On the contrary, I'm glad this is shaping up to be consistantly challenging, and not a grind-fest.
I'm finding it well worth it to approach encounters slowly, not just run my party in. Split the party, get some chars hidden or send others to cover or higher ground.
I recently had a go replying Neverwinter Nights, and that was more grind than I remembered. One crazed thug, two crazed thugs, two crazed thugs and a dog.... went to mow a meadow
