I think the distinction is that chores feel like you have to do it and hate it. A grind is inevitable in all games. But you are excited to do it for the outcome.
I pumped up all the rates and soared through it. Finished it, and have no reason to look back. Did the same with Enshrouded shortly after as well. I don't regret buying it, it was fun - but it's definitely a shallow game gatekept by a grind.
Palworld is best experienced in multiplayer imo. Single player is boring, but when you’ve got friends around it becomes a social event and it’s more fun to work through a lot of things and go adventuring together