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
The Two of Us
The Two of Us is a 2D Co-op Platformer that has a strong emphasis on working together. You will be greeted with various puzzle levels where you must work in conjunction with your friend to navigate the level.
Amelie
A psychological mystery yuri visual novel about a girl named Amelie. Forbidden from leaving the house, Amelie awaits the arrival of her long time penpal, Sofia, to her dear friend Lilika’s dismay. What secrets will Sofia unravel that were best kept buried?
Cleo - a pirate's tale
Cleo is a solo-developed, top-down, pixel-art, retro, pirate adventure with a lot of nostalgic flair, humor and a linear story, inspired by the old Zelda games and the classic LucasArts adventure games.
The Savior From Above
A sidescrolling 3D adventure shortgame that combines multiple genres and features various action and puzzle sequences. Its artistic approach is supported by powerful visuals, intense atmosphere and a unique game narrative on the boundaries of science-fiction and fantasy.
Pumpkin Eater
Pumpkin Eater is a visual novel about grief, pumpkin heads, and human decomposition. 100% medically accurate.
Slice of Sea
Slice of Sea is a peaceful adventure and puzzle game. You play as Seaweed, a sea creature clearly out of their element. Explore desolate world of dust, all hand-drawn on paper in unique art style. Collect items, solve puzzles and lead Seaweed back home to the sea.
The Legend of Tianding
The Legend of Tianding is a sidescrolling action game about Liao Tianding, the legendary Taiwanese Folk Hero. Explore the dazzling streets of Colonial Japanese Taiwan in the early 20th century.
Banzai Escape 2: Subterranean
Banzai Escape 2 Subterranean is a Singleplayer or Co-op Cute Anime Third-person Action Modern Warfare Shooter and a sequel based the events of Banzai Escape 2. You as a player, controlling a cute clone sister fighting to clearing up path inside the underground network dungeon.
Happy Game
A little boy falls asleep to a horrible nightmare. Can you make him happy again?
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!
Lumione
Lumione is a platformer game set in a deep-sea universe. Join the protagonist Glimmer on a journey in search of the Light as you put your wit to the test in solving challenging puzzle-like levels. Learn from your failures and restore the Light of Hope to the seabed.
Bubble People
Bubble People is a point-and-click game, click on things with your mouse and have some fun!
Jerma & Otto: The Curse of the Late Streamer
Jerma985 is late for his stream, again, and it's up to you to help him get ready!
Bear's Restaurant
The award-winning indie adventure game finally arrives on Steam—now with more content than ever before! A story of love, loss, and fine dining that’s sure to warm even the most jaded of hearts.
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a Metroidvania action game featuring exploration, intense combat and challenging platforming.
Rebirth:Beware of Mr.Wang
This is a plot-oriented interactive puzzle game. The gameplay uses mouse clicks or drag-and-drop methods to promote the development of the plot. The game tells the story of an ordinary young man who pursues love, grows up in the process of hard work, and finally reaps friendship and love.
Wife Quest
A retro platform, side-scrolling game with gorgeous pixel art. Help Mia rescue Fernando, her husband, who has been kidnapped by a Dark Elf named Morganna and her pack of Monster Girls.
Impostor Factory
A bonkers time-loop tragicomedy murder mystery thriller featuring multiple casualties and a suspicious cat, from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise.
恋爱关系/Romance
It is a love oriented short visual novel, which contains a wealth of interesting games and a large number of exquisite CG pictures. The man lives in the same apartment with his friends, works in the same company, and leads a monotonous life. The appearance of interns has changed the repetitive life.
Listen to the Wind
"Listen to the Wind" is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash game with counter attacks as the game's core mechanic. It takes pace during the Ming dynasty Jiajing era where you'll be battling Japanese pirates. It features unique martial art heroes and a story branching gameplay.
If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers
If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers is a narrative-driven point-and-click adventure with horror elements that explores the stories of four characters in a masked ball taking place aboard a train in the late 1920s.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 30th 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 17,757 reviews of which 13,339 were positive and 4,418 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 224 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.4
13,339
4,418
224
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 2,066 reviews of which 1,981 were positive and 85 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
1,981
85
16
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 1,694 reviews of which 1,526 were positive and 168 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
1,526
168
5
players
4. 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 698 reviews of which 682 were positive and 16 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
682
16
2
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 1,061 reviews of which 1,027 were positive and 34 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
34
2
players
6. 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 730 reviews of which 710 were positive and 20 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
710
20
1
players
7. 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 1,355 reviews of which 1,344 were positive and 11 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played linear games.
9.4
1,344
11
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 1,850 reviews of which 1,706 were positive and 144 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
1,706
144
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played linear games.
8.7
320
18
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played linear games.
8.5
312
26
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 30th 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 1,694 reviews of which 1,526 were positive and 168 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
1,526
168
-81%
24.53€
4.66€
2. 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 17,757 reviews of which 13,339 were positive and 4,418 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 60% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in linear games.
7.4
13,339
4,418
-60%
12.99€
5.19€
3. 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 698 reviews of which 682 were positive and 16 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its 31% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in linear games.
9.1
682
16
-31%
1.99€
1.37€
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 334 reviews of which 304 were positive and 30 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a 30% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for linear games.
8.4
304
30
-30%
16.87€
11.81€
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 30th 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 730 reviews of which 710 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
710
20
1
players
2. 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 1,355 reviews of which 1,344 were positive and 11 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.4
1,344
11
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 335 reviews of which 282 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
282
53