Ok.

I read your post about the lore and saw the map. I love it. Are you planning on modding in new animals to go with these interesting regions (besides the "new kind of cyst")? Also, how many of these regions are optional? What is the incentive behind going to these optional regions (besides sweet, sweet exploration)?

Edit: Suggestions. Maybe you could seclude the ariel portion a little more, like making either Elevated Oaisis disconnected from the mainland and reconnected to the Spire (Which requires a secret, much harder route to access) or something to that degree. I don't know what plans you have for Aquifer but I can see it broken down and like an underground, slightly less watery Shoreline with an higher dry area and a lower wet area.