[maxxk]

It is arguable whether 2x LOC reduction is worth it. But 5x LOC reduction on the same technology stack kind of changes the complexity category of the code base. 2kLOC (borderline trivial application) is almost always easier to maintain than 12kLOC (small application) — as 60kLOC would be easier to maintain than 12kLOC.

This is valid, of course, only for comparable code, not taking into account obfuscation, complete removal of tests, etc.