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
Portal 2 - The Final Hours
Portal 2 draws from the award-winning formula of innovative gameplay, story, and music that earned the original Portal over 70 industry accolades and created a cult following. For more information on Portal 2 click here.
BIT.TRIP RUNNER
Experience the rhythmic thrill of BIT.TRIP RUNNER! With its retro charm, simple controls, and award-winning visuals, this classic sets the standard for rhythm gaming. Don't miss the game that started it all in the acclaimed runner series.
Call of Duty®: Black Ops
The biggest first-person action series of all time and the follow-up to critically acclaimed Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2 returns with Call of Duty®: Black Ops.
Medal of Honor™
Fight Today's War: Elite Special Forces in a gritty combat campaign using the surgical tactics of Tier 1 Operators combined with the sledgehammer force of Army Rangers.
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 (2009)
The most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse.
Machinarium
Machinarium is the award-winning independent adventure game developed by the makers of Samorost series, Botanicula and CHUCHEL. Help Josef the robot save his girlfriend Berta kidnapped by the Black Cap Brotherhood gang!
Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare® (2007)
The new action-thriller from the award-winning team at Infinity Ward, the creators of the Call of Duty® series, delivers the most intense and cinematic action experience ever. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare arms gamers with an arsenal of advanced and powerful modern day firepower and transports them to the most treacherous hotspots...
Call of Duty® (2003)
Call of Duty® delivers the gritty realism and cinematic intensity of World War II's epic battlefield moments like never before.
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 16th 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 273 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.4
13,291
4,410
273
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
39
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
17
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
3
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. 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 #6 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
681
16
1
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
711
20
1
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played linear games.
8.8
1,708
143
1
players
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played linear games.
7.8
281
53
1
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played linear games.
9.4
1,337
11
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 16th 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 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play linear games.
1. 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 #1 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.1
711
20
1
players
2. 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 #2 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
7.8
281
53
1
players
3. 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 #3 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.4
1,337
11
4. 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 #4 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
8.7
320
18
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
8.5
312
26