I'm of the opinion that what works works, regardless of it being an old idea or a new one. It's less about something being old or new, but HOW they use it/utilize it. I'm open to anything as long as it's done right and it's beneficial to the game. Whatever allows us to have the best presentation of the world, story, or is beneficial to exploration and gameplay, so be it. That's why I'm still open to turn-based experiences. I'm not asking for a slow turn-based battle system, but if they can find a new way to spin it and it works, I'm game.
I'm thinking areas will be cut into zones, but the progression from zone to zone will be seamless. They won't even have to hide the transition/loading like Noctis squeezing his way through the cave with the goblins in it. I think zones were always somewhat of a thing in Square's mind since FFVII. You always had "areas" or regions you were in while exploring the world map. "Gold Saucer Area", for example. FFVIII and onward used specific names for regions. FFVIII had Alcauld Plains, Monterosa Plateau, Dino Desert, Thor Penninsula, and such. FFIX had Lucid Plains, Hadris Basin, Vube Desert, Popos Heights, Magdalene Forest, and so on. Now, traveling through those regions on the world map is a nothing burger, but I've always imagined them to be those worlds' unique regions not unlike FFX's Calm Lands, Mi'ihen Highroad, Thunder Plains, FFXII's Giza Palins, Tchita Uplands, Phon Coast, or FFXI and FFIVX's various regional zones. THAT would be what you call a "natural progression" of an older concept made into a full realization through gameplay and exploration.
And I'm aware bad stories and exploration can come from zone-based and ultra-linear games, but writing it off just because your preference doesn't mean you can't also do good things with something zone-based. I'm at least open to open-world if they do it right. Sure, people liked FFXV's world, but I didn't and I have yet to be convinced that Square can "do it right". Who knows, maybe Forspoken will be MY answer to THAT question regarding that kinda exploration. I am open to giving it a chance. It's generally depends on what you like. It's why I can hate my experience with FFXIII, while others can love theirs.
