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???
Honestly I wish people wpuld come back around to linearity. Most open world games have either shitty gameplay or only play well if you can sus out the secretly intended route to explore a world.