Linear games are great. Sure, open-world games, which are very popular, offer players a lot of freedom to explore and discover at their own pace for dozens if not hundreds of hours, but linear campaigns have the advantage of a focus. For example, a well-paced story may be more memorable in five hours than a story over eighty. Also, just because the game is linear doesn't mean it doesn't give you any control.
The best PS5 games that let you do anything
These PS5 games aren't just about fighting and explosions, offering so much variety that you feel like you can do basically anything.
The following linear games offer dialogue choices, or ways players can control their character creation to create a sense of identity that many titles do not. If someone wants to enjoy some small experiences that are linear but still full of freedom, then these games are worth checking out.
Aliens: Transition
Keep going to death
Aliens: Transition is a good idea for Aliens game because it gives players access to multiple characters in a rescue mission. The game is a 2D Metroidvania where players can explore their environment, search for survivors, and blast all kinds of aliens that come into the kingdom. The best thing is that players can swap between characters, and if someone dies, they're gone for good. It's one of the most challenging Metroidvanias out there, but it's also nice that players have to create their own form of strategy to finish, and be happy with how the story plays out based on who dies.
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter
Struggle or Rewind
Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter Another challenging game, but it's a turn-based RPG. Instead of branching off on the world map, this entry is more linear as players must explore an underground series of dungeons. Every move they make will add to the meter, the D-counter, and once it hits critical mass, it's game over. The good news is that players can restart whenever they want and make some progress, so that the next playthrough or three will be more successful than the last.
Catherine: Full body
love sick
Catherine: Full body It's an enhanced version of the original game, giving the protagonist, Vincent, a choice between his current girlfriend, Catherine, and a girl he just met, Catherine. This version adds another choice, Rin, but the game ultimately plays the same, with each choice leading to different story outcomes and endings. Each day, players will make texting or other dialogue choices that will enhance the relationship between one of these three women, and at night, Vincent will go into a dream world. Players will have to solve block puzzles, reflect on some relationship advice, and then wake up to start the whole process all over again.
Detroit: Become Human
Fight for Android rights
Detroit: Become Human is a story adventure game in which players will control three androids, Connor, Kara and Marcus. Connor is a spy, Kara is a servant, and Marcus is trying to lead a peaceful revolution for his robot kind, as they are seen as lesser beings.
5 totally unique games that are unlike anything else
If you're looking for a truly unique gaming experience, here are some refreshing concepts that haven't been copied to death.
Players will switch between chapters between them, and dialogue and action options will branch out into some wildly different scenarios, including permadeath for all three characters. There's a timeline menu players can view after the first is completed, so they can try to see where they left off and how the next run can dramatically change the story.
Quantic Dream's other games offer something similar, though not as well executed. Detroit: Become Human.
Hotline Miami
Become a Chaotic Assassin
Hotline Miami is a level-based killing game where each mission asks players to kill everyone in sight. Enemies die in one hit, as do players, making this a challenging indie game that requires well-thought-out strategy. They can use whatever they want to take out enemies, from guns to bats to doors.
It may take a few tries to exploit the environment and plan the attack, but once players figure out their attack, they can pretend to be John Wick at work. Although you may not decide to go down the pacifist path or anything like that, Hotline Miami Gives you a surprising amount of freedom in how you approach most missions.
Katamari Damak
They see me rollin'
Katamari Damak
- issued
-
September 21, 2004
- ESRB
-
E // mild fantasy violence
Katamari Damakand its more accessible remaster, Katamari Damacy REROLLOne of the strangest games ever made is that the king of all universes will one day destroy the star system. He sends his son, the prince, down to Earth to roll up any object they can find to become a star.
Each mission gives players a required size to pass, and if they exceed it, they will get a good score. Which objects they grab is up to the players, so there's a bit of choice, as they can decide to make things look more chaotic or uniform. Most of the levels are also like mini-sandboxes, as you can go where you want and roll things up as you wish.
Freedom through stealth
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Players start with Solid Snake in a boat, then ride in a large facility on the water. They have targets, and they must be on a stealth mission, but players can take out enemies in a number of ways. They can be deadly with a silenced pistol, they can knock out enemies with darts, or they can go full octane and shoot all over the place, Rambo-style.
Where they hide the bodies, and how they hide past guards, is also something players can consider, as there are many places to explore and gadgets to test. other MGS Games also offer freedom in action, however Sons of Liberty does better than most.
Honorable mentions like other stealth-focused franchises Hitman.
Scribblenauts
Write your own destiny, literally
Scribblenauts
- issued
-
September 15, 2009
- ESRB
-
E10+ for everyone 10+
Scribblenauts Offers a simple control scheme for players to overcome its many puzzles. Each scenario gives players a mission like how to put out a fire or how to save a cat.
The best open-world RPGs with deep character creation and total freedom
Play your way with your characters in these open-world RPGs.
Each puzzle can be solved in a number of ways, from writing firemen to put out the fire to just writing a ladder so the hero, Max, can climb up and save the cat. The more players you get, the more complex the puzzles become, which will be a fun way to massage the brain, so puzzle fans are encouraged to check out one of the many. Scribblenauts Entries.
Strategy Ogre: Let's stick together
A strategic twist in time
Strategy Ogre: Let's stick together A timeline menu players can view, eg Detroit: Become Humanwith an almost equal number of choices in the story. The gameplay is very different, however, as it is a tactical RPG, where players can recruit party members with different classes and match them in battle. Characters move across a grid in missions and can attack enemies with magic, skills, melee weapons, and ranged weapons. Leveling up the party can be exhilarating, but players choosing the story can also have a blast.
Strategy RPGs are known for offering players many choices in how they set up their party and who becomes part of their party, as long as they stick to a fairly linear structure. Strategy Ogre A perfect example, but something like that Disgaea also fits.
Undertale
Don't be the monster they think you are
Undertale A subversive RPG that lets players talk their way through battles instead of killing monsters as they were trained to do in many other turn-based RPGs. Players can both kill and passive, but going the neutral route isn't as exciting. It is more beneficial to look at passive and destructive paths as they create completely different campaigns. They also refer to each other and the player's actions, so you can't escape your past choices or your impact on the story's progress. After all, even though it's a very linear experience, it's one of the most important indie RPGs of all time.
Upcoming open-world games that let you do anything
These upcoming open-world games are packed with many activities and gameplay features for players to enjoy.
