Last I remember, in OoE, my attacks had Y, R(switch), X(other hand), A(charge attack), plus combinations of UP and DOWN. And I can stop my combos at any time 'cuz they weren't combos at all, and jump and dodge as I please. And I can activate an ability with L (I think) like Volaticus, etc. and add to the combination of things to do.
If you played OoE just mashing Y and X, either you're lying by dumbing down the actions for dramatic effect, or you don't know how to play.
In Mirror of Fate, the characters cannot crouch and use A for the SubWeapon. You're also stuck in your combo because the combos are forced. If you started the combo and the enemy started attacking, well tough cookies you're about to take a hit and that's the bottom line.
Pound for Pound you're far more limited to what you can do.