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
We Were Here Forever
You both awaken imprisoned inside the sinister Castle Rock - were you betrayed, or simply not that clever? Find out in the greatest co-op puzzle adventure in the We Were Here Series! Do you and your partner have what it takes to face the dark forces of this realm or will you be trapped… forever?
Is Simon There?
A few months have passed since the death of my son, Simon. Ever since that tragic day, I find myself falling into the darkest emotions I could ever imagine. I am haunted everyday with what I have done; But sometimes, I am haunted by more than just my emotions...
The Gunk
The Gunk is an action-adventure game in which you play as Rani, part of our duo of gritty space haulers. As they’re struggling to bring in funds, they chance upon an untouched planet brimming with life. They came in search of valuable resources, and it looks like they’ve hit the jackpot…
Tag: The Power of Paint
The world is your canvas in this innovative first-person puzzle platformer. Tag walls and other surfaces with different colors of spray paint to reveal new ways to navigate each level, including bouncing off, sliding across, and sticking to the surfaces you paint.
Poop Clicker
Have you always wanted to be a king, but all the kingdoms are already taken? Try to be the Poop King in the Poop Clicker game! A magical unicorn, sweet corn and others will help you with this! Unlock special upgrades, but take your time, because haste makes waste!
Tap Ninja - Idle game
Defeat enemies, earn gold, upgrade your village, become a Ninja Master!
Cat Museum
Immerse yourself in the bizarre art style and the surreal world of Cat Museum, a 2D side-scrolling puzzle-adventure game. Solve the strange puzzles with your mischievous cat, and unveil the truth behind the mysterious museum.
The Legend of The Sacred Stone EX
An adaptation of the movie. And the voice was presented by Vincent Huang, a genius of the eight categories musical instrument in Chinese ancient orchestra.
Ero Manager
As a new guy, he is so nervous to report to his direct boss that he has never met before, but he didn't expect it to be a stern female boss like a queen. But this is what it looks like, but in reality, no one knows about her inner feelings. Challenge her bravely, and you may find out her secret.
The Odyssey of the Mammoth
Through lavish but perilous landscapes, assist a mammoth mother and her child escape from their extinction. Discover breathtaking views from 12,000 years ago. Beware of the increasingly hostile environment. Protect your offspring from the hunters tracking you and send them flying!
FAR: Changing Tides
An atmospheric vehicle adventure that follows the emotional journey of a boy and his ship as he embarks on a voyage to find a new home.
Blade&Sword
This game is an action role-playing game, in which players will be in the ancient time of more than 3000 years ago and use their swords to fight against the spirit of the Emperor Jo of Country Jo who is trying to annex the world.
Legend of the Outlaw Mage
Become the Outlaw Mage, wreaking havoc as you pursue the one who wronged you, casting and blasting your way in this Cowboy-Fantasy-themed 3rd-Person Action RPG.
Lust from Beyond: M Edition
Descend into madness in a first-person survival horror inspired by Lovecraft and Giger. Solve the mystery of esoteric cults. Cross the gate to the blasphemous land of Lusst’ghaa. Play the new M-rated cut of the fan-favorite Lust from Beyond.
Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem
Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem is a new stand-alone expansion to the world of the classic FPS series. Join the fight against Notorious Mental on a journey through the wild lands of Russia, and find your way through this lost chapter of Sam Stone's adventures.
Cave Crawler
Cave Crawler is a short, 2D side-scrolling action platformer. Explore caves filled with interesting enemies and fun platforming challenges.
Word Game
Word game is literally a game of words. Player controls "I" to find clues between lines, delete words to change the meaning of sentences, or shift words to rewrite facts. “I” must be wise and brave enough complete the mission of words. May the best "I” win!
Bouncy Goat Climb
A highly punishing 3D precision platformer about a goat bouncing up a beautiful mountain to save its scared baby goat. Can you handle the challenge and endure all obstacles that you will face on your way up the mountain?
VOCÊ É UM DEFUNTO MECÂNICO
Baleado até a morte, você é um defunto mecânico se lembrando de como morreu, e das vidas torturadas que agora ficam para trás. Uma aventura em prosa para 20 minutos de pavor existencial no presente pós-singularidade.
Crow Story
Jump, dive, and platform through this minimalistic indie 3D platformer about a little crow trying to save his friends.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