After like 9 hours into the game I still can't figure out whether or not the game's RPG mechanics are backheavy (FFXII) or front heavy (Dark Souls). I'm tearing through the game but just hit a sidequest with really highly leveled enemies that I couldn't do much damage to unless I just waylay them for multiple mins. Neither is really a problem for me or anything, just need to know if I should change focus a little because I went into it expecting a totally front heavy game that was barely if at all reliant on its backend systems.
Also, what's the deal with materials? I need a bunch of stuff to upgrade my pod and weapons that I have no idea where in the world I'm supposed to pick this stuff up at. I put a like +30 drop rate on my rig but still don't even hit the lvl1 upgrade requirements for the pod...?
Should I just dump off everything that says "can be sold for money", or should I hold onto some for quest purposes? Also, should I dump all the text materials for cash? Like the tech books, dictionaries, and such. The game doesn't have the "can be sold for money" detail on them but I've got a ton of them just sitting in my inventory that don't seem to have any other usage.