A Link Between Worlds: Am I not getting this?

Hi all,

So I've started playing A Link Between Worlds, and I'm having a slight problem. I got through the first dungeon, needing the bow to activate switches to open the first door and get in.

However, trying to get into the water dungeon in the south, I spent probably an hour wandering around it trying to get in. I then looked up a guide and found out that I have to go north to the Zora's and get flippers. How was I supposed to know that?!

Now I have to go track this guy down who ran past me, and I don't know where he is. Am I supposed to be talking to someone for advice, or am I just expected to wander the map hopefully every time I get stuck. Don't get me wrong, I don't need the game to point on the map and say GO HERE, but a LITTLE direction would be nice...

I knew to do it because of A Link to the Past... I could see how it'd be annoying to someone who didn't know that.

The game is about exploration. If you don't know what to do, go somewhere you haven't been yet.

And I'm enjoying the exploration, but having no direction whatsoever is just a tad offputting. I guess I should just enjoy the exploration, and let random discoveries lead me to the next part of the path

You just kind of have to go talk to everyone and hope for the best. This just shows the predicament that Nintendo is in. People are begging for a massive Zelda, but at the same time they don't wanna just throw players in with no idea where to go. Some players might not like that as shown in this thread.

The original Zelda did it the best as the game just starts, and you have no idea where to go :P.

How old are you?

Why do kids now-a-days demand their hand be held at every gaming moment?

You just gotta go somewhere else. Eventually something will open up or something will be acquired so you can explore more. There's always online guides to help you if you just get stuck.

Welcome to how games used to be when you used trial and error to find out how to progress.

That was my first thought. But, a lot of games today hold your hand. I can understand why OP would get frustrated.

Especially at the beginning of the game you can feel quite a bit lost. Don't be afraid though, the more of the dungeons you do the easier it gets to find others you can access.
The game isn't linear by the way. So the best thing to do is just explore and keep in mind obstacles you couldn't cross earlier when you get a new item or skill.