Mapping Plains

The first area in my game are plains. You know, flat places of land and grass:

If I remember learning anything from reading about mapping, it's that empty maps are bad. Then again, so are maps cluttered with things. Plains would not transfer well in 2D map form for an RPG. At least I don't think so. When I think of plains in 2D top-down RPGs, I can't remember any.

They used world maps instead, didn't they?

I thought about just doing that instead, despite my loathing of world maps. I realize that I don't have the graphics to make everything I want fit together. For example, there are no auto-tiles using Celiana's parallax grass for water, beaches, and other miscellaneous, related things. I could use a different type of grass I suppose.

The question I bring up is, how would you deal with mapping such a plain area?

Yes, the pun was intended. If the pun was existent at all.

There's a lot you can still do!

- Variation in terrain detail (ex. different grass patterns, patches of dirt)

- Individual plants, bushes, flowers, rocks, boulders all add detail

- Small animals like butterflies create movement

- Small elevations (low cliffs, small fences)

The problem with big bare maps isn't that they're missing objects, but that they're missing detail. As long as you add something different that the eye can focus on - even if it's just a patch of dirt - it won't look empty. :)

I remember my boyfriend suggesting that stuff as well.

Now what's a good thing to do if you don't know what clashes as far as graphics to go? I wonder if I should re-color things so I can use them better.

I still wish I had examples of mapped plains. o.o