Best Linear games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated linear games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free linear games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Dreams of Aether
A collection of dozens of Aether-flavored microgames! Dive into the Dreams of Aether, where everyone is trapped in a never-ending nightmare! Meet some of the strangest characters Aether has to offer!
Ambidextro
A multi-player game for a single player. Learn to control 2 characters at the same time, one with each hand. Achieve ambidexterity and rescue both the prince and the princess at the same time.
ENA: Dream BBQ
Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.
The Children of Clay
The Children of Clay is a short stop motion archeology horror game, where you have to study an ancient artefact and discover its dark secret.
Project Hailstorm
Step into the shoes of a researcher in the depths of the antarctic and uncover the mysteries behind Project Hailstorm.
Big Helmet Heroes
Throw yourself into an epic 3D beat’em up adventure with adorable knights, full of surprising worlds and situations. Grab your buddy and play in 2 player co-op to save the princess, but this is only the beginning!
of the Devil
Immerse yourself in neon, smoke, and high-stakes legal gambles as a Defense Attorney with uniquely Killer insights in this episodic, diabolically stylish visual novel adventure game.
Jaded
A fast-paced platformer where you can slash, dash, and control time. Slow down the frenzy of combat and find the right moment to strike! Then, aim the 360-degree dash and zoom away at lightning speed! Master your abilities to maneuver around obstacles and vaporize foes before they can touch you.
Chicken Hill
Find 250 Genjouin of various species and hundreds of items for brother KUN. Rescue your frustrated and devastated brother KUN in the KUN space. We are the most devout believers.
Make Good Choices
You’re just trying to get home. It’s only a quarter mile. One street. What could go wrong.
Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL
Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL is a rhythm game for keyboard set against a space exploration backdrop. Captain your science vessel alongside your navigator Shii as you explore the vast Sixtar system!
Locked In Mind
In Locked in Mind, you are trapped in a virtual escape room full of puzzles. Use your wits to solve them at your own pace without the pressure of a time limit. Perfect for players of all skill levels. Start your adventure today!
Zort
Zort is an action, adventure, and horror game that can be played with up to 4 people. Explore maps with your friends and have fun while escaping from various creatures. Experience a realistic horror experience with in-game voice chat with your friends!
Mindlock - The Apartment
Colin’s apartment maze has puzzles, dialogues, and some dry humor waiting for you. A surreal adventure of a special kind.
Arisen Force: Life Devotee
Enjoy a free-to-play, stylish action combat experience as you explore a chapter storylines from Journey to the West.
Loco Motive
On the Reuss Express a passenger has been murdered, and you’re the prime suspects. Uncover a thrilling mystery and solve satisfying point and click puzzles to prove your innocence! A slapstick adventure, packed full of deadly surprises, shocking twists and larger than life characters!
Deep Space Cache
Deep Space Cache is a short & simple semi-idle bullet heaven incremental asteroid miner game.
Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery
Dive into the most fun idle fishing arcade game! Manage your Fish Kingdoms with automated fishing, upgrade your boat and gear, invest in passive income, and outsmart the market. Become the ultimate fish tycoon!
Great God Grove
THE WORLD IS ENDING AND THE GODS ARE SQUABBLING! Suck up and launch dialogue in a world of puzzles, puppets, and weird gods… or THE RIFT WILL CONSUME US ALL!![420BLAZEIT 2: GAME OF THE YEAR -=Dank Dreams and Goated Memes=- [#wow/11 Like and Subscribe] Poggerz Edition](https://shared.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/2624280/e807156b174217e203000946881ca014ac2f8a9a/header_alt_assets_0.jpg)
420BLAZEIT 2: GAME OF THE YEAR -=Dank Dreams and Goated Memes=- [#wow/11 Like and Subscribe] Poggerz Edition
Prepare yourself for the long awaited sequel. You will blaze it. You will no scope. You will see some weird af s*** as you fight and xD in 999fps to destroy the Illuminati and rescue the memes. Are you ready for 420BLAZEIT 2????!!1
Mind Over Magnet
An attractive puzzle platformer where you use magnetism to escape a factory. Meet a cast of magnet characters and work together to solve logical conundrums.
RATSHAKER™
RATSHAKER™ is the fun and quirky solution to all your rat problems! Hold on to the RAT, shake your arm, and watch life’s problems disappear! How far can you go?
Hidden Capybaras with Orange and Pumpkins: Spooky Halloween Edition
Celebrate Halloween night with cute capybaras with orange! Find all the hidden capybaras in their Halloween costumes and light up the town on this magical night. A fun-filled adventure awaits you!Most played linear games on Steam
Take a look at the top linear games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. FINAL FANTASY® XIII
Final Fantasy XIII is a fantasy RPG in which a band of brave humans struggle against fate in the utopian sky city of Cocoon and the primeval world of Pulse. Follow stylish heroine Lightning's fast paced battles and high adventure in a mysterious new world. FINAL FANTASY® XIII is a jrpg, rpg and linear game developed and published by Square Enix. Released on October 09th 2014 has received 17,701 reviews of which 13,291 were positive and 4,410 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played linear game, thanks to its 401 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.4
13,291
4,410
401
players
2. Spilled!
Clean up ocean waste in this short & relaxing game! Recycle, earn coins and upgrade your boat. Explore new areas. Clean bigger spills and different kinds of waste! Spilled! is a short, relaxing and casual game developed and published by Lente. Released on March 26th 2025 has received 1,889 reviews of which 1,810 were positive and 79 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
1,810
79
44
players
3. No Straight Roads: Encore Edition
Start a rock band & end the EDM empire in NO STRAIGHT ROADS, a rockin' action-adventure that mashes together rhythm-infused third-person combat with a kick-ass soundtrack! No Straight Roads: Encore Edition is a action, rhythm and electronic music game developed by Metronomik and published by Fireshine Games. Released on October 21st 2021 has received 1,670 reviews of which 1,506 were positive and 164 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played linear games.
