I don't know if shrines and puzzles are better designed than BOTW, more likely to inclined they are not
But they are MUCH better to solve, that's for sure. Ultrahand is miles ahead Magnesis, just being able to control it with a stick adds much better precision than junk and clunky motion controls that uses to make me solve even the most simply puzzles a hell. The fact you can now "attach" things is a gift
Fusing mechanic made remote bombs obsolete and are just much better way to control. And as never a bit fan of stasis, although it has its uses the puzzles involving hitting them were annoying. Recall replaces it in a very elegant way and adds a lot of spicy on puzzle solving
The only one rune I miss is cryonis. They really didn't have a proper replacement to it, that's why this game is so filled with convenient pieces of wood or metal when you are in some water sections