I fully recognize and acknowledge that Wind Waker is short, padded, and somewhat content anemic. In terms of items and dungeon mechanics, it is also not very complex or involved and doesn't move the formula much past what OoT and MM offered.

But honestly I find that I just don't care. I don't think I would ever say this about any other game, but Wind Waker is one of my favorite games based on an intangible vibe alone. Everything from the artstyle to the sound design I just find so fun and appealing, and while the majority of the ocean is empty space with a few islands good for only rupees, a heart piece, or a sidequest, I have never felt a sense of adventure quite like Wind Waker gave me when I played it first on Gamecube and even still to this day. Sailing around to that soundtrack, before I knew the map like the back of my hand and everything was new to discover... I genuinely have been coveting that wind ever since. I've played Sly 3's pirate chapter, I've played Black Flag, I've played Dredge, I've even tried playing Sea of Thieves solo (horrible experience), all just to try and capture that experience again and none have come close.

There are WIP mods and hacks to try to bring Hyrule to the surface and expand the landmass, but all I would ever want is just more to see on the Great Sea. There really is not a single experience in gaming even to this day remotely like what Wind Waker offers, as flawed as it is.