You can make that argument with any game that has a similar goal with GOW 2018. I can see why you would compare OOTs map with gows because I guess the map is similar but the level design is not. Not at all, far from it. And as far as side quests go, I can say BOTW is the only Zelda game I can think of that's similar to gow. BOTW did it better imo. And I never played Skyward sword so I'm not gonna argue with you on that. However I've played Dark souls 1,2 and 3 and Bloodborne but I don't think gows combat is similar to dark souls. R1 to attack and O to roll. C'mon dude, even Ghost of Tsushima had that same combat style. Does that mean Sucker punch was inspired by From Software? And lastly. You gotta be high on drugs to think Zelda failed on its combat calling it "mindless slashing". Zelda practically set the standard for 3D action platformers since the late 90s. They only gotten better with botw. Of course thats just my opinion.
And finally, this is third time I'm asking, what's your PSN gametag? If you aren't gonna say it or at least lie about one. Then I'm just gonna assume that Banana Split is right. And that you don't actually play video games.