Honestly, I'm rather enjoying this game. I only found it recently, so my hype level never skyrocketed like some folk.
I love exploration games. I don't mind a grind focused on exploration and then upgrades. I find the game rather relaxing! I also so much prefer games that are not online multiplayer. The only online game I play regularly is Splatoon and that hardly even counts because it's multiplayer is basically single player with humans instead of bad AI. (No voice chat, no advanced matchmaking, etc... just click play, get thrown on a random team and fight.)
Yeah many of the planets feel samey, but every once in a while you find a true gem of a world and it's just fantastic. Scenic vistas, weirdly interesting flora & fauna... just super relaxing to pander around looking for the resources I need to get some upgrade. I love it. There's also
this article which some people are claiming was a paid review, but whatever. It sums up many of my thoughts on the game.
Oh, and my kids are just in AWE at being able to fly around the universe. Can't really beat the fun that comes from my kids getting really into watching me play the game.