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Paladuck

In general, do you prefer linear or open-world games?

For those unfamiliar with the terms, linear games usually have one set storyline that you don't really deviate from. Most FPS games are linear (i.e., Call of Duty). I thought of this because FFXIII has also been criticized for being overly linear.

In contrast, open-world games are games that have a main storyline, but also have lots of side-questing and other stuff you can do. For example, Fallout 3 and Mass Effect are examples of open-world games.

Personally, I prefer linear games. Although I appreciate the ambitiousness of open-world games, I'm an anal-retentive gamer and I simply have to complete every side quest or talk to every last NPC or I'll go mad. I find it really comforting when a path is laid out.

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Groteske

I like linear JRPGs and open world WRPGs.

In between with action adventure games I prefer linear.

ff13 is a action adventure game....not an RPG.

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shadowsworn

I think linear games tend to have better stories, so I vote linear.

although, that said, Planescape: Torment for example, wasn't entirely linear and it managed to do very well, obviously.

also I thought Oblivion was boring.

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Orpheus

For SP games I always go linear, because it's like reading a novel or watching a movie, even with the side quests and extras, the main storyline is what attracts me the most.

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zipykido

I don't like a lot of options in my games. I've always thought: if I never leave my house, I won't have to go on some stupid adventure.

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Arri

FF13 being criticized for being "too linear" is completely stupid. Why? Every FF game is linear. There is only one place to go at a given time to progress in the plot. You're only given the illusion of "open endedness" with the airship and being able to go anywhere. But as far as the plot is concerned, you never went anywhere.

FF13 just takes away the illusion, nothing more.

Personally, I tend to like Linear games. With open ended games I tend to get bored because I generally prefer to have a story to follow, and open ended games usually have poor story while allowing you to do whatever.

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sinnful

I also tend to enjoy more of the linear games. Mass effect and Mass effect 2 are both fairly linear in nature, but the story line is amazing. More of the open world games tend to either be mmo's or simply very weak on the story side. The only exceptions I can think to this is Elder Scrolls series and Fallout.

tiger1526

open world games all the way, linear games hardly ever have replay value and by hardly ever i mean like that 1 game out of 70,000,000,000(not that high of a number of course) open world you can usually have a lot more fun in after long periods of time, not only that the story can be just as good if not better then a linear game + have side story's and be able to look at other cool things and explore, ropleplay ect. (sadly but also awesomely i have roleplayed alone in gta/elderscrolls games)

most of the time i don't even bother to buy linear games because there's always another game i want that has replay value so i don't spend 60$ just for it to sit on my shelf.

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Paladuck

That's precisely why its being criticized. The current wave of RPGs have all been open-world (Mass Effect, Fallout 3, Dragon Age) and FFXIII has been accused of not keeping up with the times.

I think its a stupid criticism because a linear game lends itself better to the JRPG style, but saying "every FF game is linear" is not really an excuse, because up until VII every FF game was 2D, and up until X every FF game had no voice acting.

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hobolord

I like open world, but eventually i get tired of all the side quests and give up. I want to complete everything, but i cant be bothered with it.