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
Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains
This Game is one of the most popular RPGs in the Chinese Speaking Area and has won many awards around Asia. The game story takes place in an era of collision between East and West, covering a wide range, spanning Eurasia, the Arab World, Francia, and China.
Abandoned Souls
Abandoned Souls is a horror game, shown through a GoPro lens. You play as a vlogger who specializes in urban exploration.
TRY AGAIN
You're Benny, a test character trapped in an unfinished game by a figure called The Designer. She's up against a deadline for her publisher which means it's your last day as a test character. Navigate the facility, dodge game-dev chaos and defy expectations to become the main character.
That Which Gave Chase
A first-person dog sledding thriller. Play as a sled dog musher hired to transport a scientist deep into the unforgiving wastes of the arctic.
Fall of Porcupine
A pidgeon-doctor in a small town. A broken healthcare system. A heartfelt narrative game. Fall of Porcupine tells an emotional story about a young doctor who struggles to find his place. Accompany Finley in a lovingly illustrated world and uncover the darkest secrets of Porcupine.
Metro Simulator 2
Metro Simulator 2 is a unique game featuring recreated Moscow Metro and realistic train controls.
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.
Zortch
Meet Zortch Maxinum: short order cook, amateur engineer and professional slacker; Bored and tired of her day job she decides to go on a holiday but alas she picks a cheap option: turns out it's a scheme by aliens who capture humans to eat their brains! also this game is a sci-fi horror comedy fps
Bleak Sword DX
Discover and destroy increasingly horrifying creatures across an oppressive lofi world, wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic in this pocket-sized action adventure.
Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer
So.... got what it takes to be a X Slayer?!?... 7 weapons, blood and gore, twisted music by Seepage & Psyko Syndikate, and maps where you can blow up everything. its awesome. started making it in 1998 in high school with my friend and now im 37, so i have life experience now.
The Baby In Yellow
You've got a new babysitting job, and things are taking a turn for the weird. Feed him, read him a bedtime story, and try not to fall into his dreams. How long can you stay in control?
CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™
Traverse the sprawling city of Zaun as Ekko, a young inventor with a device to manipulate time, in this story-driven action platformer. Collect parts, craft gadgets, and unlock abilities—then rewind time to adapt your approach to every new challenge.
Quest for the Golden Candelabra
Lead a group of childhood friends in a series of difficult encounters played under the rules of PF2E, the second edition of a powerful tabletop OGL ruleset.
HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE
HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is an award winning, hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.
Showgunners
As a contestant on a high stakes reality game show of the future, you must survive a dangerous urban environment packed with traps, confounding puzzles, and heavily armed psychopaths. Turn-based combat in hand crafted levels, built for entertainment.
Bramble: The Mountain King
Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.
Kao the Kangaroo (2000 re-release)
Kao the Kangaroo is a 3D adventure game, first released in 2000. More than 30 levels, numerous funny characters, adjustable difficulty, and demanding gameplay attracted not only young players, but also offered pleasant entertainment for more advanced players.
Wretched Depths
Play as Sam and fish to your hearts content, sell fish you've caught, collect better gear, and use it to explore the depths of the mysterious lake, but be warned as no one knows what lies at the bottom. Wretched Depths is a PSX-style horror fishing game created by students at the University of Utah.
Cave Crawler
Cave Crawler is a short horror game where you pilot a drone into a cave and discover something horrible.
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 1,851 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
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