''Exploitless'' gameplay

Hey all,

I'm a beginner at this game, got something like 70h or so. I generally don't like reading guide and looking at videos of a game I'm discovering, but the mid-game seems way too intricate and overwhelming for little old me without much guidance.

I tried looking at a couple videos online, but everyone seems to be using half-exploits in their gameplay which feels cheezy or at the very least very unesthetic. I'm thinking : water locks, floors made of ladders, ranches with doors so that the critters stay near the entry.

Is a playthrough using only the intended mechanics possible? Will it be a slog all the way?

Any advice or insight is appreciated.

Cheers,

Zachin