I think the thing I loved most about the map in Origins is how the scale and human functionality make sense.This is brilliant news then, as these long gaps allows thier talented teams to really reshape the series in drastic ways.
- Crouch to stealth (game changer)
- RPG progression (love that it encourages side quests to reach level barriers)
- UI
- Combat (far from perfect but much more challenging and definitely in the right direction)
I'm still playing Origins , ive not been able to play Yakuza 6/Monster Hunter/God of War because I'm obsessed with the world they've built, it perhaps for me one of the greatest representation of a culture, land and people in any game created, and exploring this land is a sublime experience.
I adore Bayek, his moral compass is clear as well, so happy to see him return.
Example:
Pick any Military or Bandit base. You'll have/see areas in which the AI sleeps, patrols, stores food and items (although we don't see them doing this often), prison cells/cages, pratice ranges, general hangout places in the base and more.
What I mean to say is that for once you can actually imagine humans living/using those bases, cities, etc because they actually make damn sense from a scale and functionality perspective. Not all of course, but for the most part, I feel they nailed this aspect right on it's head. And that makes a world of difference in terms of immersion (for me at least) as I can clearly picture the world for myself.
It's perhaps a "small" detail, but one that for me makes or breaks how real a world is.