Welcome to the Sandbox

Started by pkmin3033 March 14th, 2015 2:01 PM
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  • 9 replies
  • Poll

Do you prefer linear or non-linear gameplay?

Linearity in video games is something that has been demonized by the media, but which gets very little explanation or even discussion as to why this is. Linearity is, plain and simple, seen as a very bad thing. Restricting the players from playing the game how they choose is a point against its structure, regardless of what it offers in return. But is this truly the case?

Many highly successful and critically acclaimed video game series - Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Call of Duty, and so on - all feature highly linear gameplay in the majority of their instalments. They set you on a designated path to completion and, whilst they often offer the illusion of freedom by allowing you to explore, at the end of the day if you want to progress in the game, you're going to need to complete objectives in a designated order.

With non-linear titles, you are allowed to complete objectives in whatever order you choose - some, such as the Elder Scrolls series, even go so far as to give you no real objectives at all, giving you the option of playing through a "story mode" but not penalizing you if you choose to ignore it entirely. You gain total freedom to play however you wish, which may sound like a positive thing, but you may end up missing several things that the developer placed in the game. Without guidance, you may find yourself wandering lost and frustrated, unable to fully enjoy the game as you're not entirely sure where to start.

So, what types of games are your favourites, and why? Do you resent not being able to tackle things in whatever order you see fit, or do you welcome the structure and guidance that linearity provides? How much freedom do you need to enjoy your video games? Are you bothered by being put "on-rails" so that you experience what the game has to offer in the way the developers intended, or do you not mind so long as the experience is worth it?

mew_nani

Pokécommunity's Licensed Tree Exorcist

Female
Far Lands
Seen May 28th, 2019
Posted August 25th, 2018
1,839 posts
13.4 Years
I don't mind linearity when it's done well. In Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy, while the plot tends to railway you you STILL have a lot of freedom to explore side areas and do sidequests, especially when you get access to an airship. The plot is so good you want to continue on with it, and while there's not much of a choice it doesn't matter because oh my GOD did I just see that guy do that?! I can't just put the game down now! I'm also alright with it if there's setting justification for it (Crisis Core - lets face it, if you're part of an elite and quirky squadron of soldiers, you're not gonna have much of a chance to explore the world) or because of technical limitations (the original Super Mario Bros qualifies, as well as a lot of NES games.)

It's when either there is absolutely nothing to do besides follow the plot or being railroaded to the point that even doing sidequests isn't an option that it's a bad thing. I think Pokemon Y has a huge problem with railroading; literally all you're doing is following the plotted line all throughout the game. There is NOTHING else to do because you're team isn't high enough or you don't have enough style points, and there's only a few tiny optional areas you can explore and that's only after you beat the game. Even the routes and caves are much too linear, with absolutely no room to explore, no secret rooms to find. And there's no justification for this linearity either; even though half of the place is urbanized they might as well just remove the routes and install a road through it because you can't even traverse on the grass because it's a shade darker than the rest of the route. There's not even really any trees blocking your path; the dark grass is too much for your delicate feet apparently.

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TRIFORCE89

Guide of Darkness

Age 33
Male
Temple of Light
Seen November 25th, 2017
Posted October 21st, 2016
8,122 posts
19.1 Years
I don't enjoy fully open world games. I find them overwhelming. Sim-type games though, I'm okay with that.

Call linear, but I like entering that confined little world with it's own set of rules. You know what you have to do, just gotta figure out how best to do it

I don't enjoy fully open world games. I find them overwhelming. Sim-type games though, I'm okay with that.

Call linear, but I like entering that confined little world with it's own set of rules. You know what you have to do, just gotta figure out how best to do it

Sonata

Don't let me disappear

Age 27
Male
Indiana
Seen 7 Hours Ago
Posted March 25th, 2023
13,619 posts
10.2 Years
If I had to choose I would take linearity over a completely open world. But if I'm not forced to choose and can have a happy medium then that's perfect. I can't stand being pushed in a certain direction by a game but I outright hate not having any guidance whatsoever. "Why aren't you doing what you're supposed to?" "YOU NEVER TOLD ME WHAT TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE!?"

Nolafus

Aspiring something

Age 27
Male
Lost in thought... again
Seen March 3rd, 2018
Posted March 11th, 2017
5,722 posts
10.9 Years
Considering my two favorite games are Mass Effect and Skyrim, I'll take the open worlds.

I just like exploring. I enjoy spending hours upon hours taking in all of the developer's efforts. It's incredible the amount of detail they put in, and I don't like being forced to stray down one path without any other options. You could argue that Mass Effect is like that, but the dialogue trees and side quests more than make up for it.

However, that doesn't mean I don't like all linear games. If the story is done well and is engaging, I'll love it.
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Satoshi Ookami

Memento Mori

Age 30
Male
Abyss of Time, Great Seal
Seen August 5th, 2018
Posted July 3rd, 2018
14,253 posts
14.8 Years
Linearity. I want to be absolutely sure I didn't miss anything in the game.
And that cannot be assured in OW game.
On the other hand, if it can be assured, then I'll take that one as well.
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Sylphiel

Between your fantasy and my reality
Seen March 28th, 2023
Posted January 9th, 2023
13,114 posts
18.5 Years
I actually don't mind linearity, to a point. While it's better for some games than others, I like having something that helps to drive the plot and guide me on where to go. Maybe I just like having that hook so if I do end up exploring, I still have something that's like "okay now you go here to go further."

What I don't like is when stuff is totally on-rails. There's linearity and then there's "go here or else, no other choice". If the game is just shuffling you from place to place, not ever giving you a chance to explore, then that bugs me. I can think of a few games that do this, and no, they're not my favorites at all. And then open-world stuff I don't tend to like at least in any serious capacity because I can never really focus on what I "should" be doing. If I can get distracted, I will get distracted. Oh I should be doing this? Nope brb going to go find the edges of the world just because.

So I guess I prefer linearity, but I like a bit of balance between the two. I want that plot hook to grab onto, but I also want to be able to go explore even random things if I feel like it.

Leviathan

What's the matter? Lives flashing before your eyes?

Age 29
Female
Ireland
Seen 2 Weeks Ago
Posted January 15th, 2023
1,103 posts
9.9 Years
I don't mind either types. Though, one of the biggest beefs I have with non-linear games is missing out on story developments! Sure, you usually have the mandatory missions to complete, but when the story tends to bounce around, especially if some developments are fleshed out in side missions, I get all muddled up.

Dragon

lover of milotics

Age 30
Male
Viridian City
Seen 5 Days Ago
Posted October 24th, 2022
11,170 posts
9.7 Years
Well, as long as the game is done well, I don't really mind linearity, or lack of linearity. Personally I used to prefer linearity more because it offers structure to a game, and you know, I'm a guy who gets lost preeeeetty easily upon new Zelda games, haha, so I personally don't mind that!

Playing a Link Between Worlds made me realize how a great possible open world game can be done well, and with the new open world Zelda game coming soon, I do hope that it will be executed well, with options on what to do, and nothing too confusing enough to not play!


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