The dumbest statement I have read in years.
FF 7,8,9, and 10 were all linear, ALL.
In FF8, the whole first disc you were in a tiny island and the galbadian continent with access to only 3 towns (2 mandatory, 1 optional). You didn't even have full access to the continent since moutains cut of the other parts. In Disc 2 you finally get to move around the ocean but mountains again prevent you from going to more rewarding quest areas. Finally in disc 3 is when you get full access, but you all know thats really the end of the game because in disc 4 everything gets blocked off.
FF9 was even more linear everything was 1 way for the first 2 disc. Disc 1, small slices of the mist continent as the story progressed. Disc 2, the outer continent, smaller than the mist continent. Disc 3 access to everywhere you have been before, near end of disc 3 you finally get full access to the whole game with airship.
FF10, the true king of linearity, this game is more linear than FFXIII. I imported the game.
FF12 is the only open world FF that was not linear at all, you could go almost everywhere before the half point of the story.
It's so ridiculous that everyone and their mother has jumped on the linear bandwagon, FF fans need to clarify this to those who keep say it like it's something new.
Essay Pro