Not enjoying BOTW, am I playing wrong?

I’m a Zelda lover since being extremely young (played OOT when I was 5, i’m 21 now). I love the series and I think it is the best game series out there, I’ve replayed most of the games 5+ times throughout the years with an exception of maybe a few.

I bought BOTW last year when I got my switch, and I got around 20 hours in but for some reason I don’t enjoy it. What I love about Zelda is the way that it almost feels like you are reading a book, following a chronological story designed with all these things that evoke emotion, challenge you in the right way and is very beautifully crafted.

For some reason, I can’t really get into BOTW. I feel sort of lost, with the open world. I don’t feel that excitement of following the story and the main mission that challenges you because you can’t go anywhere else really. I don’t feel too challenged, and it just feels like I’m not really “getting it”.

What should I change about my approach? I have such an engrained way in my head that Zelda games work, and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to change my mindset from thinking it’s a traditional Zelda game to actually enjoy it. Is there a way to play it more like a traditional Zelda game? Is there something I need to change in my mindset? What do you guys think? Any help appreciated because I really want to enjoy it!!