I have to disagree with this and say that the smaller areas with more stuff is better.
Having to spend 30 minutes just running from one quest to the next is an annoying colossal waste of time.
The fact that the maps in BG3 are 'small', yet contain so much stuff and the game lasts as long as it does means you always have something to do without wasting time running around.
One of the Final Fantasy MMO's top reason for negative reviews was how empty the game world was. Massive maps with nothing in them, and there were loads of meme videos and gifs of sped up running around for ages until finally you found something interesting.
Which is boring and crap and no one enjoys it. So many developers just create huge maps devoid of any content to make the game look bigger. Instead its simply underwhelming, lacklustre and boring.
Then by your take, why even have a world to explore? Why have a map even?
We should just click on locations, fight, get the loot and move on?
I am 100% people here are not saying to make a HUGE empty map that takes 30 minutes to travel. They are saying, SPACE THINGS OUT a little more. This isnt a Witcher/Zelda game but a top down RPG. I wouldn't of minded a wilderness zone in between the crash site and the druid cove that adds a bit more of a living WORLD to explore. A world which as distances and time, something that adds a bit more immersion. If you do not care for that, just fast travel to you heart's content.
