Was that one Insane version? I'm playing that currently, and I swear the caves and forests are...are... :colonveeplusalpha:
Both World Link and Another World are grindfests.
World Link has stupid levels in general, with the final area being filled with Lv 100 'Zforms', which are normally unobtainable massivly overpowered [Read: 900+ BST] versions of certain characters.
Another World isn't *as* bad but still hits 100 by the end, and there are some really BS fights. Like against Reimu, who has a Lv 28 ZReimu. With perfect coverage. [Although it has no STAB, it's a
type, so no weaknesses or resistances... but it has levitate]
ZReimu's BST is insane. And you'll only have 2nd forms to fight her, not even Ex forms, unless it's something like Chen. And even that requires overleveling.
I usually grind to 36+ to fight her. And that's because I abuse Mirror Coat Sanae.
That said, the complete lack of anywhere to grind for Brock [Vs.Seeker can't be used in forests] afterwards means that grinding to ~36 for Reimu actually makes things easier.