One of the things I enjoyed most about Ragnarok and Granado Espada was how you spent a lot of time in each zone and grew to love or hate the map design, its music, and its monsters.
Like as an Acolyte, you really spent a ton of time in Glastheim Churchyard. The music was intense, Mimics were the devil, you would have to Teleport away and possibly lose your progress on killing a Wraith; Evil Druids were the best EXP…you died a few times to Dark Lord. You got to sit on the cross and socialize, or join a Priest-Aco party where the acolytes all followed the Priest like little ducks and people would constantly level up.
Or in GE, you would be in each zone for roughly 10 levels. Going from the cheery fields of the Stone Pit to the freaky Al Quelt Moreza dungeon (with some of the best music in the game) instantly set the tone for the whole game. The spawn rates in AQM were perfect, and you would have to run from Cerbera until eventually you had enough gear to fight him. You would delight when you would switch channels trying to find a good spot and see a family had wiped to him while AFK so you could take their spot.
Ragnarok took the concept even further than GE since monsters also dropped cards with charming artwork and flavor text. You loved or hated most mobs in RO because the game forced you to be acquainted with all of them. And being able to tame them as vanity pets strengthened the charming monster concept.
I’ve only gotten to the 30s so far in the game, but in areas where you do lowbie questing you spend almost no time at all on those maps. Popolions and Chupacabras are adorable, but you spend maybe a couple hours in that whole area because quests level you up too fast!
And I think I remember reading somewhere that Kepas are expanded upon in the game? If not, this should be remedied. Kepas definitely need to be the new Porings, we need them all over fields throughout every level! Angelkepa, Devilkepa, Metalkepa! More monster branding!