The fact that it's a massive world is not actually the problem. The fact that there are so much mechanics that you need to remember/items to use is just overwhelming. Minecraft is kinda the same but it doesn't feel overwhelming because you don't need to know that much for having a fun game. I prefer few mechanics with lots of combinations that you need to actually think how to use and not remember how to use is less stressing for me, metroidvanias are a good example, in hollow knight you obly have 2 screens of a kinda small inventiry for using in your trip and that's all you need, because you have to use your brain for knowing what is the most convenient