I also love the Hinterlands, but you and I are in the vast minority based on the initial feedback to Inquisition. It was super common to hear “just push past the Hinterlands, it’s so much better afterwards”. Even more generally, I’ve been hearing “why are all the devs making all their games open world for no reason?”
I’m also an open-world junkie because I love exploration. I’m saddened by this design choice, but I do completely understand where it comes from. It can still be done well and I love the lore of Thedas, so I’ll be there to see, I guess.
I think the real issue is the large, typically procedurally generated, open worlds that feel empty. Even BOTW lacks a lot of substance to the world they built (villages feel smaller and less important, little/no ovwrworld secrets, etc.). I think games like God of War did a good job of openish worlds with some exploration, but still crafted.
I also love the Hinterlands, but you and I are in the vast minority based on the initial feedback to Inquisition. It was super common to hear “just push past the Hinterlands, it’s so much better afterwards”. Even more generally, I’ve been hearing “why are all the devs making all their games open world for no reason?”
I’m also an open-world junkie because I love exploration. I’m saddened by this design choice, but I do completely understand where it comes from. It can still be done well and I love the lore of Thedas, so I’ll be there to see, I guess.
I think the real issue is the large, typically procedurally generated, open worlds that feel empty. Even BOTW lacks a lot of substance to the world they built (villages feel smaller and less important, little/no ovwrworld secrets, etc.). I think games like God of War did a good job of openish worlds with some exploration, but still crafted.