Does anyone else think open-world maps are now too big?

[mame]

Little more than a passing thought really but even now I could find my way around much of GTA 3's city. Because of its size it was pretty memorable and felt like you were there and that added to the open world feel to it for me that I would know where I wanted to go to next AND know the way there. With with newer games such as GTA 4, Saints Row the Third, Sleeping Dogs etc, The map is a size that my brain just chooses not to try and remember it and I just use the Satnav feature (another factor)

Not a big moan, just a thought

 

[mame]

I don't think they're too big, but since I played GTA IV I've never really remembered much of the maps because of the GPS (IV was the first main game I played that had it), just no need to so it doesn't happen. So long as the quality keeps up, maps can continue increasing in size and I'll be happy.

Well that's what I'm getting at. Now, when I accept a mission and the marker comes up at 3000 metres away, it just seems a separate chore that I drive and follow the markers. I don't really take much in and the driving is just something I have to do. It just seems, to me, a bit of a waste that I'm not taking in the open-world environment that I loved on smaller maps where I would know most of the streets and routes. I'm just blasting through the map as quick as I can to get to the next mission.