Quote: "I was very worried about it since it sounded like it departed so far from what zelda games typically are"
So was I, but as you said it still has just the right amount of Zelda flavour too it. I mean the battle mechanics are more or less what they were in 3D Zelda games since Ocarina of Time (targetting, distant vs. melee weapon trade offs, switching items etc.) but it's just far more diverse because you have so many possibilities how to approach a battle, like sneaky taking out one by one or go straight into it with explosives and such.
Everyone I've seen play it so far has some slightly different tactics to it, and that makes the experience very unique for each player. This also applies for the whole game in general. For example my friend has a totally different approach to advance in the game, what quests she takes and how new areas are explored - yet still everything a player does is progress somehow. Never seen something like that in this amount where it really promotes expressiveness and creativity.
It's an outstanding example of great game design.
Quote: "I get bored of a lot of open world games, because the map always feels like I'm exploring one area that just happens to be really big. With BotW though, I never feel like I'm stuck in one area, every section is like it's own little world."
Yeah there is always something to explore, a higher hill to climb, an interesting place to paraglide to or a group of enemies to attack and loot. The Great Plateau already felt open but after that the world truly is yours. And in the beginning when you come out of the cave as a weak young boy with nothing in your hands the survival aspect really kicks in nicely. It took me so many hours before I even saw the first living humans (except the old man) because I got side tracked in the wilderness so much.
Can't wait to get back to playing it
