Finish the story or explore for side contents first? Act3 (spoilers)

[majinteelx]

Im at 32 hours at the game, started act 3 and there is that quest with renoir. I feel like this is the last mission and the ending is close, but there is a lot of new areas which are opened now. Im feel like if i finishing the story the exploring would be pointless after or im just dont will be that excited anymore. But if I first start exploring, I still feel like there's too much empty time between events that doesn't move me forward in the story and im just playing for another 20 hours. So i dont know what to do. I really enjoy the game but I don't know which option is the best. Isn't it weird to spend another 20-30 hours with the game after the events? Im asking those who have already played it and know what happens after the story

[Spireal]

Loyalty missions are pretty short and sweet if you haven't done them (To trigger them, speak to people at the camp to raise affinity level to level 5). Lorewise there are also the expedition logs, else it just stuff to help you farm level.

I went to the final mission at level 60 and it felt more than enough to finish the game.

You'll be able to go back to the map just before battling the final boss and also after the credits.

[JASON!]

I went straight to the ending and it felt like the right difficulty. I did this after reading that the ending was "too easy" if you do too many side quests.

Currently going through NG+ and holy hike up in difficulty. So I'd say if you plan to NG+, it's worth it for the easier final part of Act 3.

[Cogzworth]

It's like JRPGS you should go do the side content AFTER the main content. The hardest bosses are NOT in the main story. Act III isn't like the other two and is very short. The side content WILL over level you and you will just blast through the "final" boss. Maybe just beat Sprong and/or the Frozen hearts stage if you're struggling.

[Muradin]

the story is the right difficulty just after the end of act 2, it would be really easy if you do some side content. I personnally did that even tho i'm not a fan of playing after the end of story, but it was way better

[Egregious Kiwi]

The story kind of implies for you to do the side content before the final fight, that being said thats what i did and it removes any difficulty. If i could go back i'd have done the relationship quests and then went to the final boss. When you beat them you can still explore the world after so no worries about that.

[Pexaan]

for someone not very familiar with JRPGs i wish i did the main quest before the side quests. i went and did literally every island/instance in the game beside the final battle and then came back to very unfulfilling ending combat-wise, i do not know why but I thought after the final battle the game would end and i would be unable to do side content :(