I've actually played most of those, excluding Soma Bringer and the Shin Megami games (currently playing IV). I suppose I meant more in the art design. of the towns than anything else. I'm currently in Jude's hometown and it just came across as quaint - somewhere I'd like to live. The places are definitely lifeless, though. But I enjoy the art style.
Really? I thought the Last Story was rather empty as well. Though perhaps I didn't do much in the way of exploring outside of the plot in that one. I wanted it out of the way for Xenoblade. Also, I'm blown away that you finished Dawn of the New World. I could barely start that garbage! Hell, at least Xillia has an actual game world to explore. Dawn of the New World just had that map. It felt...*unclean*, haha.