Honestly I really don't like that in most open world games, mostly cause enemy levels tend to make it feel like I'm just as powerful at lvl 1 as at lvl 40. Bethesda games post Morrowind are particularly bad about this IMO, not to say you can't have leveled shit just don't do it to all the enemies, do it like NV where some enemies are leveled but most are flat preset levels.

I disagree. I hate when games do this, particularly open world ones. The point of going to find loot and stuff is that it benefits you. If there is no benefit then the game shouldn't give you the option. Those games should be linear, because they're trying to make a linear experience out of something non-linear.

If I'm struggling, I want to be able to leave and come back stronger. Even if I wasn't, I want to come back and feel that I've gained power with the time I spent. If I don't, I know I'm wasting my time.

Yes! It helps if it is clear the bad guy has been doing things as well. (Aren't there a few games where the bad guy moves locations with this, so if one is really fast, they can catch them rather weak.)

That's so fucking lazy by the gamedesigner, and takes away all the fun too IMO.

Imagine scaling enemies by actual player skill needed to defeat them, instead of just 'my number more big than your number'.