>>37226547Size-wise you actually end up getting something on par with the past two gens (Kanto, and Johto separately) if you do ignore the optional routes. Beelining to Mossdeep, Sootopolis, the cave, Sky Pillar (only in Emerald) and then Ever Grande (from Mossdeep) is a pretty quick ordeal, especially compared to what you do on land.
The real problem Hoenn has are its encounter rates, making it go from a pretty good region to something rather annoying to get around without Fly. Even on land it was Zigzagoon hell. The region design itself is mostly fine, with a fair share of both optional land routes and optional water ones. 