Yes they are pretty much similar with Miasma Wendigo that you have to distribute it carefully among characters who needed the most.
Usually "Grind level out of thin air" is not how to correctly say it but, they don't grant EXP you earn it by completing missions related to the main storyline of the game, before you reach Hioni your level gap will remain stuck at level 3 until you find and recruit Gouki which he later have 1 level gap above you.
Leveling up only gives the character a small significant of boost on overall skills and powers.
Like what Lord Rutsah said that he is trying to make a new method of gameplay by removing the leveling systems, and make more dependent on skill tree based gameplay and tactics.