I'm a 69% full clear on FFXIII so far, game is incredible. The end game is challenging enough to warrant a play through of somewhat "linearity". Every FFXIII was linear to some point, as far as "this is what you have to do, this is where you have to do it." Yes, you could explore the world map and get raped by the stronger enemies where you weren't supposed to be... But you had to do what you had to do to move the story along, regardless. This game was/is gold, in my book.