As the years have gone by and my responsibilities have increased,I’ve come to appreciate linear games more and more.
While the occasional sprawling open world to get lost in always feels great, these days I’m focused on concise games that offer shorter, more intense experiences.
From shooters to platformers, the beauty of this style of work is thatit adapts to any playable genre, allowing for a huge number of varied and outstanding experiences.
So, if you’re like me and have less time to play than you used to, but still love the interactive medium with a passion,I recommend checking out this ranked list of ten amazing linear games.
10The Last of Us 2
The True Cinematic Experience
The Last of Us Part 2
Even though I’m not exactly a fan of Naughty Dog’s work, I must admitThe Last of Us 2is one of those games that surprises you from the beginning.
Unlike the first entry, which is more rounded but less daring,Ellie’s journey is unexpected and shocking, with a magnificent rhythm and a playable expression that makes you feel you’re in a genuine apocalypse.
Thanks to the studio’s technical prowess,its realism reaches incomparable levels, being able to generate both narrative and audiovisual immersion that practically no other title can boast.
Although I think the game is too long and its themes are lukewarmly portrayed,The Last of Us 2 is a magnificent experiencethat, along with its predecessor, everyone should try at least once.
A High-octane Masterpiece
Being my first encounter with the series,DOOMwas a game-changer for my FPS standards.
If I’m honest, id Software’s creation captures the adrenaline-fueled fun so perfectly that it has been hard for me to play any shooter that isn’t on the same page.
Thanks to its effective progression, wonderful level design, and above all, its bloody and addictive combat,I don’t doubt it’s one of the best shooters ever created.
Plus,DOOM’s story is interesting but subtle, has a good dose of lore, and doesn’t beat around the bush to let you do what it knows you want to do:kill all the demons in the Underworld without blinking an eye.
8Titanfall 2
The Most Underrated FPS of the Generation
Titanfall 2
Every generation tends to leave us with a series ofunderrated gemsthe gaming community doesn’t appreciate as it should, includingTitanfall 2.
After spending years sporadically hearing how amazing it was,giving it a chance was one of the best decisions of my gaming life. As a lover of intense and memorable campaigns, Respawn Entertainment’s work felt like a blessing.
Titanfall 2is considerably short, but it more than makes up for it with how incredible it is in every aspect. The story is quite engaging, the graphics are gorgeous, and the gameplay is simply impeccable.
In addition, each level is a little world, and the game is constantly reinventing itself to never get stuck mechanically.It’s an outstanding shooter in every sense, to the level of being a must-have in the genre.
7Alan Wake
Writer’s Block Can Be Deadly
Speaking of underrated games, I’ve rarely been as surprised by a thriller as I was byAlan Wake,a weird experiencethat made me an instant fan of Remedy Entertainment.
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Thanks to its storytelling and outstanding writing,I was on the edge of my seat for the entire campaign, which lasted exactly as long as it needed to never run out of steam.
The plot twists, dialogue, cinematics, and even the chases are truly magnificent, despite the game’s limited gameplay.
Thus,Alan Wakebecame one of my favorite titles due to its tremendous charisma and uniqueness. While we could talk aboutAlan Wake 2as a far superior title,I wanted to focus on the original because of how well it has stood the test of time.
6Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The Icon of Action and Adventure
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Saying I’m not a fan of Naughty Dog’s creations and then putting two of their games on this list may seem strange, but I’d sayit’s a testament to their great work regarding single-player games.
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For this reason,Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Endis more than just one of the best linear titles; it is directlya candidate for the best action-adventure game in history.
Although I don’t vibe with theUncharted seriesas a whole, even I can admit that Nathan Drake’s latest installment is a practically perfect conclusion, standing out in every section you can think of.
In terms of gameplay, plot, visuals, and music,Uncharted 4 is a demonstration of why PlayStation exclusives are so highly praised. Perhaps, even, it’s the best of them all behindBloodborne.
5Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
A Historical Classic
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Even though I’ve been away from the franchise since 2014,Call of Dutyexperienced a golden age thanks to masterpieces likeCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
As the peak of war games, it’s a great example of what I consider a perfect sequel, improving upon everything seen in its predecessor.
The campaign is effusive and spectacular,packed with epic moments and sequences that excel in gameplay and visuals. It’s impossible to take your eyes off it for a second because, at every turn, there’s something incredible to see.
In terms of getting hooked, whether it’s because of the interesting story or the satisfying variety of gameplay,Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a marvelous video game.
4Mirror’s Edge
Art In Motion
Mirror’s Edge
The parkour variant of platform games is not exactly common, but I think that makes the greatMirror’s Edgeeven more valuable.
DICE’s title joins this century’s long list of criminally overlooked works becausewhat it generates in terms of sensations has not yet been matched to this day.
Thanks to its superb level design and magnificent controls, mastering Faith’s movement offers such satisfaction that you may’t help but want it to last forever.
Between theescape sequences, jumps between rooftops, and moments indoors where even the most mundane space becomes an opportunity to flow,Mirror’s Edge is as unique as it is incredible—a shooting star that stays with you for life.
3God of War 3
The Pinnacle of Hack-and-Slash
God of War III
While the originalGod of Wartrilogy comprises three masterpieces, we can easily callGod of War 3the pinnacle of hack-and-slash.
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The culmination of Kratos' vengeance is a brief war that throws gods at you incessantly to make you experience some of the genre’s most memorable fights andset pieces.
Destroying Olympus to close a story spanning years and multiple installments is among the industry’s highlights, andI doubt we will ever get to experience anything similar.
As a result,God of War 3is a milestone in itself, the crowning glory of a trilogy that marked an entire generation.
I don’t know if it’s my favorite hack-and-slash of all time, but what I do know is no other game has made me feel as alive as this one.
The Gem of Puzzlers
Since Valve is one of my all-time favorite developers, many of their games could have made it onto the list, but I wanted to stick withPortal 2,the best puzzle title ever.
Regarding linear adventures,few experiences are as captivating and surprising as this one. It exhibits such creativity and imagination that you may only feel amazed by each new challenge you witness.
Despite the firstPortalalready being incredible, the sequel is downright divine, oozing charisma and entertainment with an ease rarely seen in the industry.
Games likePortal 2are a vivid reminder of how special video games can be and their ability totransmit and teach more powerfully than any other audiovisual medium. Therefore, its presence in this article is mandatory for me.
1Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
An Unforgettable Journey
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
When video games were in their early stages,Hideo Kojimawas one of the biggest players in breaking barriers and exploring new horizons.
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Thus,Metal Gear Solidrevolutionized the medium,Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertytranscended the industry itself, andMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterturned out to be the perfect video game.
Whether you think about its use of cinematography, the complexity of the story and narrative, the extent of the stealth mechanics and level design, the soundtrack, or its anti-war message,there’s no way to miss its grandeur.
For its depth and tone,Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterwill forever be a bastion of video games andone of the best linear titles to bless the gaming community.
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