This fixed essentially every issue I had in BOTW while also introducing many incredible new mechanics. Ultra Hand is incredibly fun to mess around with and seeing what other people come up with by using it is really neat. The story was good despite not necessarily the most complex thing ever (well unless you're a timeline fan like me then oh gosh it's a bit messy). Despite me thinking that a lot of the depths feel a bit samey, the map doubling in size is quite impressive. I completed all shrines, got all the lightroots, built a house, and really enjoyed the game before defeating Ganondorf at the 125 hour mark.
Months later:
I think it is fundamentally a better game than BOTW. TotK has a larger map, more to do, deeper mechanics, and genuinely much more fun to be had in it, but at the same time I'ma also a way less satisfying experience. Better but less satisfying. A large portion of the map being the same, the new areas mostly feeling samey to each other (70% of the depths look exactly the same), and most of what makes TotK good is jist the fact it's BOTW but better. Magnesia → Ultra Hand? 100% undoubtedly an improvement but half of that mechanic is very similar in concept. Ganondorf final boss? 100% an improvement but again it's literally just Ganon again. Sages? Almost all characters from BOTW. TotK is such a play it safe sequel. There wasn't actually much exciting outside the improvements you would expect such a sequel that took years to have. Even the most interesting plot twists within the new store are so heavily foreshadowed and implied that most players figure them out in advanced. The new lore is messy too. In years from now when there are newer Zelda games I feel like I'm going to look back at the Switch era and primarily remember exploring in BOTW for the first time because the new concepts it brought to the table where more exciting and satisfying in the long run than let's say the Great Sky Island. That's not to say TotK is bad but outside of some things like Ultra Hand which Ido genuinely love, it just was not that memorable or as exciting as it's predecessor despite being an improvement on it in most ways. I do like TotK more at the end of the day. Just wish it felt more exciting and risky instead of predictable and safe.
Months later:
I think it is fundamentally a better game than BOTW. TotK has a larger map, more to do, deeper mechanics, and genuinely much more fun to be had in it, but at the same time I'ma also a way less satisfying experience. Better but less satisfying. A large portion of the map being the same, the new areas mostly feeling samey to each other (70% of the depths look exactly the same), and most of what makes TotK good is jist the fact it's BOTW but better. Magnesia → Ultra Hand? 100% undoubtedly an improvement but half of that mechanic is very similar in concept. Ganondorf final boss? 100% an improvement but again it's literally just Ganon again. Sages? Almost all characters from BOTW. TotK is such a play it safe sequel. There wasn't actually much exciting outside the improvements you would expect such a sequel that took years to have. Even the most interesting plot twists within the new store are so heavily foreshadowed and implied that most players figure them out in advanced. The new lore is messy too. In years from now when there are newer Zelda games I feel like I'm going to look back at the Switch era and primarily remember exploring in BOTW for the first time because the new concepts it brought to the table where more exciting and satisfying in the long run than let's say the Great Sky Island. That's not to say TotK is bad but outside of some things like Ultra Hand which Ido genuinely love, it just was not that memorable or as exciting as it's predecessor despite being an improvement on it in most ways. I do like TotK more at the end of the day. Just wish it felt more exciting and risky instead of predictable and safe.