Yeah, the experience is quite different if RNG favors you.
I'm at 169 gildings after being at it since September, I've seen how RNG affects a run. When RNG is on your side you get Gems quickly and can afford upgrades without falling behind on unlocking regions. When RNG is against you it's a struggle to unlock the next region without wasting rolls on Lovers.
With all Mystics, most of the time I was able to buy 2 upgrades before unlocking regions but some times RNG decided to draw Commons and forced me to delay upgrades. At some point I gilded 4 Epics and 2 Legendaries of starter regions to concentrate their draws, that helped in general but did little when RNG didn't draw those tiers.
I advise against gilding everything. It's not worth it, the game is not meant to be completed that way. I regret getting it into my head to do it. I should have stopped after proving gilding a full region lets you ascend without unlocking it.
Heed my warning! Stop either when you complete the gallery or when you complete Mystics. Gild only if you really want to play trough again.