Lots of clicking to everything being closed. Eliminate 95% of the empty squares and just have the path you click on go directly to where you want to go. Have a wait function to progress time if you include restrictive time windows of access to places. Have a go home function to rest or sleep. Game needs these to avoid too much grind.
On the release of this version, I specifically stated that the open world factor is still being worked on mainly because the current version does not have much content after the intro. I also stated that quick travel will be a thing, where you'll be able to skip any actual movement for those who don't like that.
For the other point you mention, there's quite literally a skip time function embedded right into the user interface that you can use in majority of places.