How linear is Final Fantasy XIII compared to other RPGs?

You could say it’s less about just running down a hallway and more about what else the game gives you to do besides that. For example, FFX has tons of side stuff like blitzball, monster capturing, and other minigames that break up the linear story path. XIII is very focused on progressing the story and combat, so it can feel more like you have no choice but to move forward. But I think it’s intentional to keep the narrative tight.

Try turning off the automap if you’re feeling like it’s just a hallway. It doesn’t change the gameplay but suddenly you start to notice the environment more, which can make exploring less boring and more immersive. I felt the same way until I switched off that feature.

I played both FFX and XIII recently and I’d say FFX is overall more linear. FFX XIII feels a bit more open in areas, even though it mostly funnels you forward. FFX doesn’t really have open maps until the end, and you can only move forward. XIII also has a more modern, streamlined design with less side content, so it feels more focused but not necessarily more linear than others.

If we’re comparing linearity, FF XIII’s design is mostly a narrative tool. You’re literally following the characters’ path without detours, which fits the story’s themes about destiny and control. Once the game lets you roam later on, it opens up more, but until then, it’s definitely a guided experience. So it’s linear on purpose rather than laziness or bad design.

Honestly, FF XIII isn’t the most linear RPG ever. Compared to other JRPGs, it’s pretty typical. Some people say it’s more linear than other Final Fantasy games, but even then, titles like FFX are similar or sometimes even more linear in their structure. The main difference is that FFX lets you backtrack more, even if it’s just retracing steps, so it feels a tiny bit less like a straight hallway.