>>46390142gen3 isn't like that. Hoenn is an incredible linear region, where you can move towards one route but you have shortcuts for moving backwards. And the only optional place you can go before advancing with the main story is the one where the regis are.
Gen4 has one moment where you can decide which gymn leader you want to beat.
Gen5 is linear with the routes
Gen6-8 is also incredible linear.
Gen2 has postgame as optional place and after beating whitney you can kinda move freely
The biggest contender about linearity is gen7. Not because it's handholding, not because it has some textboxes, no it's because you can't go anywhere else except for the place they want you to go. There are few occasions you can't even go back where you came from. You can't go to a different location in the city because
>fades black>teleported 2 steps beforeThat is what bugged me to hell. Like okay, you want me to go to the hotel first, but let me check the city out and then I go.
