I always thought a completely vertical map would be cool. Like the side of a steep and giant cliff face that people have built narrow pathways into or things to climb up, and small shacks as outposts. Its more up and down rather than horizontal.
A big town with levels. Like midgar. Shops on different levels upwards. Not just zones next to each other.
A forest you can get lost in. The ones we have have clear and open pathways So don't feel quite as forresty.
A place where the forrest meets the sand?
I dunno. The areas we do have, although varied, do feel kind of small?
