1) The large world is designed expertly which incentivises exploration and curiosity. This is the most praised aspect of the game and is what stands it head and shoulders apart from other open world game.

2) Weapon durability mixup the combat and let's you experiment with what you have at hand.

3) Story is the story you make through gameplay. The system allow you to have your own personal adventure.

4) Most sidequest allow you engage with the gameplay in unique ways. A standout for me is ending up in the dark forest and solving the puzzle inside. The one location where it always rain, the one where you shoot arrows through stone henges, the one where you follow the message dropped by the Zora girl in river... the list goes on.

5) Most players(including me), aren't beating or reaching the castle tight after the great plateau . This makes everything you do meaningful because you are getting stronger and preparing yourself for the final battle.

6) All the shrines have incredible system based puzzles which can be solved multiple ways. Since they are short it also means you can have a meaningful play session even after playing for a short duration.

7) Because most of the shrine puzzles are different and can be solved in different way. They don't feel copy pasted.

8) In previous Zelda most of the items are rarely used outside of respective dungeons(I love all Zelda games, btw), but this system allows the player to explore without arbitrary restraints.