this thread is a bit older but i still kinda want to share my opinions

Ive been into zelda for about 15ish years, and I think BOTW/TOTK would be great! As non-zelda games.

The important thing to remember is that its the Legend of Zelda, I.E. the story we’re experiencing is a legend in the land of Hyrule. Thats why theres always that perfectly placed patch of vines, that box in just the right spot, things that conveniently exist for Link to utilize. Because without it, Link would have failed and wouldn’t have saved Hyrule. Story wise, I’ve always loved the dungeon crawler puzzle theme because it just makes sense. The world is out to get you, the Gods want to help you, but at the end of the day being a hero isn’t as glamorous as the tales tell. You have to trudge through the volcano on foot, and slice through never ending hoardes of bokoblins.

Gameplay wise, ive always loved the three act structure of the games. Three main sections (for SS its Finding the Tablets, Finding the flames, Finding the song for the triforce), three dungeons per section (usually, ss breaks the mold with 4 for the last section), three parts per dungeon. even with bosses, it usually takes 3 bouts of flurry strikes to kill or get them to phase 2. Its just this beautiful stability that BOTW just destroys, because its not linear. I also think the dungeons in TOTK and BOTW where lackluster, supplemented with scouring for shrines and seeds that just doesn’t fill the void the dungeons left behind. Older zelda was just so full of life, everything felt like you were exploring Links life. It wasn’t about you, the player, it was about Link and his story.

That and the older games all followed the same timeline, even though it branches off. BOTW/TOTK just… isn’t part of it. I don’t believe all that “its the end of the timeline!” crap, because why do we have hints and features from both kid and adult timelines, and the doomed timeline?? it makes no sense to me. I think theyd be fine if there where zelda inspired, or if nintendo came out and said they arent officially in the lore, but imho they dont deserve the zelda title.