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00:00Linear games are incredibly strong when it comes to story, smooth gameplay, and character development.
00:07These games have the power to move us and make us truly connect with their protagonists.
00:12They literally leave a mark on our lives.
00:15I honestly believe these are the best ones ever made.
00:19I'm sure you're going to agree with this list, and if you haven't played some of them yet, you have no idea what you're missing.
00:25No fluff, no sponsored picks, no sugarcoating.
00:28Let's jump straight into the list.
00:32One. Metro Exodus.
00:35Kicking off this list with a game that masterfully blended linear intensity with large open-ended environments.
00:42Metro Exodus.
00:44This is a masterpiece of atmospheric immersion.
00:47What makes Exodus one of the best linear games is its unmatched atmosphere and sense of journey.
00:53While the game has massive semi-open sandbox sections, the core experience is a tightly controlled, narrative-driven trek across post-apocalyptic Russia aboard the Aurora train.
01:05The survival elements, managing gas masks, filtering air and maintaining weapons, kept the tension high and made every location feel utterly hostile.
01:15The gameplay is gritty and deliberate.
01:18The combat feels heavy and desperate, whether you're fighting mutated creatures or fanatical human cults.
01:25But the true value is in the exploration of those confined linear bunkers and irradiated tunnels.
01:31The tension is suffocating.
01:34Artyom is a compelling, quiet protagonist.
01:37And the story is deeply personal, focusing on hope and family in a broken world.
01:42The ending is heavily impacted by your moral choices, which gives it massive weight.
01:47My only critique is that the English voice acting was a bit hit or miss sometimes.
01:52But for delivering a relentless, atmosphere-heavy and deeply personal survival journey, Metro Exodus is a linear experience that stays with you.
02:04Next up, we have a game that pushed the limits of emotional storytelling and high-stakes tension.
02:10The Last of Us Part 2.
02:12This one is a relentless narrative experience.
02:16The strength of this game lies in its unflinching narrative and character depth.
02:21The story is dark, difficult, and brilliant, focusing on the brutal cycle of violence and revenge through the eyes of two protagonists, Ellie and Abby.
02:32It's the kind of complex narrative that forces you to feel uncomfortable and truly empathize with every side.
02:39The gameplay is intense, visceral survival horror.
02:42Every encounter with the infected or hostile human factions is a desperate struggle for survival.
02:48The crafting, the stealth, and the sheer brutality of the combat are masterfully tuned to keep your anxiety levels maxed out.
02:57The fidelity on the PS5 makes the world feel incredibly real.
03:01The protagonists, Ellie and Abby, are among the most complex characters in deeming history.
03:07Their journeys are heartbreaking and unforgettable.
03:10My only warning is that the dark themes and violence are not easy to stomach, which is by design.
03:16But for delivering an incredibly polished, technically stunning, and emotionally resonant linear experience that will leave a permanent mark on your life,
03:25The Last of Us Part 2 is an absolute masterpiece.
03:28Number three, The Order, 1886.
03:37All right, let's talk about a game that delivered unparalleled cinematic flair and atmosphere, despite its shorter length.
03:44The Order, 1886.
03:47The uniqueness here is the stunning visual fidelity and immersive setting.
03:52This game looked absolutely jaw-dropping when it first launched, and it still holds up beautifully.
03:58London in the late 1800s, mixing Victorian architecture with steampunk technology, and a secret order of knights fighting werewolves.
04:08The atmosphere is thick and compelling.
04:11The gameplay is a tight, third-person cover shooter that focuses on smooth, polished action.
04:17It's very linear, which allows the developer to perfectly frame every intense shootout and cinematic moment.
04:25The cool Tesla technology weapons made the combat feel unique.
04:29Sir Galahad is a great protagonist, and the story, while criticized for being short, is incredibly focused and cinematic, delivering excellent character moments and world-building.
04:41My only valid complaint is that the runtime was too short.
04:45I desperately wanted more of that world and story.
04:49But for delivering a pure, high-quality, cinematic and atmospheric experience that respects its own tight structure,
04:57The Order, 1886 is a gem that is worth playing.
05:014. A Plague Tale Requiem
05:07Next up, let's talk about a game that delivered gut-wrenching emotional connection and terrifying threat.
05:16A Plague Tale Requiem.
05:18This sequel absolutely blew me away.
05:21The core strength here is the emotional narrative and the relentless escalation of threat.
