Perhaps the one thing this game truly nails with no caveats are the characters. Like the story, the arcs here are simple, but they're done really well and - by virtue of the game's linear structure - allowed to develop in a way BotW's characters simply couldn't. I know it's a completely uncontroversial take but Groose was the standout here and it's a continued crime against humanity that he never got into Hyrule Warriors as a fighter, or Smash as an Assist. I must admit that the farewells of both Impa and Fi at the end got me slightly teary-eyed; that, and the end-credits scenes of Zelda's own adventure was a really neat touch that makes me wish she'd get more to do (I know nothing about TotK so this doesn't hint towards anything, I promise).
Gameplay-wise, the game's main problem is, by far, the pacing. It's one of the worst-paced games I've ever played... and I played Persona 5. I think Nintendo knew that they didn't have enough for the game to meet the standards of previous games, so they instead opted to make you do a bunch of errands instead. For instance, the silent realm trials are stressful, but fun times that test your knowledge of an area. Having to fly back and forth between the shrine to access each trial is not. It's just pure busy-work that adds nothing to the game. Oh, and The Imprisoned is genuinely bad. Though I doubt that's controversial though lol.
However the game does have some really great moments gameplay-wise. The Sandship and Ancient Cistern are incredible dungeons that really make a good point for why so many people like, and want, Zelda dungeons. The Ghirahim boss fights are great tests of your sword skills that only get better. The final dungeon having a "shifting rooms," structure is a really good idea.
Also, this is the first Zelda game I can safely say that I've 'done (mostly) everything in':
Which I'm glad I did. The game has some really neat side-quests and stories strewn throughout, and the 'Gratitude Crystal' system - whilst ultimately pretty pointless gameplay-wise (seriously, who'd ever need 9,900 rupees?), was a really nice way to tie it all together in a way other games in the series didn't.
However... all of that completion stuff meant nothing lol. Cause I literally didn't lose a single heart in the final boss fight. Not a single one. The invincibility potion lasted 6 whole-ass minutes and I defeated Demise before it even ran out. So I had four full heals, a fairy, and all of the hearts for... nothing much, really.