Games come in many shapes, forms and sizes but I'm pretty sure that we can commonly use "linear" or "open" to describe how we progress through them. I can also assume that after playing a wide variety of titles that we can form a preference on which we like better.
To give some example definitions of what both are:
A linear game is a title in which progression is straightforward and you are limited by the environment in several regards. You need to find "item/switch X" in town Y in order to open the path the the dungeon which upon completion will teleport you to town Z and so forth. You will rarely (if ever) be given free reign to completely explore an area and there will likely be boundaries put up to enclose you in a select setting (invisible walls, impassable knee-high fences and etc).
An open world game is a title where the story (if present) is progressed rather straightforwardly through your actions that have no real restrictions put upon by the environment. You may explore and interact with the extended environment (which is to say a vast majority of the game world) as you like, and may choose to go to the event that furthers the plot when you wish.
There are certain games that blend the open/linear feel and I know there exists plenty of individuals who don't have any strong feelings one way or the other (be they of the Neutral planet, Canada or Switzerland). Thus, I have crafted the poll to satisfy all demographics (even those who would vote potato).
So Escapists, which one do you like better and, if possible, why?
Being the horrid and dastardly OP that I am, I will provide a response later on in a post not used for introducing a poll.