I have no opinions just yet mostly enjoying the sights. My main issue with the main game was less the large world but more the copy paste mines/catacombs/bosses everywhere that got really boring really fast. As long as it doesn't have that I'm fine, i really enjoy traversing the overworld otherwise. Oh and the ~~legacy dungeons~~ heroes graves were actually really shit. Oh look some annoying run and hide from the stupid chariot thing copy pasted over and over why tf.

i'm finding that after Mohg, this area is a relaxing introduction, and I think a lot of underlevelled newbs that just beat Mohg after 3 hours because they rolled three crits in a row are going to enjoy that respite.

Also as someone who enjoys the lore I like being able to get a sense of where and when the setting is (mostly pre-early crucible era dancing beast architecture as expected, but that big tunnel is draconic. Also Tarnished Archaeologist is going to have a field day with the churches showing Goddess Marika and not the ablutions-era Marika seen in the og game opening church.) It's nice sometimes to just enjoy the world.