Reader Discussion: With So Many Games Going Open World, Should Linear Levels Be Left Behind?

Advancements in technology have given developers the power to make bigger and more detailed worlds. Sandbox-style design is no longer the exception, but the rule. But should it be the way every game goes?

Last year saw a strong blend, with open-world Grand Theft Auto V burning up sales charts and the linear The Last of Us sweeping through the awards scene. This year will see a broadened Dragon Age experience in Inquisition, a vast persistent experience in Destiny, and even a more open Sniper Elite. Is there still room for both styles of design, or are linear levels becoming passé?

Is it easier for you to return to sandbox games, or do you like jumping back into worlds that have a more directed path? Let us know in the comments.