Is there anyone left who prefers linear, single-player experiences?

These days, the industry seems to be moving more and more towards online games and sandboxes. But personally, I'll always prefer games that provide a carefully crafted, cinematic experience from start to finish (games like MGS, Uncharted, the new Batman game, etc.). Anyone else feel this way?

Man, I can always play a new MGS so I definitely with you on that.

Online games are fun, but every now and then a nice single player game is nice to play. I'm looking forward to FFXIII when that comes out.

This is one of the main reasons why I enjoy JRPGs more so than WRPGs. So many WRPGs have a vast, open world for you to explore, and it's easy for you to get off track, and eventually FORGET the what the story is all about. Which is why I praise games such Final Fantasy, The Chrono series (well, the two Chrono games xD) Dragon Quest, Breath Of Fire etc.

EDIT: Oh man, how could I forget ZELDA? xD

Hearhear. Final Fantasy, MGS, Star Ocean etc. rank the highest in my book. Though online and sandbox-mechanics can be cool, I will always prefer the linear, epic, story-focused approach.

I like to have my cake and eat it too. I really enjoy MMO's and sandbox gameplay, but I'd be disapointed to see the linear SP experience drop off the radar.

I'll take a really well thought out linear SP game over a drab uninspired clone of the countless "sandbox" Sp games coming out these days (Far Cry 2). :)Engine16

Linear is debatable, but I always prefer single players to multiplayer.

And generally, yeah, i prefer more linear games that comletely sandbox games.

[QUOTE="Engine16"]I'll take a really well thought out linear SP game over a drab uninspired clone of the countless "sandbox" Sp games coming out these days (Far Cry 2). :)Legolas_Katarn

I much prefer linear single player games. What I've found out about myself as a gamer is, if I'm in a sandbox game, I get distracted and never complete it. Hence the reason I'm not a massive fan of the GTA series (except GTA: Chinatown Wars, thats more fun).

I prefer them too, because I'm older and well this is how most games were when I grew up.

sandbox are fun to play in, but it frustrates me when people say oh this game sucks it's linear, like every game from now on has to be sandbox :(

I don't care for multiplayer much either, it's a nice addition to good single player game but I hate when they give you a half assed single campaign and concentrate on the multiplayer *cough mw*

Actually, just to add my last two cents, I actually have been longing to play through a new single-player game. Mainly because I have done nothing but play Gears Of War and Soul Calibur lately. What I really want to do, is to get Batman AA and play through Fable 2, at least before school becomes a part of my life again. T_T

Linear is debatable, but I always prefer single players to multiplayer.

And generally, yeah, i prefer more linear games that comletely sandbox games.

BuryMe

Agreed. I'm not a big online gamer, and I dislike when games get too open and sandboxish (?) :P

Man, I can always play a new MGS so I definitely with you on that.

Online games are fun, but every now and then a nice single player game is nice to play. I'm looking forward to FFXIII when that comes out.

A_Mobile_Doll

I like single player quite a bit more then multiplayer, as for linearity, the fact that MGS and Final Fantasy are my favourites pretty much sums up my opinion.

I like sandbox games as well, but not as much (unless they are done right, such as in GTA)

If all games would be sandbox games from now on I'd go crazy, I need to play something linear every now and then :P

liniar games can be some of the best, because it is easier to make a good story when you know where the player is. Also they use less of thier time making a big world, that you will rarely see (not all of it).

I do like open world free roaming games, but for a good story I stick to the liniar ones ;)

I, too, prefer a more linear experience in a game to a sandbox-type experience in a game, not that I hate the sandbox experience; I quite enjoyed playing Fallout 3.

I also like singleplayer more than multiplayer. Multiplayer is a blast with friends, but singleplayer is where the epic adventure and storyline typically is.

These days, the industry seems to be moving more and more towards online games and sandboxes. But personally, I'll always prefer games that provide a carefully crafted, cinematic experience from start to finish (games like MGS, Uncharted, the new Batman game, etc.). Anyone else feel this way?

nero_rules

These days, the industry seems to be moving more and more towards online games and sandboxes. But personally, I'll always prefer games that provide a carefully crafted, cinematic experience from start to finish (games like MGS, Uncharted, the new Batman game, etc.). Anyone else feel this way?

nero_rules

Linear single-player games are cookie-cutter in design, meaning the NPCs always pop-up in the same location, loot containers never vary so you know which ones to ignore, etc. Really lowers your immersion level when you know what's going to happen all of the time.

I, too, prefer a more linear experience in a game to a sandbox-type experience in a game, not that I hate the sandbox experience; I quite enjoyed playing Fallout 3.

I also like singleplayer more than multiplayer. Multiplayer is a blast with friends, but singleplayer is where the epic adventure and storyline typically is.

DJ-Lafleur

I prefer single player more as opposed to multiplayer. I don't really care if it's linear or not but I at least prefer it not to be completely linear.

I like single player games better.

playing super mario games for years zelda games for yrs single player gtas driver saints row etc i can do both ,, its just a matter if the game it self is good , no i m not talkin about graphics you can throw shiny graphics on alien syndrmn and that game would still lack ,

These days, the industry seems to be moving more and more towards online games and sandboxes. But personally, I'll always prefer games that provide a carefully crafted, cinematic experience from start to finish (games like MGS, Uncharted, the new Batman game, etc.). Anyone else feel this way?

nero_rules

I have some games to play online but i never do. Im more of a person who plays games to get away from everyone else and just have some me time so im not a big online gaming fan

Story is driven much better in linear games and non-linear gamers are only deferred from ever finishing.jjtiebuckle

I have to agree with this, I tend to usually become a lot more involved in linear single player games (for example, Dead Space, Fear) than I do with sandbox style (for example, GTA, Far Cry 2). The greatest exception to this is Fallout 3 which is easily one of my favourite games of all time. Its not that I don't like the sandbox style - far from it - but I normally spend less time on that type of game than I would on a more simple 'point A to point B' game where there is no real deviation. I'll continue to buy both types of game so long as they keep making them.

Games like uncharted and portal are the games I enjoy most. Although I like online like CoD4. I prefer if there is a great single-player to go with it.

I prefer singleplayer to multiplayer.

As far as linear vs open its a mixture of the two. I like certain parts of the game to be linear but i also want to be afforded the chance to branch off and go do sidequests or hunt for Ultimate Weapons or other powerful items and such before i head back to the story.

This is mainly why i love JRPGs over more western offerings. Not because being herded towards the ending is more fun than getting there on your own, it just affords the developers the chance to deliver a more concise and enveloping experience since there are fewer variables.

i like single player games.

I prefer a combination of linear and open world games like JRPGs. JRPGs are linear but in some point you can free-roam the world/map.

I don't care about online multiplayer that much especially competitive multiplayer. I do like co-ops like in LBP and Demon's Souls. But overall, single player mode >>>>>>> online multiplayer.

Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, God of War. Some of my favourite games. Their all fairly linear, single player.You only need linear levels and story for fighting games.

Ninja Gaiden = Something like 3 million

Devil May Cry = 10 million

God of War = Something like 3-5 million

So, yes. People very much like linear single player games, if there good.

Oh yes im with you on that, its not everyday you see them like we use to. Lately we have been getting a lot of sandbox like games that arent so good. They arent all bad granted but I havent really felt that same storytelling style like a linear game experience.

I love to play linear games. Single or Multi player. The last great single player for me was FFX, loved that one. I think games like Gears of War can count as a single player, linear game. It also happens to be one that I like. I have played it online but prefer the single player experience because of it's story.

There'snothing inherently wrong with linearity; sometimes that is all the game requires.