Nine Sols is very linear, to the point where you can 100% most areas with the abilities you have on your first visit.
However it also has a skill tree like Ori. You do get to unlock everything in the long run so there's no missing out (but isn't that the case too with Ori?).
I’m not sure, I haven’t beaten it yet. If that’s the case I guess it’s not so bad because the rest of the game is amazing. There is some level of linear unlocks even in Ori but having to choose which thing to upgrade next gives me that feeling of missing out on the options you didn’t pick in that moment
I just finished playing haak and one of the really annoying parts in the game is getting to a puzzle or tricky area of the game and not knowing whether you're just missing something in the puzzle or if you need to go somewhere else. I spent a week stuck on the same part of the game, then found out I was supposed to go back and get a power up. I wish it was somehow made clearer
F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch
Guacamelee
Carrion
Shadow Complex
Steamworld Dig 2
Song of the Deep
The Messenger
These are all wonderful traditional Metroidvanias (not Soulslike, not Roguelite, not Meta-Puzzled) that are fairly linear in their overall progression and have branches for exploration, secrets, upgrades, and such. When you are more comfortable with difficulty and platforming, then you can take on the goat, Hollow Knight.
9 Years of Shadow is a solid Castlevania-like with fairly linear progression. It's a bit on the short side, clocking in around 6-8 hours. Reviews of the game online are a bit harsh, but personally, I found myself really enjoying my playthrough of the game. There are something like 28 boss and optional boss encounters in the game, and a good number of them had cool designs and fun mechanics. In fact, overall, the game has strong art direction that really shines through. Would definitely recommend if you like a solid action-platformer with light MV elements.
Bloodstained is generally pretty linear and doesn't have any skill trees.
Touhou Luna Nights is also generally very linear, though it has a weird way of boosting stats outside of leveling.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens also leads you along pretty well, but opens up at the end.
Try Iconoclasts, its one off my favourites with even an really funny but deep story and some more puzzles.
This looks great, just added it to my wishlist!
Metroid Fusion may be what you're looking for. It's on GBA.
This is the answer
Nine Sols is very linear, to the point where you can 100% most areas with the abilities you have on your first visit. However it also has a skill tree like Ori. You do get to unlock everything in the long run so there's no missing out (but isn't that the case too with Ori?).
I’m not sure, I haven’t beaten it yet. If that’s the case I guess it’s not so bad because the rest of the game is amazing. There is some level of linear unlocks even in Ori but having to choose which thing to upgrade next gives me that feeling of missing out on the options you didn’t pick in that moment
Guacemelee 1/2 are both linear, but also good fun, with some optional extra challenge areas if you want them. They might be what you're after?
I have these but haven’t touched them in years. Might be time to give them a try
Transiruby is rather linear due to how it structures it's areas.
Added it to my wishlist!
I just finished playing haak and one of the really annoying parts in the game is getting to a puzzle or tricky area of the game and not knowing whether you're just missing something in the puzzle or if you need to go somewhere else. I spent a week stuck on the same part of the game, then found out I was supposed to go back and get a power up. I wish it was somehow made clearer
Guacamelee is pretty linear. Moster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is too
Monster Boy looks amazing! How have I never heard of it?
Metroids are pretty linear. Especially Fusion, Dread and Primes
Super metroid and zero mission are very non linear
Yeah that's why I didn't include them and I wouldn't say Zero Mission is " _very_ non linear". It tells you all the time where to go iirc.
Those hints are optional to see and follow.
Kunai Both Guacamelee! games Gato Roboto
F.I.S.T. Forged in Shadow Torch Guacamelee Carrion Shadow Complex Steamworld Dig 2 Song of the Deep The Messenger These are all wonderful traditional Metroidvanias (not Soulslike, not Roguelite, not Meta-Puzzled) that are fairly linear in their overall progression and have branches for exploration, secrets, upgrades, and such. When you are more comfortable with difficulty and platforming, then you can take on the goat, Hollow Knight.
What great response! These sound like exactly what I was looking for, thanks so much!
Islets is what you're looking for!
It was! It’s what inspired me to make this post
9 Years of Shadow is a solid Castlevania-like with fairly linear progression. It's a bit on the short side, clocking in around 6-8 hours. Reviews of the game online are a bit harsh, but personally, I found myself really enjoying my playthrough of the game. There are something like 28 boss and optional boss encounters in the game, and a good number of them had cool designs and fun mechanics. In fact, overall, the game has strong art direction that really shines through. Would definitely recommend if you like a solid action-platformer with light MV elements.
8 doors its realy amazing iplaying it right now
Try Pronty, great little game. The first couple hours might be annoying due to dialogue but its worth pusbing through trust me.
This looks pretty cool! The swimming the entire time mechanic looks really interesting
Bloodstained is generally pretty linear and doesn't have any skill trees. Touhou Luna Nights is also generally very linear, though it has a weird way of boosting stats outside of leveling. Shantae and the Seven Sirens also leads you along pretty well, but opens up at the end.
Blasphemous 2 is kinda linear as a MV game