Saying artstyle isn't important is silly. Visuals are an important part of any game, and they set the feeling, tone and escapism. I don't want another Disney-style cartoon, and I don't want the next game to look like a watercolor painting. Both styles broke some realism and immersion for me. I want to look at a magical world, not a painting of a magical world. No matter how pretty they were.
I want:
-Mature Link and style.
-Artstyle can be a variety of things (the references to Journey are fine), but it should be cool and magical and feel like an escape. A good mix of creepy and beautiful. Wii U is powerful, so it shouldn't use a cop-out like cell-shading or watercolor to make it pretty.
-World: open is good. Detail is also good. But I don't mind some wide open expanses that are filler. That makes the places that have stuff to do feel more significant, and gives you a feeling of scope. A couple of modes of transportation would be cool. Perhaps a mix of horse, a section of the game off the coast in boat as mentioned, and maybe a cool version of the bird at the end. There should also be multiple towns to visit.
-No hand holding. At all.
-Story. Something epic and unique would be good.
-Voice Acting. Yes please.
-Controls: Traditional please, no motion. Except maybe using the Gamepad to control flight like a steering wheel... that could be cool.
-Action. I want more. Less Z-Targeting, more spontaneous, multi-enemy battles.
-Less item-specific dungeons. The puzzles are too easy to figure out when you know what tool to use.
-Upgrades to Link's armor. I want Blue link in chain mail, maybe Red Link in plate.
Mostly I want a fantastical journey. Perhaps a chapter where you ride on the back of a giant creature so big it has a village on it to a far-off land. Ruined civilizations. A series of unique towns with unique problems to solve. And a fresh feel to the gameplay. Since the move from 2D to 3D we've been a bit stuck with the z-targeting routine and character development. I'd like a fresh approach to combat and item collection.
