Sorry to hear that, but so far i've never felt that way about the game.
I've always encountered something to do along the way.
I've encountered mongol caravans and soldiers, bandids, villagers that needed to be rescued, new places to explore, etc...
One thing I really love is that when you rescue someone, they tell you what is happening in different places along the island leading you into a new adventure instead of always being another main character in the story.
For me it makes the game world more believable and makes everything feel more natural.