5. Don't make the main quest timed so we can have time to explore (after removing the tadpole from our brains) .
Why remove it? It would be very cool if one of the main plot divergences happens early whereby I get to choose (or a choice happens) which leads to me being rid of it or not, choosing instead to embrace this new destiny.
The idea of having a section free from time pressure to roam freely is staple in any RPG these days. Picking up non story based side quests is key and I don't think that is something that will be left out. As fr how far one can travel and how far open world...?!
I don't need vast empty areas for the sake of travelling, I am happy with the BG concept of using a map but being interrupted with random encounters, encounters which they themselves might lead to other quests that could easily be missed by killing said encounter.
