Well I haven't played it so really couldn't tell ya what it deserves. But let's not forget, when you decide you are going to try and be like something, you better damn well make sure you are just as good otherwise comparisons will be more evident. It's like an artist doing a cover of a really popular song. Just because you do it, doesn't make it good. And because it is a popular song, critics are going to critique it more carefully.
On the other end, if it were a Zelda game, it also has quite a reputation to live up to. We are talking about one of the most critically acclaimed franchises in the industry, if not the top one. So maybe brand can help out review scores, but if it doesn't live up to the pedestal it has been put on, critics and fans are going to let ya know. Going back to the music reference, it's like releasing an album after a very popular and critically acclaimed album. They've seen what you can do and now you have to live up to that expectation and sometimes it can be very difficult.
But as I said, I haven't played 3D Dot Heroes so I couldn't tell you if it deserves that nor am I going to start arguing conspiracy theories on the matters of reviewers: I got enough issues with them. I do know a few people that have played it, and most well have not thought to highly of it but I can't say one way or another because I've heard people on the internet who love it. Just remember, review scores only represent their opinions. In the end, isn't it only your opinion that matters? I think so.
