Again the system doesn't force you to backtrack, it's an option for those who wants to get even more of the type of ingredients they would get anyways.
I'm pretty open to changes in franchises, my all time favourite game is Fallout New Vegas and that would never have been made wasn't it for Fallout 3. I really like Skyrim too, it's doesn't have that feeling Morrowind had but it's an amazing adventure game, probably the best one I've played in recent years. Also Elhaz, if the melee is the reason you can't play TES, then you're seriously missing out on something. Especially Morrowind and Skyrim, which both works great in third person (morrowind needs a bit of modding to get right). Oblivion isn't all too great.
Monk: I didn't really intend to suggest the alchemy system specifically for Underrail but wanted to point out how open the system is as a whole and who knows it might spark some changes to the way crafting works right now though I doubt it. I'm just overly fascinated by game mechanics, I can analyze and discuss those for days.