i like how it felt like a good tutorial.
the old man was conveniently placed there so you wont miss him. you can talk to him and he gives you your first quests which gives you something to do if youre loss. from this quest you get the shiekah sleight and learn most of it's functions and learn several of the different mechanics of the game by completing the first part of the game. and they dont hold your hand through any of that. after you get the glider, the game really opens up.