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???
This works the other way too though. They were unwilling or unable to make an open world game with the time/team/tech they had access to, so the narrative was changed to justify not exploring. Not that I blame them either way, XIII is unappealing to me on an aesthetic and character design basis, the level design doesn't even factor into it since FFX seemed linear to me as well. Something about the setting and character designs is icky to me, like I'm looking at 3D models of characters from a Sword Art Online isekai anime
I actually kind of understand that aesthetic complain. I love the main cast (especially my ship Fang and Vanille) but I can see how the visuals could rub someone the wrong way.
That's a ship? I thought it was canon that they definitely were in Lesbians with eachother since the ancient times.
Its one of those all-but-canon situations where its never spelled out for you but a LOOOOOOT of people picked up on it.