I think EQOA was my favorite MMO in this field, actually all fields. EQOA didn't have maps period and a giant seamless world and you could easily run across the world 100 times and you just may see something different every trip. Ofcourse it wasn't the prettiest game but because of that the game world was amazing. When you gave directions to someone you had to use reference points like the peak of a mountain or a certain type of tree or an area you come across with a certain monster camp and use cardinal directions. Exploring in that game was so rewarding because there wasn't a map, also they had stage coaches that would take you to certain destinations after you unlocked them but they would never take you fully across the map and the game made you run parts of the trip.

I would love for FFXIV to be this way but with so many copy pasted things that would make it near impossible to get around. Too bad I guess.