Yeah, that about lines up with what I've read. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it overall, but the pacing feels odd. Though I do need to keep reminding myself that this was patch content released in batches over 11 months or something, and I'm playing through the lot in the space of a fortnight or something, so of course the pacing feels wrong.
I had a look for other recommended things to do at 50 alongside the MSQ, and I've just started the Hildibrand quest line. It's amazing!
It's the kind of tonal shift that I'd expect to see in one of the Yakuza games side quests, and it's the perfect diversion from the more serious MSQ side of things. A little disappointed that Nashu changed out of her inspectors outfit, though.