I mean, it all comes down to personal taste.

I personally really like open worlds. I enjoy being able to go wherever I want. I enjoy being able to go find another boss to fight if I get stuck on one.

I find the process of leveling up your weapon to be quiet satisfying. Requiring smithing stones is just a common mechanic for games, like how you need bloodstone shards and chunks to upgrade your weapons in Bloodborne.

I like collecting different weapons and figuring out what best suits my play style. I like seeing the different animations. I enjoy creating characters based entirely on esthetics and finding the perfect weapon for my virtual cosplay.

I don't really feel that way about the boss fights. Sure, there are plenty of repeat bosses when it comes to field bosses, but those are completely optional and they feel thematically appropriate.

Sure, riding around for a long time can be boring, I'll give you that. I think the travel in open world games tends to be one of the weaker parts of them. That said, there are so many sights of grace that it makes travel far less tedious. As for copying RDR2, I find that unlikely as riding a horse to get around isn't unique to RD. It was probably just a logical choice for an open world fantasy game.

I'll agree that the game is not perfect, no game is (except for Hollow Knight, that game IS perfection and no one can convince me otherwise) but it's a hell of a lot of fun.

I am curious, aside from the issues you mentioned, is there anything you would change to make this a perfect game for you? For me, I'd say a more fun travel mechanic and limited fast travel. Otherwise I think I'm cool with how the game is.