IMO, it's not worth arguing over whether it's a "true Zelda experience" - I'd say it is. Or, well, it's a new kind of Zelda experience. It may lack hallmarks of other Zeldas, but for all that it may miss, it brings a whole lot new and interesting to the table, making it a rather unique and enjoyable experience. There's a good reason why contemporary games take so much influence from it (I see Immortals: Fenyx Rising and Genshin Impact compared to BOTW all the damn time)
It's okay if you personally don't like it. (I get it, being contrarian is hip and cool.) But it is a true Zelda experience, like it or not. It's just a new one, in the same way Ocarina of Time differs from Zelda 1.