Portal Unlocks (Spoilers within)

I've been enjoying the gameplay and experience that Mirthwood provides. The setting is interesting, and many mechanics feel fresh and new, even though outside sources inspire them. However, of all the experiences the game provides, the process of unlocking the portals makes it hard to keep playing. It's just not fun and doesn't feel like it adds anything but pointless grind.

I would suggest replacing the current process with more specific resource requirements rather than standard environmental resources (that don't make much sense). I suggest obtaining items from specific boss fights or quest arcs that will give you an item that unlocks each portal. Alternatively, have the portals unlocked when you activate the statue and provide a more fleshed-out experience within each realm.

Am I the only one having this experience with this part of the game? I don't normally mind grinding in games, and I've been content with getting the necessary tools to obtain the necessary resources. The actual process of opening these statues feels boring and unfun.

I'm fighting my way through it, but after hours of playing the game, this step is making it hard for me to boot it up and grind through it.