It's funny how you should mention that you believe OOT was a great game, but TP seems like the same old thing.
Nintendo released a couple of great Zelda games between OOT and TP. They included Manjoras Mask and Wind Waker. They had innovative and original concepts that really evolved the series as a whole. The problem? Many people didn't like it. They scoffed at not being able to play as adult link in Manjoras Mask. They criticized it's lack of dungeons (only 4) and the time traveling system was completely not what they were used to. They laughed at Wind Waker's graphical style, and how the game took place on an ocean. Btw: some of the islands in WW were bigger than the areas of OOT.
Basically what I am saying is that Nintendo delivered two amazing games between OOT and TP. The fans complained, saying that they wanted to play as adult Link in an experience similar to OOT. The fans wanted it, and Nintendo delivered. What you recieved was an amazing game, but one that didn't do much different than it's predecessor. Then, people criticized it for not doing much different than it's predecessor.
To summarize, people complain when things change.
