I've made my decision.
Another World
(Out Of This World in the US)
Originally released in 1991
There's so many different versions of the game it's not worth listing them all. Some had an extra section added to lengthen it (it's extremely short), a few had music added & of course the expected graphical changes.
It's as linear as they come, but it just works so well. It was made deliberately to have an open ending, but the publishers decided to make a sequel (Heart Of The Alien) without the original designer - and although that wasn't a terrible game it spoiled the ending of the original. On the upside it had the original on the same disk.
Once you've finished the game there's no real reason to play it again, but going from start to finish without being killed is incredibly satisfying. Personally I love playing it, it's an experience.
RAAAARRRR!
Sup!
As a side note Another World was the inspiration for many other great games like Ico.