Games differentiate themselves from other mediums based on allowing the person to immerse himself because he controls the character. There is no difference between these games and B grade horror flicks where we push a button once every 10 mins.
Some people may like these type of "games" but if Sony ever wants to hit the sales milestones of Nintendo IP's for their games then they need to focus more on gameplay so more PS 5 owners buy their games instead of chasing the PC crowd with their begging bowl
The difference is you can control it, with choices, decisions and are more involved. Its limited and different, but its unique thing only video games can do. Not asking for every game to be like that, but once in awhile its nice.
Nintendo is in a different position. No1 was praising there gameplay with those same games during Wii U. Those same games broke records for Switch.
Zelda and Mario are mascots. You can out other characters in their spin offs and they wouldnt sell.
Mario Kart gameplay hasnt changed in years.
Animal Crossing there best selling game ever isnt exactly much of gameplay power house.
Plenty of games with great gameplay though from Zelda, Fire Emblem, Mario, Metroid, Splatoon, Adv Wars, Luigi Mansion, Pikmin etc.
I love Nintendo games, have great gameplay. Not something Playstation can imitate easily, Astrobot is the closest thing.
But Sony does there own stuff and does great gameplay wise. Bloodborne, GOW, TLOU2, GOT, Spiderman 2, Returnal, Astrobot, HellDivers etc have all great gameplay and variety. They are missing there smaller titles though with more variety