Does open world mean a weak story? (Dragon Age: Inquisition reflections)

It seems like every new major release is leaning toward a more "open world" type of setting.  I think it's great that technology has reached the point that developers can create these gorgeous, massive worlds to be our playgrounds.  On the other hand I am someone who enjoys games with a strong story and I don't feel like the two mix extremely well.  When you think back about the storyline in a game like Skyrim can you remember much about the actual story?  I know it had something to do with dragons....but oh!  There's a cave full of enemies and numerous forks to loot.

Loot everything so your house can look like this.

Can a game truly balance the strong story-telling aspects I enjoy with the enormous worlds that seem to have become standard?  I think it's a tall order and I really don't know that anyone has done it well.  I was reading this article about how Dragon Age:  Inquisition had a lot of content (a whole lot if you really tried to do everything--well over 100 hours of gameplay) but that it felt completely extraneous.  Did you really need to waste time hopping over rock outcrops to collect 1,000 ridiculously placed shards?  Or completing the plethora of step and fetch sidequests that rewarded you with a paltry sum or some other disposable piece of loot.  This article really accurately reflected the way I felt about DA:  I.   I missed the strong character development that is the hallmark of BioWare games and too often felt bogged down in exploring the huge world.  It was way too easy to spend 15 or 20 or even 30 hours completing content that had absolutely nothing to do with the main storyline.  (Read my review here)

Sera, a character from DA:I.  She's no Tali.

I've been replaying my ultimate favorite series, Mass Effect for the umpteenth time.  After feeling a little disappointed by DA:  I I decided to revisit it to feel what was missing.  I recently played through the part of ME3 that has you making the decision about saving the quarian homeworld and in the process deciding to either eliminate or save the geth.  I actually felt myself tearing up when Tali removes her mask in celebration of the quarian return to Rannoch.  The difference is that I care about what happens to the characters in Mass Effect--by the third game I felt an actual connection to them, I wanted to see a positive outcome for my crewmates.  Maybe this is part of the reason there was so much backlash after the initial ending to ME3.  It was painful saying goodbye to Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy.

I didn't feel the same way about the characters in Inquisition and that was a shame.  They are actually pretty interesting--Sera and the whole "Red Jenny" weirdness, Dorian with his troubled background in the world of Tevinter, Iron Bull and his seeming rejection of the qun.  There's so much potential there, but I just didn't feel it.  Maybe it's partially due to the fact that many of them are semi-new characters?  I think it's mostly due to the way that the open world diluted the story.  The previous games weren't completely linear, but definitely were more directed and focused on the story and the characters.

As a major BioWare game fan I have felt so conflicted about DA:  I.  I have absolutely loved their other games and have replayed through them way more than I care to admit (I have over 400 hours in Mass Effect 2--for realsies).  I just don't feel that same pull with this new game and I am blaming it on the more open world design.  There, I said it.

Would you rather have 20-30 hours of meaningful play or a massive, open world to explore?  Is there a game out there that has managed to keep the story in the forefront while also maintaining an open world?   There are also deeper questions there about the price of games.  I agree with the author of the Kotaku article about the cost of games.  Games are expensive and I want to get the most out of my $60, but does it have to be empty content plugged in for the sake of being extra content?  Would you still be willing to lay down $60 for a 20-30 hour game?  This is a really tough issue and I'm torn.