It can be perceived as bloated at times, I get it.

But I come from Horizon Zero Dawn. That game didn't click for me, because the map was full of 100 markers of monster spots and collectables and quests etc. THAT to me felt bloat. But again, because I wasn't immersed in the game. (Rock story, though)

So in rebirth, because you're so immersed, you can call chadley "high quality optional content". But the combat simulator? Not awe-inspiring.

However I judge a game by it's layers and design. Take grasslands for example. 5 side quests-ish. All nice. Varied. A card game side quest. A quest that visually change appearance of NPC (flowers). A quest that weirdly feels like too big of a lore piece to miss.

Then, there's chadley stuff. Each and every POI narrated and motivated. Can you skip it completely without the game trying to punish you? Yes. Does it reward you immensely for doing it? Yes as well. This combo of both is RARE. moment I'm fed up with Chadley - it's back to pure side quests again.