8.6
1,506
164
15
players
4. Meg's Monster
Take control of the Underworld’s grumpiest ghoul to help a lost little girl find her way home in this creepy-cute indie adventure. Just be warned: if she cries, the whole world dies. Meg's Monster is a indie, pixel graphics and linear game developed and published by Odencat. Released on March 02nd 2023 has received 1,060 reviews of which 1,027 were positive and 33 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
1,027
33
4
players
5. Nocturnal
Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what secrets lie beyond the Mist in this intense 3-hour-long action-platformer game. Get ready to wield the flames and burn everything! Nocturnal is a side scroller, action-adventure and linear game developed by Sunnyside Games and published by Dear Villagers. Released on June 07th 2023 has received 329 reviews of which 302 were positive and 27 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played linear games.
8.5
302
27
3
players
6. South Scrimshaw, Part One
South Scrimshaw is the story of a newborn whale in a vast alien ocean. It is a richly illustrated experimental visual novel, written in the style of a nature documentary. South Scrimshaw, Part One is a linear, sci-fi and hand-drawn game developed and published by Nathan O. Marsh. Released on June 09th 2023 has received 1,345 reviews of which 1,334 were positive and 11 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played linear games.
9.4
1,334
11
1
players
7. Hook 2
Get Hook’d on unhooking the hooks again. Hook 2 is a puzzle, 3d and relaxing game developed and published by Maciej Targoni. Released on June 29th 2022 has received 697 reviews of which 681 were positive and 16 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
681
16
1
players
8. Momotype
An experimental, horror visual novel about raising a virtual pet. Help a tamagotchi-like creature navigate his angst. We love Momo! Momotype is a visual novel, cute and dark game developed by and published by Rimatoad. Released on December 03rd 2021 has received 731 reviews of which 711 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
711
20
1
players
9. Indie Game: The Movie
The emotional journey of four developers as they sacrifice money, health and sanity to realize their lifelong dreams of sharing their games with the world. Indie Game: The Movie is a movie, documentary and indie game developed and published by BlinkWorks Media. Released on June 12th 2012 has received 1,851 reviews of which 1,708 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played linear games.
8.8
1,708
143
1
players
10. Crow Story
Jump, dive, and platform through this minimalistic indie 3D platformer about a little crow trying to save his friends. Crow Story is a 3d platformer, 3d and atmospheric game developed and published by log64. Released on December 24th 2021 has received 338 reviews of which 320 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played linear games.
8.7
320
18
Best deals on linear games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of linear games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted linear games.
1. No Straight Roads: Encore Edition
Start a rock band & end the EDM empire in NO STRAIGHT ROADS, a rockin' action-adventure that mashes together rhythm-infused third-person combat with a kick-ass soundtrack! No Straight Roads: Encore Edition is a action, rhythm and electronic music game developed by Metronomik and published by Fireshine Games. Released on October 21st 2021 has received 1,670 reviews of which 1,506 were positive and 164 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 81% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for linear category.
8.6
1,506
164
-81%
24.53€
4.66€
2. Nocturnal
Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what secrets lie beyond the Mist in this intense 3-hour-long action-platformer game. Get ready to wield the flames and burn everything! Nocturnal is a side scroller, action-adventure and linear game developed by Sunnyside Games and published by Dear Villagers. Released on June 07th 2023 has received 329 reviews of which 302 were positive and 27 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 80% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in linear games.
8.5
302
27
-80%
16.99€
3.39€
Free linear games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play linear games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play linear games.
1. South Scrimshaw, Part One
South Scrimshaw is the story of a newborn whale in a vast alien ocean. It is a richly illustrated experimental visual novel, written in the style of a nature documentary. South Scrimshaw, Part One is a linear, sci-fi and hand-drawn game developed and published by Nathan O. Marsh. Released on June 09th 2023 has received 1,345 reviews of which 1,334 were positive and 11 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.4
1,334
11
1
players
2. Momotype
An experimental, horror visual novel about raising a virtual pet. Help a tamagotchi-like creature navigate his angst. We love Momo! Momotype is a visual novel, cute and dark game developed by and published by Rimatoad. Released on December 03rd 2021 has received 731 reviews of which 711 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.1
711
20
1
players
3. Crow Story
Jump, dive, and platform through this minimalistic indie 3D platformer about a little crow trying to save his friends. Crow Story is a 3d platformer, 3d and atmospheric game developed and published by log64. Released on December 24th 2021 has received 338 reviews of which 320 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
8.7
320
18
4. Bleeding Roots
Bleeding Roots is a free fifteen minute horror game about a man taking care of his plants throughout the seasons. Bleeding Roots is a horror, atmospheric and linear game developed by Mechanikoi and Luka Hizo Algo and published by Mechanikoi. Released on September 07th 2024 has received 338 reviews of which 312 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
8.5
312
26
5. Han'yo
After witnessing her village being destroyed and slaughtered by the Oni demon, Hiroko has only one goal: revenge. Join this young samurai in this 2D side-scrolling platformer. Han'yo is a action, side scroller and action-adventure game developed by DigiPen Europe-Bilbao and published by DigiPen Institute of Technology. Released on September 24th 2022 has received 334 reviews of which 281 were positive and 53 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
7.8
281
53