Open world/sandbox games can suffer from this the worst if they don’t have a compelling narrative.
One of the best (if not the best) that wasn’t repetitive was GTA V. The story wove masterfully between characters while setting up the gameplay mechanics and worldbuilding. Just when you started to understand a certain dynamic they would yank the rug out or change directions, like having Michael’s family leave or when he and Trevor were exiled to the desert. There was almost no grinding in that game and always new things being introduced, new home bases, new characters. Same thing with RDR2. Rockstar is one of the best in the business at that.
Compare this with any open world (besides the first Crackdown) in which your only reason to explore is the collection of “X of Y” tokens found. Or grind out kills to level up. Or collect herbs, or whatever.
I think those mechanics will die the same death as quicktime events eventually. God I hated that era of gaming. Anyone who goes back to it nowadays looks foolish.