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Most [[Role-Playing Game|RPGs]] are free-roaming affairs: Between the scripted cutscenes and predetermined plot points that take place at designated locations, you are free to [[Take Your Time]], get [[Sidetracked by the Gold Saucer]], and generally go [[Dungeon Crawling]] [[Metroidvania|anywhere your current abilities allow]] (assuming it isn't blocked off by a [[Broken Bridge]]).
At least, until you enter a '''Plot Tunnel''': A tightly linear, [[Plot]]-driven sequence within an RPG where your usual ability to freely explore areas and perform [[Sidequest|Side Quests]] is denied you in favor of whatever plot-dictated events shall unfold. There are [[No Sidepaths, No Exploration, No Freedom]] within a
Can be considered a gentle form of [[Railroading]], in that the player has no choice except to [[Follow the Plotted Line]]. When a
''Note that since dungeons come in all shapes, sizes, and lengths, a general guideline for identifying a
{{examples}}
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* In ''[[Breath of Fire IV]]'', near the end of the first chapter you set foot on the Evil Empire's homeland for the first time to search for your missing princess. Although you do have access to the [[World Map]], you have no [[Warp Whistle]] at this point, and the only location you may travel is a nearby town and [[Down the Drain|waterway]], which you use to sneak in to the Imperial base in search of the princess. This ends with the party being discovered, captured and deported as the game begins Chapter Two.
* Early on in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', Vahn sneaks into the Dalmascan palace through the [[Absurdly Spacious Sewer|Garamsythe Waterway]]. This leads to a series of events in which he meets up with sky pirate Balthier, the party is captured and imprisoned in Nalbina Fortress, escapes through the [[Blackout Basement|Barheim Passage]] and must head back to Rabanastre (the [[Hub Level]]) from the eastern desert.
* ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]'' is rather infamous for putting the player through a
* There are a few sequences in the ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]'' series where you must progress through multiple dungeons without access to the usual shops, the [[Hub Level]], your mission list, or being allowed to recruit new team members.
** In the first installment (''Red and Blue Rescue Team''), at one point your party is [[Misblamed]] for the disasters plaguing the world and run out of town on a manhunt, leading to a sequence of five [[Dungeon Crawl]]s (including two [[Boss Battle]]s) before the matter is resolved and you are allowed to return home.
** In the second installment (''Explorers of Time and Darkness''), the Guild makes an expedition to Fogbound Lake (a total of four dungeons and one [[Boss Battle]]). Later, an [[Plot Twist|unexpected]] trip to the future [[Wham! Episode|turns the entire plot upside down]] across a sequence of four dungeons; even after returning to the present time, you must progress through an additional dungeon before you are allowed to return to the Guild and resume your usual routines.
* The Horizon and the {{spoiler|Collector}} Ship mission of ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' count, since both will block all exploration and side-quests after recruiting the fourth and the seventh squad member, respectively, until you complete them. In this case, the
* ''[[Suikoden V]]'' contains a variant of this. During certain plot events, some allies cannot be sought and recruited.
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