Since Zelda games didn't have enough puzzles, combat was turned into a puzzle as well. Link can slash in 8 directions and most enemy require to attack in a certain direction. However some enemies seem to read your inputs and change their guard accordingly to the direction you're attacking, and the only thing you can do is to pray for them to stop doing it.
Like he did with the slingshot before, Aonuma added new elements to Zelda by nerfing Link. Enter the stamina gauge, the shield gauge and the inventory with limited slots.
Now Link gets tired by running, rolling or executing special attacks.
Blocking sucks big time now. You must waggle the nunchuck to enter the block stance. Holding Z like in previous games won't do it. And Link drops his guard whenever he attacks, blocks, you release the Z button and maybe when he gets hit too. If that wasn't enough, shields have a durability gauge. You can block like 3-4 hits before they break, and your options to refill the gauge are to use a potion or repair it at the city. The Hylian shield is indestructible, but the only way to get it is in a late game sidequest.
There's barely any exploration, and tedium is its replacement. Most Goddess Cubes are at plain sight. Hit them with the beam.... and no, you don't get the content right away. A previously locked special treasure chest in an island in the sky (very likely to be over a minute away from your current location) opens and you have to fly there to get it.
As usual in Aonuma Zeldas there is only one way to kill the bosses, which involve the item found in its dungeon. Thou shalt not deviate from the path envisioned by your lord.
Then there's those awful stealth sections...
