Lifelong fan of the Zelda series and the changes you mentioned were why I enjoyed my time with BOTW as a game, but the failure to meet my expectations as a Zelda title were a constant disappointment.

While I'm hesitant to call any Zelda title a metroidvania, I'd they're pretty close neighbors at worst. Open world that is blocked off by item/equipment gates.

BOTW felt like an Elder Scrolls game, which isn't bad, but it definitely didn't feel like any Zelda game before it.