Now, I don't know the guys at RPGnet but I'm guesing that "throwing realism out the window" is more of a "provocation" than a real statement - there is no reason for a map to be unrealistic to be used for 4e ... its more about catering to the needs of 4e combat, ie having some elements that makes it more fun to fight. The two lasts fights we had in 4e was in a standard cave complex, and in a town square - so nothing really special there - could just as easily had been used for any other game system.