05:26The story of Amicia and her brother Hugo is deeply moving and personal,
05:31focusing on their bond as they flee from both the Inquisition and millions of flesh-eating rats.
05:38The game does an incredible job of making you feel protective and desperate.
05:43The gameplay is a tense blend of stealth, puzzle-solving, and survival.
05:49The rat mechanics were terrifying.
05:51Seeing entire environments blanketed by a swarm of thousands of rats is pure dread.
05:58Amicia's evolution into a more capable but psychologically fragile survivor made the encounters feel intense.
06:06Amicia and Hugo are two of the most well-written protagonists in modern gaming.
06:11Their connection is the entire heart of the experience.
06:15My only piece of advice is that this game is emotionally draining.
06:19The themes are dark, and the story doesn't pull its punches.
06:23But for delivering an absolutely gorgeous, emotionally resonant, and utterly terrifying linear adventure,
06:30a Plague Tale Requiem is an essential narrative powerhouse.
06:38Number 5. Titanfall 2.
06:41Next on the list is a game that is often cited as having one of the best FPS campaigns ever made.
06:47Titanfall 2.
06:49This one is pure, relentless, inventive action.
06:53The strength of Titanfall 2 is its incredible pacing and gameplay innovation.
06:58The campaign is a rollercoaster of unique, mind-bending level design that constantly introduces new mechanics.
07:06The level, effect, and cause, which involves jumping between two different timelines,
07:11is absolute genius and a hallmark of fantastic linear design.
07:16The gameplay is fluid, fast, and satisfying.
07:20You seamlessly transition between the parkour movement as a pilot, wall running, double jumping,
07:26and the heavy, powerful mech combat inside your Titan, BT-7274.
07:32That constant shift in scale and perspective is what made the campaign so brilliant.
07:38The protagonist, Jack Cooper, and his relationship with the Titan, BT, is the emotional core.
07:45Their bond felt genuine, making the story surprisingly heartwarming amid the chaos.
07:50My only frustration is that the campaign was criminally short, but honestly, every second was packed with perfection.
07:59For delivering an incredibly innovative, tightly-paced, and action-packed linear FPS experience,
08:06Titanfall 2 is a mandatory inclusion on this list.
08:126. Control
08:14Let's talk about a game that delivered mind-bending sci-fi narrative and awesome powers.
08:20Control.
08:21Remedy Entertainment absolutely nailed the atmosphere with this one.
08:26The uniqueness of Control is the atmosphere and the psychedelic world design.
08:30The Federal Bureau of Control, FVC Headquarters, the oldest house,
08:35is a massive, shifting, brutalist building that feels like a character itself.
08:39The constant environmental shifts, the bizarre lore, and the Twin Peaks-level weirdness
08:45make the linear progression unpredictable and compelling.
08:49The gameplay is pure, kinetic fun.
08:52Playing as Jesse Fading, you combine tight third-person shooting with incredible superpowers,
08:57like launch, throwing objects, levitation, and shield.
09:01That feeling of floating through a massive room, blasting enemies with telekinesis while debris flies everywhere,
09:07that's pure satisfaction.
09:10The protagonist, Jesse Fading, is a great lead whose internal journey and search for her brother
09:15drive the complex mystery.
09:18My only critique is that the map design could sometimes be confusing,
09:22making navigation a little frustrating.
09:25But for delivering a stunning, visually unique, and powers-focused linear adventure
09:29with an incredible narrative premise, Control is a masterpiece.
09:337. God of War 2018
09:39Next up, a game that redefined a legendary franchise through narrative focus, God of War 2018.
09:48This is a game about fatherhood, not just vengeance.
09:53The strength of God of War is the tightly focused narrative and emotional depth.
09:58The game is technically semi-open in some areas, but the core journey of Kratos and Atreus
10:04through the Norse realms is a linear, deeply personal narrative.
10:09That focus allowed the developers to deliver incredible character development and emotional weight.
10:16The gameplay is phenomenal.
10:18Kratos' Leviathan Axe is one of the most satisfying weapons in gaming.
10:24The heavy, brutal combat and the amazing feeling of throwing the axe and having it snap back to your hand never gets old.
10:32The camera work, staying tight on the action in one seamless shot, reinforces the immersion.
10:39The protagonist, Kratos, is one of gaming's greatest transformations.
10:45Watching his shift from the pure rage of the past to a stoic, struggling father is incredibly moving.
10:53My only tiny critique is that the initial side quests felt a little padded, but the main story more than makes up for it.
