I've not played it, but although I suppose I can see a few conventions you might want to have updated, it was explicitly designed and marketed from the start as a game to be the successor to B-K. It's hardly surprising that it would aim for just that!

Perhaps it'd be more fair to judge them for a 'lack of innovation' when Twoka-Laylee and Yooka-Laythree are out and make no innovations?

Also, thanks for sharing that vid Skyblade, it's good to get some thoughts like that!