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.

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 don't think 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.