The scale of items need to be fit well, the view distances of places need to be well linked. An open world area and a sense of exploration by creating township islands, vistas and cues. You really needed to 'get lost' in those environments, a feeling of will this never end.
The implementation of tangents should be considered as even though you'd might be on a mission to go visit someone, what happens along that journey should also be considered. Afterall, this will break up the grindy nature of some places.
A day and night cycle based on how many suns / moons / planets are visible with the environment. Weather effects be they rain, fog, gas and gravity held liquids eg water should also be incorporated to give a sense of reality and also a hindrance to the player.
The implementation of tangents should be considered as even though you'd might be on a mission to go visit someone, what happens along that journey should also be considered. Afterall, this will break up the grindy nature of some places.
A day and night cycle based on how many suns / moons / planets are visible with the environment. Weather effects be they rain, fog, gas and gravity held liquids eg water should also be incorporated to give a sense of reality and also a hindrance to the player.
Likes:
Pandagnome