Originally Posted by
TaleraRistain
The issue is being linear in different ways. X is also a fairly linear path to the finale. The difference with both IV and X is that you have freedom of exploration. You can go back (minus one or two memorable places) to where you were before or you can wander off the beaten path in many places. Exploration is a core component of Final Fantasy games and they both had that even with the linear story path.
XIII was just like hallways. There were almost no little nubs or alternate paths to explore. And you're being rushed through these areas that are so paper thin on details they feel like they're just backgrounds. Even with the story of fugitives on the run, they had plenty of room to do something like explore the dark underbelly of the areas and introduce you to interesting people and secrets. That's what made the linear path to the story worse. They didn't make the places you fled through feel real and alive. And you had firm walls where you couldn't go back.