Aonuma growing tired of Zelda formula, looking to change it, in the testing phase

"It’s not that anyone is telling me we have to change the formula. I want to change it. I’m kind of getting tired of it. If I’m getting tired of it, then I’m sure other people are getting tired of it. There is an essential ‘Zelda’ I feel we need to stay true to. We are still testing things, exploring our options. We haven’t landed anywhere at this point. We’re still seeing what we can do

What I want to do, not specifically with Link but with the ‘Zelda’ franchise, I’m always striving to make something no one else can, something that is so distinctly ‘Zelda’ that it can only be done in a ‘Zelda’ game. There are times when I hit walls and I can’t come up with new ideas and I think maybe I should just give up and quit, but eventually a new idea comes along and I’m proud of myself. It breeds new life into the creative process.

“I go through these phases, over and over again. I hope those high points keep on coming.” - Eiji Aonuma

Full interview here
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-nintendo-eiji-aonuma/

http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=207485

Do you think the Zelda series needs a shake-up?

Hopefully it won't be a complete overhaul, a little change yes, to keep it fresh, but hopefully not a complete one.

It's easy, really. Go back to Zelda 1, how open it was compared to the games that came after it, and work from there.  

make it a fresh one...

I'd be ok if they mixed in a little Metroid item path in there as well. Like you have to fight an embodiment of the spirit of the Master Sword to get it.

i would like a more engaging story. Less fetch me three things, after that fetch me another 5 things then you are ready for the final battle. UGHH

I hope they make zelda a playable character, at least in some points of the game. That would change stuff up quite a bit, and it would be very interesting to see how they handle that

Zelda needs a major shake up. Open world, magical setting, realistic graphics, more action combat, epic theme, less formulaic. It needs to match the modern advancements of it's peers while getting back to its roots. It needs to be groundbreaking. I hope this Zelda is both fresh and classic.

I agree with all of this. I have enjoyed every Zelda ive played but it would be nice to see some changes. Im curious what its gonna be like every sinse he said he was taking inspiration from Skyrim.

I'm on a small quest to beat the whole series. I only finished A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening and Ocarina of Time so far, but all three of them share the same issue: extremely basic plot and characters. It's more like an excuse for the game to happen rather than an actual "story" really.

I don't know if the other installments actually have engaging plot and actual characters rather than cardboard boxes in human form, but if they don't, then that's something that needs to be changed URGENTLY. I wanna care about the world and people I'm saving.

All these three games also follow the same formula. "Get these magical items and then you can beat the final boss". Again, I don't know if the following games also do this, but if they do, then the series needs to get less formulaic as well.