The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma has explained that the decision to use a new art style in the Ocarina of Time remake was necessary because something 'expected' would have had less impact on the player. Aonuma believes that a surprising art style can have a greater impact on the player than a more traditional one. He cited the series' history of big graphical shifts in art style from one title to the next as an example of this approach.
Aonuma also acknowledged that the game's development team often react with surprise to new art styles, and that it can take time to get used to them. He believes that this process of surprise and adjustment can be a good start to appreciating a game's unique qualities. The Ocarina of Time remake has received universal critical acclaim, with many praising Nintendo's decision to refine the original rather than completely overhauling it.