There’s a tutorial when you first sign into GNOME which shows you where to go.
Consider this: Is it obvious that the four-square logo on Windows is the start menu? It is if someone told you or if you spent your whole life on Windows. It’s not if you come from macOS (which has no main menu per se) or you’re unfamiliar with computers.
Besides, the new indicator does exactly what’s written on the tin: it shows you your virtual desktops when you click on the preview of which virtual desktop you’re on.