Looks like you double posted so I deleted the repeat.
Thank you for the feedback! I am very happy to be compared to an obscure PS1 game (that is actually the style I am going for in general :)
As for the controls, I super agree with you. If I revisited this game and also for games in the future I will look into implementing settings for controls, to be honest I have never messed around with it, but I agree it would make it much more accessible. I especially find underwater navigation near the surface very janky, and agree with you on the mid-air jump. It was hard to find a way to balance it with the triple jump you can unlock later, so I probably should have changed what it was.
I tried to have the starting dog NPC prompt you to move the camera, but he does it only in specific circumstances where you talk to him after flying with the heron and collecting the zora boots but before feeding the second heron. That was a bit of a bug on my part, but regardless early controls should definitely be better conveyed.
I'm glad you got through the starting island despite that, and am very thankful for your feedback!