11:01For delivering brutal action, unmatched character depth, and a compelling emotional journey, God of War is an essential linear experience.
11:158. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
11:18And finally for this segment, we have a series that proves linear games can deliver the most epic, far-reaching narratives ever.
11:27Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
11:29This is thousands of hours of content rolled into one essential package.
11:35The unique value is the unparalleled narrative scope and player choice.
11:39While the levels themselves are linear, the decisions you make across three massive games define the galaxy.
11:46That feeling of Commander Shepard being your Shepard, your choices determining the fate of entire alien races,
11:54is an incredible, unique experience that few games can match.
11:58The gameplay is a fantastic blend of third-person shooting and deep RPG squad tactics.
12:05Customizing your squad, managing their abilities, and diving into complex lore are incredibly addictive.
12:12The upgrades to the first game in the Legendary Edition make the entire trilogy play seamlessly.
12:18Commander Shepard is an iconic protagonist,
12:21and the squad mates, Garrus, Liara, Rex, are some of the most beloved characters in fiction.
12:28My only pain point is the sheer length.
12:31You have to commit serious time to this trilogy.
12:33But for delivering a monumental, emotionally grouping, and choice-driven science fiction narrative
12:39that genuinely makes you feel like the most important person in the galaxy,
12:44Mass Effect is easily one of the greatest linear experiences ever made.
12:529. Uncharted 4 A Thief's End
12:56Next up, let's talk about the absolute pinnacle of cinematic adventure gaming,
13:02Uncharted 4 A Thief's End.
13:04Naughty Dog truly delivered a masterpiece that felt like playing a blockbuster movie.
13:11The strength of Uncharted 4 is its unmatched cinematic pacing and set pieces.
13:16The game is essentially a perfect summer action movie.
13:20You're constantly moving through exotic locations,
13:23from massive auction houses to dense jungles,
13:26and every single moment is beautifully choreographed.
13:29That feeling of sliding down a muddy hill or hanging onto a cargo net as a city crumbles around you?
13:36Pure spectacle.
13:38The gameplay is a perfect mix of polished third-person shooting,
13:43athletic traversal, and light puzzle solving.
13:46The introduction of the grappling hook added an incredible dynamic element
13:50to both the exploration and the combat encounters.
13:53Nathan Drake is an iconic protagonist,
13:55and this story, focusing on his past, his relationship with Elena, and his brother Sam,
14:01is the most personal and emotionally satisfying of the entire series.
14:06My only complaint is that the puzzles were sometimes a little too easy,
14:10but honestly, that never slowed down the amazing momentum.
14:14For delivering the most polished, exciting, and emotionally resonant cinematic adventure ever made,
14:21Uncharted 4 is a legendary linear game.
14:25Let's switch gears completely and talk about a game that is a work of pure artistic and emotional beauty.
14:39Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
14:42The uniqueness here is the stunning artistry and fluid platforming.
14:46The game world is a visual masterpiece,
14:49hand-drawn, vibrant, and incredibly evocative.
14:53While the world is interconnected, like a metroidvania,
14:57the emotional and narrative path is tightly linear,
15:01driving you forward through a poignant story.
15:04The gameplay is fluid, demanding, and utterly satisfying platforming.
15:09Ori's movement is incredibly responsive,
15:12allowing for dazzling aerial maneuvers.
15:15The combat system, utilizing light magic attacks, is fast and fun.
15:19The constant introduction of new abilities keeps the traversal feeling fresh throughout the entire experience.
15:27The story is a gorgeous, heartbreaking tale about friendship, loss, and sacrifice.
15:33It relies almost entirely on visual storytelling and music, which hits you right in the gut.
15:39My only minor critique is that some of the boss battles felt overly challenging compared to the game's generally serene mood.
15:48But for delivering unparameled beauty, fluid platforming, and an emotional narrative that will make you openly weep,
15:55Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a linear experience of the highest order.
16:00Number 11. Resident Evil 2 Remake
16:07Next up, a game that redefined survival horror for the modern era.
16:12Resident Evil 2 Remake.
16:15This game proved how powerful a tightly focused linear horror experience can be.
16:21The strength of this game is the unrelenting tension and atmosphere.
16:26The Raccoon City Police Department is one of the most iconic horror settings ever,
16:32and the remake maximized its claustrophobic dread.
16:36The game brilliantly limits your resources, forcing you to constantly manage inventory and make terrifying decisions.
16:43The gameplay is perfect survival horror.
