While I really don't mind linearity as long as the storyline is good, doing this will (and already has) turn off alot of long time FF fans. They took a HUGE risk by doing this. Which I don't mind at all. I like a game developer that is willing to take risk in order the better the overall experience of a game. But the execution of that "risk" will be the deciding factor in whatever it was worth taking it. We will see coming March 9th.