I think what people mean when the say that about a game, is that it lacks 'depth'. It also depends alot on genre.
People expect certain things from games. I expect RPG's to have a certain depth and non linearity to them. I expect side quests and an over world map so I can explore the world that has been set out in front of me. I expect small puzzles on the way to the next boss and small detours to get hidden weapons and monsters. This is why I consider Final Fantasy 13 to be a bad 'linear' game. and Tales of Vesperia to be an excellent 'in depth' one.
I prefer Fallout's style of FPS to Half Life (even though I love both games) anyday because to me exploration and discovery is my gaming preference. I think at the end of the day it's all down to personal opinion and what you like to get out of a game. Even a game like Mario Galaxy lets you discover hidden things and go off the beaten path.
To me a game shouldn't be a corridor with a movie at the end of each part.
People expect certain things from games. I expect RPG's to have a certain depth and non linearity to them. I expect side quests and an over world map so I can explore the world that has been set out in front of me. I expect small puzzles on the way to the next boss and small detours to get hidden weapons and monsters. This is why I consider Final Fantasy 13 to be a bad 'linear' game. and Tales of Vesperia to be an excellent 'in depth' one.
I prefer Fallout's style of FPS to Half Life (even though I love both games) anyday because to me exploration and discovery is my gaming preference. I think at the end of the day it's all down to personal opinion and what you like to get out of a game. Even a game like Mario Galaxy lets you discover hidden things and go off the beaten path.
To me a game shouldn't be a corridor with a movie at the end of each part.