By definition you can’t have a series without some kind of “formula.” How much of a formula needed is up for debate. Personally I think the formula was one of the best features of the series. It’s one that’s fairly unique compared to other games, even of the same genre. To see BotW resort to a style that feels like every other open world game out there is a little disappointing.
This isn’t the series “going back to its roots,” this is the series devolving into being a generic adventure title. Gone are the vast array of unique weapons and tools you slowly obtain throughout the game like every single other game in the series (aside from the multiplayer ones I guess). Here are the generic “dime a dozen” travelers swords and 2 new tools, both of which obtained at the beginning of the game. Gone are the unique locals and dungeons, chock full of secrets and quirky characters. Here are the generic “plains, volcano, lake, mountain, desert, beach,” 120 mini dungeons that all look the same, and hundreds upon hundreds of bland characters falling under 5 stereotypes corresponding to rack of the races. Gone is the epic, memorable music adding to the overall atmosphere and tone. Here are the generic piano riffs that work in some areas, but feel completely out of place in others.
The formula isn’t the problem, it never was, and never will be. It’s just the fact that every Zelda game becomes hated after a while, and then comes back to being beloved by fans. Skyward Sword is still in its hated phase, causing people to want the exact opposite of what it was. They had to think of why they hated the game and what they came up with was “formula”. The same thing happened with Windwaker and we got Toilet Princess. Eventually the hate for SS will die down and BotW will become the new game to hate on.
This isn’t the series “going back to its roots,” this is the series devolving into being a generic adventure title. Gone are the vast array of unique weapons and tools you slowly obtain throughout the game like every single other game in the series (aside from the multiplayer ones I guess). Here are the generic “dime a dozen” travelers swords and 2 new tools, both of which obtained at the beginning of the game. Gone are the unique locals and dungeons, chock full of secrets and quirky characters. Here are the generic “plains, volcano, lake, mountain, desert, beach,” 120 mini dungeons that all look the same, and hundreds upon hundreds of bland characters falling under 5 stereotypes corresponding to rack of the races. Gone is the epic, memorable music adding to the overall atmosphere and tone. Here are the generic piano riffs that work in some areas, but feel completely out of place in others.
The formula isn’t the problem, it never was, and never will be. It’s just the fact that every Zelda game becomes hated after a while, and then comes back to being beloved by fans. Skyward Sword is still in its hated phase, causing people to want the exact opposite of what it was. They had to think of why they hated the game and what they came up with was “formula”. The same thing happened with Windwaker and we got Toilet Princess. Eventually the hate for SS will die down and BotW will become the new game to hate on.