Is the openworld meant for exploring, like pre-Starfield Bethesda game? Yeah i love those.

Is the openworld crafted only for wasting player time, like Ubisoft game? Nah.

Is the openworld crafted as a backstage for the main story but also can be explored, like GTA franchise? Yeah, those are nice.

Is the openworld only used as a backstage for the main story that doesn’t encourage exploration because it conflict with player urgency, like Metro Exodus? I’d rather not.