The average zone size is too large IMO

I feel like in POE2 vs POE1 there are a lot of really gigantic zones, maybe I'm not remembering POE1 right but it felt like the zones were smaller.

I think the pacing of the storyline can get too slow with huge zone after huge zone.

The layout of the zones may also be more the problem than the size. So many of them are just gigantic squares rather than a more linear "path" type zone.

I think having a few more smaller, directed zones mixed in with the larger open area zones would make the storyline pacing feel better and add variety.

+1, especially in A3. It's a nightmare.

Also, the vast majority of endgame maps are ridiculously huge.

+1