The way I see it, this is the true first game in the series. It implemented the story structure that Zelda is traditionally known for (and which is my favorite part of the series), as well as genuinely fun exploration, combat, and puzzles, that don't hold your hand while also not being completely obtuse.
I think people dog on some Zelda games when they're more linear because that's not what was established in the NES game, which is understandable, but at this point, I see the series as being a mostly linear adventure series, barring the first entry and the two latest (I won't even go into Zelda 2. I played 20 minutes and hated every second of it.) Hell, even the series first foray into 3d is structurally closer to this game than the NES one. It's a big part of the reason I see this as the first real entry in the series, and actually see the NES one as a separate entity with the same name, more of a precursor to the Souls series. I'm weird, I know.
But my unusual perspective on the series makes me appreciate this game even more. It has aged beautifully and is still an absolutely riveting adventure to this day.
I think people dog on some Zelda games when they're more linear because that's not what was established in the NES game, which is understandable, but at this point, I see the series as being a mostly linear adventure series, barring the first entry and the two latest (I won't even go into Zelda 2. I played 20 minutes and hated every second of it.) Hell, even the series first foray into 3d is structurally closer to this game than the NES one. It's a big part of the reason I see this as the first real entry in the series, and actually see the NES one as a separate entity with the same name, more of a precursor to the Souls series. I'm weird, I know.
But my unusual perspective on the series makes me appreciate this game even more. It has aged beautifully and is still an absolutely riveting adventure to this day.