>>51830974you are not "forced to explore" it any more or less than previous gen's forests, it's just a different scenario to engage the exploration. 1-4 all have a forest dungeon you must clear to progress the game, you are "forced to explore" them just as well
1 and 3 have very straightforward forests with little variance, just grass in a tree dense environment. Petalburg has a single proper alt route that you can access after learning Cut and a third exit that leads to some items/berries
Viridian: one alt footpath in the midsection
Azalea: Farfetch'd quest/side area + introduction of Headbutting trees, a pond to surf and fish, side path in the northeast, also celebi's shrine
Eterna: footpath splits into different directions at the start and middle of the forest, mossy rock, and the Old Chateau. also introduces multibattles through Cheryl and has a small exterior section
Pinwheel: straightforward run through old forest, mossy rock, a couple grassy alcoves. hollowed tree trunks are neat. river for surfing + fishing, optional section to the east after beating Burgh, leads to Rumination Field for Virizion. also has large forest exterior
