I feel like we as gamers have lost the ability to communicate without resorting to making hyperbolic (exaggerated) statements.
However, I get what you guys are talking about, there is a lack of "white space" in the game. That is areas where nothing is really going on, also called "framing areas" without which it gives the impression of things being piled on top of one another.
Now compare this to CD project Red's The Witcher 3. There was a LOT going on in Velen, more than ACT I of this game, but it was also spread out over a MUCH larger area with lots of open "framing space" and there were regulars joe-shmoe peasants roaming about being murdered in various ways, but sometimes just staying out of the way and farming.
I mean, not to be snarky, but that is just the style Larian employs. It was like that in both DOS games. As a stylistic choice it has its upsides and downsides. On the upside it reduces travel time, all areas are important so there is no confusion about where you should be careful and when you can goof-off, the dungeon construction and how different areas tie into each other feels more organic. The underdark has 4 entrances from the topside that correspond in physical distance to the areas undergrounds. On the downside it feels a little claustrophobic at times. Where are the random peasants to terrify? Where did Mayrina and her imbecile brothers even come from?
There is a telescope on the druid grove, they can't see the blighted village and what's going on there? They should at that distance. Yet the mercenary band just walked right up to the front door, no plan, got slaughtered/captured? Amateurs.
