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
Discolored
Locals whisper of a roadside diner that’s lost its color. You are sent to investigate.
Fishing Adventure
Fishing Adventure is a typical fishing game, where the player can (drums) catch different fish species! Fish in USA, Hawaii and other unique fisheries.
We Were Here Together
As we explore these frozen wastes, misfortune strikes once again. Through the fierce blizzard, a flare lights the sky, followed by a cry for help over the radio - broken, dying... No one else can come to their rescue. Can we make it back - together?
Nobodies: Murder Cleaner
Nobodies is a puzzle-filled point-and-click adventure in which you must cover up government-sanctioned assassinations. Hide the bodies, destroy the evidence, and leave no trace you were ever there. They do the dirty work. You clean it up.
ARIDA: Backland's Awakening
ARIDA: Backland's Awakening. A story of survival and adventure in the brazilian backlands. Face the drought to explore the more arid regions, gather resources and discover clues about the fate of the young Cícera.
Nice Jumper
Ready to test your reaction?
Smile For Me
A heartbroken clown, wayward souls, and juicy mechanical lips. As “The Big Event" draws near, help the troubled residents of the Habitat and de-mask the mysterious Doctor Habit... before it's too late.
FREEDIVER: Triton Down
Plunge into VR on a capsizing research ship, the Triton, where survival means outmaneuvering the water's lethal surge. Freedive through a sinking ship, overcome underwater chaos, and unlock your path to the surface, all while protecting your most precious resource: the breath in your lungs.
Vectronom
Welcome to the psychedelic world of Vectronom: experience waves of color and a pulsing geometric path that changes with the beat! All set to a hypnotic electronic soundtrack. There’s only one thing to do: turn up the volume and go with the flow.
Detective Di: The Silk Rose Murders
A thrilling point-and-click adventure game where you play as Di Renjie, ancient China's most famous and gifted investigator, as he tracks a serial killer in the heart of the Tang Dynasty's capital city.
Curious Cases
For Desktop or VR! In this 3 chapter story, you play as a modern day legend, Detective Thomas Moore. He has solved more cases than one can count, where others hit dead-ends, he gets to work.
Xenon Racer
It’s the year 2030, the era of flying vehicles. A one-off championship for wheel based vehicles has been organised, with cutting-edge electric cars boosted by Xenon gas. Drift through cities like Tokyo and Dubai as fast as you can and claim eternal glory!
The Cursed Forest
Immerse yourself in the obscure and mysterious autumnal forest, where every wrong step could be your last. As you travel uncover the dark story behind this place, where beauty and danger have become as one.
Slay Together: Fantasy MMORPG
Join thousands of players in Slay Together, an action-packed MMORPG! Engage in thrilling battles, delve into dungeons with friends, and master diverse crafts like forging, woodworking, tailoring, and more!
DISTRAINT 2
You are Price, a man who sold his humanity to get a partnership from a leading company: McDade, Bruton & Moore. DISTRAINT 2 follows on from the events of the first game. It's a sinister tale about restoring hope and finding your purpose.
Underhero
Underhero is an RPG-platformer where the chosen hero has failed, and an underling of the evil king takes his place as the new hero. Use timing-based combat to defeat enemies as you venture across the land, face off against quirky bosses, and save the kingdom from your own evil boss, Mr Stitches!
The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. Manipulate time to solve puzzles and discover the secrets of each island.
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.6 Tsumihoroboshi
Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.
CHUCHEL
CHUCHEL is a comedy adventure game from the creators of Machinarium, Botanicula and Samorost. Join the hairy hero Chuchel and his rival Kekel as they will be facing numerous puzzles and challenges in their quest to retrieve the precious cherry!
We Were Here Too
As your final hour approaches, a large structure looms up in the distance, towering above the relentless storm. Discover the truth behind this dark castle in a communication-based, cooperative puzzle adventure.
Candleman: The Complete Journey
Despite only being able to burn for 10 seconds, a little candle journeys into the darkness, with the purpose of seeking light.
Six Days of Snow
In a small inn located in the snowy Japanese mountains, an unlikely relationship blossoms between a once-popular poet and the daughter of the inn's proprietress.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 19th 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 17,725 reviews of which 13,312 were positive and 4,413 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 314 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.4
13,312
4,413
314
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 1,982 reviews of which 1,900 were positive and 82 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
1,900
82
30
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 1,681 reviews of which 1,514 were positive and 167 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
1,514
167
10
players
4. 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 #4 spot among the most played linear games.
8.5
302
27
5
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
1,027
33
2
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 1,348 reviews of which 1,337 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
1,337
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
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
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 1,850 reviews of which 1,707 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
1,707
143
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 19th 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 1,681 reviews of which 1,514 were positive and 167 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
1,514
167
-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 19th 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 1,348 reviews of which 1,337 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
1,337
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
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