How important is crafting in this game (compared to other aspects)?

A quick newb question if you don't mind.

Id like to know how big is the crafting part in the game compared to other aspects?

Me and my coop-partner are very interested in the game. I read a little bit and watched a few let's plays. From what i understand there is some kind of attack/horde spawn every 7 days which is coming to your location/base and you have to defend it. I find this concept very cool and the landscape and big locations look great. However we are not too big into crafting rather than exploring, scavenging, fighting, and general surviving. I saw some let's plays and people had huge inventories and crazy bases. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with crafting and i don't want to criticize peoples play style! It's just staying in base for 6 hours or grinding for the 8th layer of wall upgrade is just not our thing.

Thank you

edit: Thank's for the comments so far. I figure my question is actually kinda stupid. It's pretty obvious from watching the Youtubes that crafting is very essential and extensive in this game which doesn't really fit our taste. Thank you anways for the heads up (: