This is true, but I also think horizon is a smaller world than BOTW. Yesterday I wanted to make my way through an covered part of the map and after running like 20-30 seconds there is almost always something in your path. A patrol of watchers, a new nest of robots, or worse. I kept getting pulled into a new fight or something to collect right smack in the middle of that herd. So I have to commend them, you can't walk far without encountering something to fight or collect, whether you want to is up to you though.
I am about 40 hours in 64% done with 13 main missions (11 side quests and like 8 errands) completed, I don't know how many the game has but I think I haven't even gotten half way with the main story I am so distracted by just hunting.