16:47The over-the-shoulder perspective adds intense realism, and the combat is heavy, emphasizing precision.
16:54And let's not forget the tyrant, or Mr. X.
16:57That constant, terrifying, stalking presence changes the game,
17:02turning careful exploration into desperate flight.
17:06Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield are iconic protagonists,
17:10and playing through their two separate scenarios gives the game amazing replay value and narrative depth.
17:17My only critique is that sometimes the second run felt a little too similar to the first run.
17:23But for delivering an incredibly polished, terrifying, and atmospheric linear horror masterpiece
17:29that holds nothing back, Resident Evil 2 Remake is mandatory.
17:3412. Rise of the Tomb Raider
17:41Let's talk about a game that delivered epic scale and pure high-octane action adventure, Rise of the Tomb Raider.
17:50This is Laura Croft at her adventurous best.
17:53The strength here is the cinematic scale and environmental variety.
17:58While the game has large hub areas to explore, the core path is a tightly written adventure
18:04that takes Laura from the dense, snowy peaks of Siberia to hidden, ancient ruins.
18:10The set pieces, like escaping a massive avalanche or traversing crumbling structures, are breathtaking.
18:17The gameplay is a fantastic blend of challenging platforming, satisfying third-person combat, and brilliant tomb raiding.
18:25The combat felt incredibly responsive, and the ability to craft unique arrows and gear added great variety to the encounters.
18:34The tombs themselves were complex, optional puzzles that rewarded exploration.
18:39Laura Croft is a fantastic protagonist, determined, smart, and driven.
18:46Her quest to uncover her father's research is personal and compelling.
18:51My one small issue is that the story sometimes felt a little predictable.
18:56But for delivering massive, beautifully designed environments, challenging puzzle tombs, and non-stop cinematic adventure,
19:03Rise of the Tomb Raider is a benchmark for the modern, linear action genre.
19:08Let's dive into pure, atmospheric storytelling with Alan Wake Remastered.
19:22This game is a masterclass in blending action, thriller, and horror.
19:27The strength of Alan Wake is its unique narrative structure and atmosphere.
19:32The game is tightly linear, structured like episodes of a TV show,
19:37which perfectly suits its Twilight Zone-esque story.
19:41You're constantly fighting the darkness, and the setting of Bright Falls, Washington is thick with dread and mystery.
19:48The gameplay is unique because it's based on light as a weapon.
19:52You have to burn away the darkness surrounding enemies before you can shoot them.
19:57That dual-layer combat system is brilliant, and adds a fantastic tactical element to every encounter.
20:03The tension of managing your flashlight batteries and ammo is constantly high.
20:09Alan Wake is a compelling protagonist, a writer fighting his own creation.
20:15The meta-narrative, where the events are literally being written as you play them, is genius.
20:20Number 14. Devil May Cry 5
20:28Next up, let's talk about the undisputed king of stylistic action combat, Devil May Cry 5.
20:36This game is a pure visual and mechanical feast.
20:40The value here is the deep, skill-based combat system.
20:44The game is aggressively linear, but that focus allows the developers to craft perfect arena encounters.
20:52Playing as Dante, Nero, and V, each character has a completely different and ridiculously deep fighting style.
20:59The goal is pure style.
21:02Mastering combos to achieve that coveted SSS rank is an obsession.
21:07The gameplay is fast, fluid, and visually spectacular.
21:13The sheer kinetic energy of the battles, the constant weapon switching, and the ability to juggle demons in the air, it's exhilarating.
21:21The progression is addictive, constantly unlocking new moves and abilities to enhance your style.
21:28The protagonists, Nero and Dante, are iconic, and their complex family dynamic drives the over-the-top but incredibly fun story.
21:36My only point of concern is that the sheer complexity of the combat can be overwhelming for beginners, but the payoff is massive.
21:46For delivering the most refined, stylish, and rewarding character action combat system ever, Devil May Cry 5 is an absolute benchmark.
22:0015. Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice
22:03Let's talk about a game that delivered profound emotional narrative and unmatched immersion.
22:10Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice
22:13This is a shorter but deeply powerful linear experience.
22:18The unique value here is the uncompromising focus on mental health and immersion.
22:23Playing as Senua, the game uses binaural audio, 3D sound, to place you directly inside her mind, hearing her voices, psychosis.
22:34This creates an incredibly tense, personal, and atmospheric journey through Norse mythology and internal struggle.
