The fact remains that almost all hex-grid games do have way more spaces on the board than almost any area-type game. It doesn't *have* to be that way, but it usually is.

So, although there's nothing inherently more abstract about area games, or inherently more detailed about hex-grid games, the gist of what John said is still true: the more spaces there are on a mapboard, the more movement and placement options each player has (barring rules which limit it). And if the number of game pieces (unit-counters) is roughly proportional to the number of spaces on the mapboard, the movement and placement options are multiplied. So, whether you get a "more detailed" game or not, the typical hex-grid game with lots of unit-counters does give you a more complex, intricate game (at least with respect to movement and placement of units).

Whether that's desirable or not is at least partly a matter of taste. Some tastes run to the complex, intricate hex-grid games. Mine always used to, but for the past several years I haven't had the patience for even something like Panzer General--where the computer handles setup and takes over a lot of the work--just because there are too many units and hexes to fuss with. I hate to admit it, but I'm happier with something smaller and simpler nowadays.

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