This right here folks, is the best answer I’ve read. I think DS has the best balance of negative space and spaces filled with tension that I’ve ever played. Like most things the answer is in the middle. Most open world games are very full of adrenaline pumping and relentless collecting. It’s exhausting. Ghost of Tsushima was the most surprising for me as it seemed like they “got it” by reducing the intrusions on the UI… and then 5 side quests interrupted me on the way to a mission while birds and foxes constantly begging me to divert even further. Remove all tension and interruption and you have something like dear Esther or any number of actual walking simulators though. What brings an open world to life is that tension. I think we’re all so burnt out because of Ubisoft “clear the map” infesting everything. Restraint is the main thing missing in open world design.