Why Tears of the Kingdom is Only my 12th Favourite Game of 2023

This is a disguised Top 10 video mixed with airing my grievances about Tears of the Kingdom.
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[@Codricmon]

My first time playing TotK was shortly after replaying BotW in anticipation, which was probably my first mistake. It really drove home the point that this game, while still great, was more of the same. It improved a lot of stuff, and Ultrahand is amazing, but when I explored the world of TotK, I eventually lost my curiosity and it became nothing more than the chore of finding all the shrines and whatnot.
I was also very disappointed that the game didn't even acknowledge my BotW save (except for a few things, which are rather inconsequential). Several side characters from BotW acted like they've never met me (which is only possible if you go out of your way to avoid them in BotW), and coupled with the developers straight up recycling quests, it kind of felt mocking. Of course they should design the game in a way that new players don't feel locked out, but I would have liked a few moments where the game recognises that I'm no stranger to this world. Have the guy I sold my horse to in BotW ride around and tell me how [whatever I named that horse] is doing now. Have characters like Beedle remember me, or have quest givers mention how I helped them in BotW.
Overall a fine game, but by the end, I was pretty much tired of it. It's valid to call TotK a better game than BotW, similarly to how New Super Mario Bros U is a better game than New Super Mario Bros Wii, or the first NSMB. That doesn't mean we necessarily needed another one; I'll take an "average" Zelda game that does something new over a third, even more improved BotW any day.

[@OrangeJuiceJaz]

I completely agree, I had replayed Breath of the Wild a month before Tears and it was a mistake.
I think having the overworld exactly the same structure ruins a lot of surprises. Which is also why I hate the depths so much, if you have a whole new world you don't have to make it empty and an inverse. The lack of connectivity from BOTW doesn't help as it would have made the world feel more real, which is a shame
BOTW will always be better in my eyes for being the first game to use that structure, while undeniably being worse than tears of the kingdom in almost every way. I just can't abide by not fixing problems that were well known in the design which could be fixed easily (Combat and Enemies specifically).
We can just hope that they innovate again in 6 years for the next Zelda game. I miss the Classic 3D Zelda's as well.