I remember when they announced this game and my inerest plummeted when I heard they had fast travel from the beginning.
My personal no-hope-for-souls moment.

Looking back on what From did afterwards I think it's clear they do not intend to ever make something like the first half of DaS. This has gone on for so long the original community who despised this shit has almost completely fizzed away and the majority now considers it "tedious" to no be able to warp or change stats.

Given what Nightreign is it's clear From is headed the same path as all successfull studios. The next thing in line will be microtransactions and the community who started Souls at DaS3 or later will defend this.