Best Linear Final Fantasy Games

Despite the Final Fantasy series becoming synonymous with the open-world genre, not every game in this immensely popular series allows players to explore a vast overworld at their leisure. In contrast, there’s been a few entries, mainline and spin-off, which are a lot more straightforward and linear. This doesn’t inherently need to be a bad thing though, as a linear game can come with some advantages, such as being able to tell a more focused story, and allowing the gameplay to feel much more accessible and easier to follow.

Sure, being able to venture through a large open world is always a ton of fun, but it can be nice to enjoy something a bit more linear now and again for a refreshing change of pace. Thankfully, there’s a few excellent Final Fantasy games which follow this formula, so it’s time to see how they match up in terms of overall quality.

6

Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7

Dirge Of Cerberus Will Appeal To Those Who Love Fast-Paced And Intense Third-Person Shooters

Third-Person Shooter

Action RPG

Systems

Released

August 15, 2006

ESRB

Teen // Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence

Dirge of Cerberus, one of the several spin-offs of Final Fantasy 7, plays unlike anything else seen in the series. The game is a third-person shooter, meaning the RPG mechanics have been dialed down, with more of an emphasis placed on fast and flashy gunplay. Like many third-person shooters at the time, Dirge of Cebrerus’ level design is primarily made up of narrow alleyways and corridors that players will need to venture through while blasting anyone who gets in their way.

Throughout the game, players will be able to acquire different weapons and upgrades for Vincent’s guns, which helps add some diversity to the core gameplay loop. As a sequel to the original Final Fantasy 7, the game also contains plenty of intriguing lore for Vincent, alongside expanding more on key characters like Nero and Weiss.

5

Final Fantasy 13

The Thirteenth Mainline Game Is Essentially One Giant Action-Packed Hallway

Released

March 9, 2010

ESRB

t

Final Fantasy 13’s linearity and lack of an overworld has been a topic of division for many years now. Each chapter of the game funnels the player through a set of straightforward paths which are packed full of enemies. The good news is, the combat in 13 is surprisingly deep, with the Paradigm system allowing players to conjure up all kinds of effective team formations, and because it’s real time, it ensures the battles also feel pretty intense to be a part of, especially going against the dreaded Eidolons.

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While some players didn’t enjoy the more narrow and isolated scope of the gameplay, those who came to warm up to the combat system found a lot to love with Final Fantasy 13. Having such linearity does also ensure the story moves at a steady pace, along with the character development relating to the quirky main party members, who all go through their own hardships.

4

Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origins

Each Of Stranger Of Paradise’ Levels Are Inspired By Areas From The Mainline Games

Released

March 18, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Though Stranger of Paradise is based within the Final Fantasy universe, acting as a prequel to the first game, the gameplay itself is essentially an entirely different genre from the mainline games. In Stranger of Paradise, players will be hacking and slashing their way through levels, but because each stage is based on areas from the main series, it allows for a lot of diversity and fanservice. One moment, Jack and the crew will be navigating their way through an ice palace, while the next, they’ll be tasked with venturing through a Mako Reactor.

Each of these levels are very straightforward and easy to follow, though there are still few gimmicks here and there to keep things interesting. This game leaves the world building and exploration aside to focus more on the thrill of chaotic combat, which manages to remain satisfying for an entire playthrough thanks to the Job variety, which is used to unlock new moves and abilities for Jack and the party.

3

Final Fantasy 16

Clive’s Epic Journey Of Revenge Is Largely Linear, But Packed Full Of Combat Sections And Flashy Cutscenes

Systems

Released

June 22, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Though Final Fantasy 16 does technically have open areas that players can explore, it doesn’t feature the same connected overworld that many of the games do. As a result, it’s often seen as a game which feels very linear, though with the flashy action combat, it means Clive’s grand adventure to avenge his brother never gets boring.

Most parts of Final Fantasy 16 will provide players with a long path which is crawling with monsters for Clive to slice and dice for some precious EXP; allowing players to acquire more destructive Eikon abilities that can be used to execute combos. The game does luckily have a fast travel option through the Obelisks, so players can return to previous areas and grind out some EXP if they wish, but while it’s quite linear in nature, Final Fantasy 16 is still a great entry in the series which stands out for its unique combat style and mature narrative.

2

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

The First Game In The Remake Trilogy Is More Of A Linear Character-Focused Experience

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Fighting

Action

Adventure

Systems

Released

April 10, 2020

ESRB

t

Since the first entry in the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy only focuses on Midgar, a very small portion of the original game, it means players don’t get to venture across the vast open overworld; this would come later in Rebirth. For Remake, Square Enix decided to create a neat and focused character-driven story which acts as a big introduction to the main party, the world, and the villain of Final Fantasy 7.

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As a result, Cloud’s journey is a mostly linear one, with the game slowly pushing players through each area while throwing in plenty of enemy encounters, which are all a lot of fun thanks to the action-turn-based hybrid combat system. Many of these areas, such as Sector 5 and Wall Market, for example, will also feature optional side quests to ensure players aren’t forced to move through an area too quickly, which is greatly appreciated considering how jawdropping the environments are from a visual perspective.

1

Final Fantasy 10

Square Enix Decided To Take A Linear Route To Tell Final Fantasy 10’s Ambitious Story

Systems

Released

December 17, 2001

ESRB

T for Teen: Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Considering Tidus and the rest of Final Fantasy 10’s party members are embarking on an epic pilgrimage, it wouldn’t make much sense for players to run to the other side of the map to finish off a few side quests or collect loot. As a result, in order to make the player feel as though they are steadily moving through the many different regions that make up Spira, the game is largely linear. What keeps the gameplay from ever becoming stale, though, is the minigames and extra missions that show up along the beaten path to keep things fresh.

Blitzball, for example, always provides a nice break from the turn-based combat, which is already extremely fun thanks to the in-battle strategic options and Sphere Grid progression system. This isn’t even mentioning the compelling story, which contains many thought-provoking themes centering around the nature of sin and the afterlife. Final Fantasy 10 continues to be one of the most fondly remembered games in the series despite its linearity, which just goes to show that having a large open world isn’t always a necessity for Final Fantasy games to be enjoyable.

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