I completely agree. I can get my open world fix from so many other games already, please don't sacrifice the charm and excitement of Zelda's old metroidvania style exploration and progression for a promise of freedom and vastness that so many games these days already offer (and which personally leave me bored, exhausted and unsatisfied halfway through).

Echoes of Wisdom was a small step in the right direction, but actually leave me concerned for what even a compromise might look like.

I have the same concern for Elden Ring vs Dark Souls, but at least Elden Ring still had stellar legacy Dungeons.