Does anyone else feel betrayed as a more casual player? I don't mean in terms of difficulty, but things to do outside of competitive battles. It feels like Game Freak doesn't really care for the single player aspects of collecting and exploring anymore. The worlds feel less rich and immersive than they once did, to the point where SWSH didn't feel fun to play, just hollow and boring.
Game Freak wants to get players through the main quest as smoothly and quick as possible so you can grind the raids, without really giving you time to appreciating anything.

For example, look at Nimbassa City in gen 5. There is plenty to do in that one city alone. 2 stadiums with rematchable trainers, a battle facility, a musical feature, a ferris wheel to ride on..
But Wyndon in SWSH? Fucking nothing except housing the elite 4. It is the same with the NPCs, they only talk about the league and nothing else.