22:43The gameplay is a mix of simple but impactful combat and clever environmental puzzles.
22:49The combat is heavy, brutal, and visceral, making every fight feel desperate.
22:56The true genius lies in the audio design, which is essential to solving puzzles and driving the narrative.
23:02Senua is a deeply complex and heartbreaking protagonist.
23:07Her journey into Helheim to save her lover's soul is a powerful, educational, and emotionally exhausting experience.
23:17My only critique is that the combat system is somewhat repetitive, but it completely serves the narrative focus.
23:23For delivering an utterly unique, visually stunning, and profound emotional story that truly pushes the boundaries of immersion,
23:33Hellblade is one of the best linear games ever made.
23:40Number 16. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
23:44Next up, a game that delivered unexpected heart, humor, and pure team dynamics.
23:51Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
23:53This was the ultimate feel-good linear action-adventure.
23:57The value here is the perfect character chemistry and dialogue.
24:02The banter between Star-Lord, Rocket, Gamora, Drax, and Groot is non-stop, genuinely hilarious,
24:10and drives the entire linear experience forward.
24:13The story felt like a high-budget, well-written Marvel movie.
24:18The gameplay is a chaotic, fun blend of third-person shooting and tactical squadron.
24:24Playing as Star-Lord, you're constantly commanding your teammates to use their unique abilities to stun and damage enemies.
24:31Mastering the flow of using Rocket's grenades, Drax's charges, and Gamora's blades made the combat deep and satisfying.
24:40And the huddle mechanic with the 80s music? Pure dopamine.
24:43The protagonists, this dysfunctional family of misfits, are fantastic.
24:49The story is surprisingly emotional and features some awesome villains.
24:54My only complaint is that the environments sometimes felt a little too linear when I wanted to explore more.
25:00But for delivering an exceptional story, laugh-out-loud humor, and deep character dynamics,
25:06Guardians of the Galaxy is a must-play linear adventure.
25:10Let's talk about the absolute gold standard for survival horror remakes, Dead Space.
25:22This game is a masterclass in tension and atmospheric dread.
25:27The strength here is the immersive, claustrophobic atmosphere.
25:31The USG Ishimura is a terrifying setting, and the developers used the PS5's fidelity and 3D audio to create a constant sense of vulnerability.
25:42The game is tightly linear, which keeps the tension perpetually high.
25:47The gameplay is uniquely focused on strategic dismemberment.
25:52You're not aiming for the head.
25:53You're strategically slicing off the limbs of the terrifying necromorphs with the plasma cutter.
25:59That slow, heavy combat loop is incredibly satisfying, and adds so much weight to every encounter.
26:07Isaac Clarke's silent, desperate journey to find his partner is compelling,
26:11and the added depth to the lore made the world feel even more horrifying.
26:16My only caution is that the horror and violence are intense, which is exactly why it's so good.
26:23But for delivering a stunning, technically perfect, and viscerally tense linear horror experience,
26:29Dead Space is an essential benchmark.
26:3518. Star Wars Jedi Survivor
26:39And finally, to cap off this list of linear legends, we have a game that delivered immense Star Wars immersion and fluid lightsaber action.
26:48Star Wars Jedi Survivor
26:50The strength of this game is the fluid lightsaber combat and the character journey.
26:56While the game features massive hub worlds, the core narrative path is a tightly written adventure that expands Cal Kestis' story.
27:03The lightsaber stances, like the dual wield and the heavy crossguard, added fantastic depth, making every fight feel like an authentic Jedi duel.
27:14The gameplay is a perfect mix of challenging souls-like combat, amazing platforming, and meaningful exploration.
27:20The sense of progression, unlocking new force powers and abilities to access previously hidden areas, is incredibly addictive.
27:29Cal Kestis is a great protagonist, and his journey to survive and grow in the shadow of the Empire is deeply personal and compelling.
27:38My only critique is that the technical performance at launch was rough, but post-patch, the game is fantastic.
27:44For delivering an epic, emotionally engaging, and mechanically brilliant linear Star Wars adventure, Jedi Survivor is a must-play.
27:54And that is the list, guys!
27:5718 absolute masterpieces that prove linear games are not just alive, but they are essential for delivering the most focused, emotional, and cinematic experiences in gaming.
28:10Now, I want to hear from you.
28:12Which linear game on this list defined your gaming life?
28:16Was there a single-player legend I criminally missed?
28:20Let me know all your authentic opinions down in the comments below.
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