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
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.
SORE
Mystical puzzle quest game in a gloomy minimalism style will tell you a story of a person who's got himself into a camera, and from which there is no way out it seems. Experimental gameplay diluted with a pinch of a philosophy, that's what SORE is.
GravNewton
Challenge all your skill and quick thinking ability in this precision platform game, where you are a bitrom who controller over gravity called Newton, who is trying to escape from a deformed creature that relentlessly follows him in subspace.
Lawnmower Game
Drive and cut grass first time in simulator game, with amazing lanwmower in big open world
Detective Butler: Maiden Voyage Murder
Follow Detective Butler and his sidekick Gilligan as they solve a locked-room murder during a haunted cruise ship's maiden voyage. Can you solve the mystery before Detective Butler reveals the answer?
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch. 5 Meakashi
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.
Scanner Sombre
Scanner Sombre is a 3d horror cave exploration game where darkness is your greatest foe. Illuminate the unseen with your LIDAR scanner, revealing the eerie beauty and peril of the abyss. From the creators of Prison Architect, this immersive adventure uses light and shadow for a haunting experience.
Has-Been Heroes
Has-Been Heroes is a challenging, lane-based roguelike game of strategy and action, featuring a band of heroes on a quest to escort the King's twin princesses to school!
Hotel Anatolia
What would you do if the hotel you checked in for the night turned into a death trap? Hotel Anatolia is a short, terrifying horror game which is about a man trying to run away from his past.
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.
Sweetest Monster
A middle-aged man has an encounter with a cute catgirl in the dead of night - but all is not as it seems.
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 June 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 female protagonist game developed and published by Square Enix. Released on October 09th 2014 has received 17,930 reviews of which 13,454 were positive and 4,476 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 357 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.4
13,454
4,476
357
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 2,592 reviews of which 2,470 were positive and 122 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
2,470
122
23
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 soundtrack game developed by Metronomik and published by Fireshine Games. Released on October 21st 2021 has received 1,730 reviews of which 1,559 were positive and 171 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
1,559
171
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 353 reviews of which 322 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played linear games.
8.4
322
31
3
players
5. 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 1,852 reviews of which 1,709 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played linear games.
8.8
1,709
143
1
players
6. 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 352 reviews of which 325 were positive and 27 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played linear games.
8.5
325
27
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 1,382 reviews of which 1,371 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
1,371
11
8. 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 1,072 reviews of which 1,039 were positive and 33 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
1,039
33
9. 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 703 reviews of which 686 were positive and 17 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
686
17
10. 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 736 reviews of which 716 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played linear games.
9.1
716
20
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 June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted linear games.
1. 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 1,852 reviews of which 1,709 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for linear category.
8.8
1,709
143
-95%
9.99€
0.50€
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 353 reviews of which 322 were positive and 31 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in linear games.
8.4
322
31
-94%
16.99€
1.12€
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 soundtrack game developed by Metronomik and published by Fireshine Games. Released on October 21st 2021 has received 1,730 reviews of which 1,559 were positive and 171 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 76% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in linear games.
8.6
1,559
171
-76%
24.99€
6.13€
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 1,072 reviews of which 1,039 were positive and 33 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 62% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for linear games.
9.1
1,039
33
-62%
14.79€
5.71€
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 June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play linear games.
1. 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 352 reviews of which 325 were positive and 27 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
8.5
325
27
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 1,382 reviews of which 1,371 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
1,371
11
3. 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 736 reviews of which 716 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free linear games on Steam.
9.1
716
20
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 342 reviews of which 324 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
324
18
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 337 reviews of which 284 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
284
53