Just think about latency problems for the audio engine when allowing that much inserts,
if mixing is then hindered then we all completely miss the point.
As for sound design, you’re just being lazy.
It’s normal to have sub stages where a partial desired state is reached,
from there on you have 8 inserts again, you need to bounce in between.
When back in the days there where only 4 track available didn’t stop anyone to make hits 
Cubase is a composing and mixing tool mostly, yes you can do sound design, but sawing the feet a good chair because the only purpose is sound design is a bit to much if you ask me.
And you can still have 16 inserts by using buses.