It would be nice to see some of these changes (especially with NPCs), but I think you've failed to realize this is an MMO world, even though it's not technically an MMO game, so the world has to stay the same for the most part. I didn't get into exploring right away, but then I decided to actually start looking around, and I mean around every rock and corner, in/around structures and over cliffs. To the point I didn't let high level enemies stop me. I found a lot of loot and ghost, but I also had fun jumping/running around places nobody really dared to go; found hidden places I missed and even found a bugged wall right in the open but nobody could see from below. The only issue I had was invisible walls stopping me from getting to places. Not to mention that public events and those random occasions when stronger enemies come pouring out of their spawns seemingly without end (not sure what to call it), exist to address some of your issues. Maybe you've experienced these things in the 5-6 times you went and it's just not enough for you to see the same places again. Then the only thing I can say is, since it's just a beta hopefully it might get better by launch or months after.