Well, I’ve studied human-machine interaction and indeed too many options can affect a user’s interaction with the program. Don’t seem to recall the exact numbers, but there is a range to the optimal number of options in a menu. 5 to 7 options, maybe? Too many options, iirc, increase the time they take to process the options, even in menus they might be familiar with.

Not ideal: one huge menu with all options inside.

Also not ideal: too many small submenus.

Find a balance. Not all vertical, but also not all horizontal, nested menus

If I find the material, I’ll update the comment.