Seem, I always defended the game just based on "linear isnt bad", not really thinking about the reasons why its linear.
Ive also always been confused why FFX is well liked despite... also being very linear up until it opens up at the end? But XIII got memed for hallways???
I intend to play it someday, but only for Lionel Richie. But it may be a tall ask, as I found the couple of hours I put into the current Final Fantasy MMO to be absolute torture.