Linear games have their place... After all, pretty much every FPS ever created is completely linear, as are most action games.
My biggest beef in the linearity vs. sandbox argument comes with the term "JRPG" when there are virtually no "RPG" elements in those games. I enjoy JRPGs, but they're not role-playing games and most are completely linear. You play whatever the designer intended you to play and no choice is given to the player.
On the other hand, you have Bethesda games which are the exact opposite. Those games are the true descendants of the pen and paper RPGs, for they provide virtually no story and complete freedom.
Personally, my favorite games fall somewhere in the middle, which explains why BioWare is probably my favorite developer right now.
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