Whoa, there! ... I believe XII was a pretty late release.
That aside, I know what you mean. It would be near impossible (probably) to use a world map system like in previous FF's with the detail of the PS2 gen. games.
I also agree that the previous games gave (at least) the feeling of more freedom. XII is "less linear" than X - by that I mean the spaces you move around in, not the gameplay or anything - but it sill felt, to me, to be sort of closed-in.
There are some areas that are pretty large: Phon Coast, Tchita Uplands, etc., but a lot of the areas felt tight and "chlaustrophobic": Salikawood, Golmore Jungle, Feywood, etc.
The areas are large, but the space you move around in feels kind of constricted to me.
I think it's just the feeling of looking down on the world and seeing half of a continent within your view. It just "feels" more open.





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