I don't necessarily mind linear, but of more in a modern sense. It's used to describe anything that's not the bland open world where there's 100 hours of the dullest possible filler content. I've been playing a lot more old games lately, and some of the simplest things have nothing to do with whether the combat is easy or hard, etc. Like getting rid of the objectives on screen. I want to be told "go speak to the mage who lives in the forest to the south" just to get there and find out I can't get through the gate and have to go backtrack and find out where to get the key, which if I'd just talked to the guy in the inn beforehand I would have known to go get it first anyway, etc. Everything is so spelled out and navigated for you now.

Speaking of CRPGs, that reminds me I've been meaning to go back and try Ultima series. No idea how I never played those as a kid with some of the other stuff I did play.