Without automap you learn through practice. The maps in EoB1 are fairly small, although the 9nth map is really the longest I think. Navigating in EoB2 is easier since most rooms have a very distinct look and feel to them. There are a lot more decorations etc in that one. It's first when you reach the later floors in the Azure Tower (or top floor in Silver Tower) that you sometimes wish you had a map.
In my opinion, my playthrough of EoB2 is more perfect, but I know that game most compared to one and three. I look forward to play EoB3 again though since it's the one I played the least number of times.
You should provide a link as clear for EoB2 than you gave for EoB1, with a list of all video for EoB2.
For the lack of map I see roughly what you mean as last years I played/replayed anyway few games with none, like Dungeon Master and Citadel but for this last one, you could find some stuff to get an in game automap for most levels. My problem is I don't have a good spacial organization, so it's not natural for me. Even if i could do a little without for both I had to map anyway. With Citadel when you can't have the automap you can use an in game tool for manual map, and for Dungeon Master I played in a window and with my very large screen I had the place to use something to make a manual map beside game window.
It's a little heavy, and honestly I'm not sure EoB1 can compare well to Dungeon Master and worth the hassle. But I see the links for AGA version mention an automap, that's amazing, for Dungeon Master I don't remember there was a faithful version with automap included.
It's strange anyway that EoB didn't included automap, or at least EoB2. Well I don't remember well when automap appeared but I believed sooner. Citadel released roughly at same date than EoB1 had an automap feature but made it a game element.
You definitely give me the urge to try again some game like that after those I currently play. The choice will be among again Dungeon Master, or EoB1, EoB2, Land of Lore 1 or 2. I think Dungeon Master had already a lot of in game objects and maze interactions for games like that and a puzzle/exploration tricks diversity including all later similar games, but have some nice graphics or try a clone instead of trying one more time DM, is appealing.
When I play the great remakes of Dragon Quest on DS, that's a piety that such games like Dungeon Master and those successors don't get a modern remake, that would be so great.
I played this one at release but not sure I ever finished it. Let watch more. 
