I think Twilight Princess is the perfection of the 3-D Zelda formula that Ocarina created. And I think you explained why in the OP. It was the first Zelda in which I actually cared about the other characters. I really felt like those little kids were my family. And when one of them opened a store, I really felt like I had to support them. And I really loved the story with the Zoras this time. It wasn't just the same old "hey go join a Zora rock band" thing that every game should do, but I had to trek across the world fighting on horseback while protecting a covered wagon? That was some epic movie magic, but all in gameplay. Same with the jousting scenes on the bridge. Those scenes made me feel like I was playing an epic movie, but I didn't have to let go of the controller and watch a movie. I got to play the epic climaxes. And I think it had the best ending, other than Link's Awakening of course. The snow dungeon is probably my favorite dungeon in any Zelda design-wise, I thought all the Twilight stuff was really beautiful, and Midna is the greatest character from any Zelda. Damn this game was good. And even though all my favorite items were in Link's Awakening, I think Twilight Princess has the best collection of weapons and items as a whole. By the end of the game you're just ridiculous.
My old roommate watched me beat the entire game, and as soon as I beat the last boss, he wanted to watch me beat the boss a 2nd time in a row, and after I did that, he immediately started his own game and played through the entire thing. I've never seen that happen before or since.
