Right, it’s just a noticeable disjunct when the game participates so hard in aesthetics of youth and rebellion, and tries harder to show it.
Nintendo was on a highly-strung model of “same elements, new gimmick to drive gameplay” for maybe fifteen years. In some ways it’s more honest than most companies – they absolutely were creating new interactions each time and straight up don’t add installments if they don’t have anything to do. But I found it pretty redundant.
They’ve really turned it around since the latter half of the Wii U, though. I think a new generation started getting their pitches accepted, even in the hidebound franchises.
I’ve really been thinking about how the new Zeldas, especially Tears of the Kingdom, show Nintendo as one of the only big studios thinking about how to adapt single-player to how kids play games now, and succeeding. It’s a game that deeply engages with Fortnite and Roblox.