The map in Elden Ring is huge, much larger than in other open world games I've played... Assassin's Creed and Zelda.
Elden Ring uses compression and expansion of spaces, to make areas feel bigger or smaller, and to create a sense of flow. It's shifting between massive natural open world areas, that reward exploration, and more enclosed, dense cities and castles, where paths loop back and then it's easy to get lost.
The contrast between open and enclosed areas alleviates the typical game playing monotony and creates different levels of tension when playing. Exploring the open world allows freedom of movement, but enclosed indoor areas limit movement and ratchet up tension, as enemies pop out anywhere.
I like this mix of open and enclosed areas. Because the open world enhances the feeling of exploring dangerous indoor areas, especially after experiencing the freedom of the running around outdoors.