I partly agree but I think you're being reductive about SOTC open world. It did serve as an open field to get you from one boss encounter to the next. But it's not like it was devoid of any meaningful architecture or thought provoking landscapes. The moments of clarity between bosses, reflecting on what's been happening throughout the game, while travelling horseback through forests, fields, canyons and seasides is what I thought was conveyed well in the open world of shadow, and I had a similar sense of atmosphere from the Elden Ring CNT.

The open world is definetely not the crux of what made shadow great, but the atmosphere and moments of solace built into the world design can't be overstated. Something Miyazaki definetely took note of.