this is a stupid thing to say, a) because why wouldn't they be excited, the last few zelda games made have ALL been critically acclaimed and well received by oh I dunno, everyone, and the gameplay in Twilight Princess was markedly different than any of the N64 games, and Wind Waker was even MORE markedly different. unless your definition of 'meaningful way' is turning it into skyrim, all you're doing is spouting filth and hyperbole from your mouth.
like seriously. the only way you can tell me that's not true is if you say 'i didn't like (insert wolf/boat/new items/new dungeon design comment here), it wasn't meaningful/they should have kept it the same.' in which case you're just being a complete hypocrite.
the reason things like this garner responses like this from me is you can't just throw out your opinion as the truth, and expect it to be acceptable, in any instance of life. clearly the zelda formula HAS been changed, in significant ways. if you don't like it, whatever. but you not thinking so does not make your comment correct or acceptable just because you said it as fact. that's what politicians do.