I've played it. It's quite possible. Yes, it's more convenient with it, but it's not at all necessary to have it.
:D

If we go by these conditions, then it's not necessary to have magic at all. Playing on such a map, even with "astral gates," took about two weeks (not in-game time).

If the game is not against the AI, but against a human, I don't understand even more. Neither of them has astral gates => they are on equal terms. Saving time? Just don't generate XL maps, and you'll save time, haha.
:D

I don't see anything funny about it. And it's not about saving time, but about the fact that I (and people like me) like to play maps where you can, let's say, go wild and feel the opposition. Build a huge army, try to collect a collection of dragons, develop to level 35 (with an experience multiplier of 1). This is fun for me. And I'm not the only one. Why deprive a part of the audience by removing this spell?

Generate a map of maximum size, and then jump all over it with gates, without even clearing it => this is the whole point of the game. No, I can't understand it, unfortunately :D

Okay. Let's agree that you generate a "fantastic with an underground lair" map in "Heroes 7" and play it with someone. And finish it. And then tell me how long it took you to play this game and how much you enjoyed playing such a map without "astral gates." Do we have a deal?