I did the exact same thing Torillian. I haven't bothered with most of the combat save a few areas that are fun (vineyard) skip all the optional minigames, and don't get lost. Somehow you blazed through doing more, and getting lost. Everyone I know who didn't get lost, and also didn't bother with side quests took longer as well. It doesn't add up.
That paragraph is inaccurate for one. The power is gravity, not teleknises. Secondly, it also doesn't cover other aspects of the combat. You can actively hurt yourself by combining bones. Certain enemies when captured will heal, or act as a projectile.
Also, combat has a reward in the parts for new equipment. I don't bother most of the time, but pieces do drop when I get around to it. Completely pointless is entirely inaccurate.