The story is great, but it blatantly gets in the way of the rest of the game

[hagare]

I didn't even know there is a story skip when I started, nor did I know the story would become such a bizarre obstacle to enjoying the rest of the game. I don't really want to skip the story either, I just don't want to have to feel like it's the one part of the game you absolutely have to get "out of the way" before you're free to engage with the content in any order and at any pace you want.

well it is.
If you can't be bothered to watch it in game. Skip it and youtube it.
Or unending journey it at your own time.