#not sure whether to tag this totk or totk critical

[imagineaspen]

I feel like I am being too much of a hater lately, so here are some things that I think TOTK did well/improved over BOTW:

Things are actually happening in the present (in BOTW the only divine beast that actually seemed like an urgent problem to me was Vah Rutah)

Though I think the best shrines are in BOTW, overall I enjoyed the ones in TOTK more because a) no motion control shrines and b) combat shrines aren't just the same boss fight copy pasted x 1000

I found the dungeons overall to be a big improvement, with the Fire Temple and Lightning Temple being standouts (however, the Water Temple is imo in the running for worst dungeon in the whole series)

And the lead-ups to all the dungeons were very fun

Better boss fights (Colgera is particular was super cool)

Some of the sky islands (Great Sky Island, Dragonhead Island) gave me Skyward Sword vibes in a very positive way

The depths were creepy in a way I think Zelda has been missing since TP at least (unfortunately, eventually you realize there's basically nothing there, but those first few hours were cool)

Sidequests are way improved over BOTW, and overall I think this game does sidequests the best of any Zelda game except Majora's Mask