Well I can't speak for Bolivar but it hid its linearity for me by making me forget that it was linear because I was having too much fun with the battles and sphere grid and stuff. Even when I do remember that it's linear, I don't play FF for a non-linear experience anyway. I just want to be shuttled around between having fun with battles and job classes and if it's a straight line being that shuttle then it's fine by me.

Holy hell this thread is making me want to play FFX. I'll add it to the pipeline after my current Morrowind playthrough.

EDIT: Mindhive with Hux *high five*