I mostly GM very open, player driven campaigns, but a while back I ran the Dragonlance campaign. I used 4e instead of AD&D and changed some things, but stuck to the major story beats. It was what most people would call a "railroad". I wouldn't say it was entirely free from player choices and consequences, but it was more about choosing what equipment to use and making tactical decisions in combat, rather than choices dictating the course of the campaign. We had fun! Unfortunately, the campaign eventually went on an indefinite hiatus, because the amount of prep work I had to do was just too much.
Now I run a Traveller campaign for the same players. It's a sandbox, entirely different from the Dragonlance campaign. The players travel around the subsector and do whatever they want. I personally prefer this kind of campaign, because what happens in each session is a surprise to me, and it's not as prep-intensive. But my players seem to enjoy both styles. They're having fun in the Traveller campaign, but occasionally reminisce about the Dragonlance campaign and ask if we're going to pick that up again someday, because they want to know "how the story would go".
I don't think there is anything wrong with either style of campaign, as long as everyone involved are enjoying themselves.
I think that is also a matter of preference.
I mostly GM very open, player driven campaigns, but a while back I ran the Dragonlance campaign. I used 4e instead of AD&D and changed some things, but stuck to the major story beats. It was what most people would call a "railroad". I wouldn't say it was entirely free from player choices and consequences, but it was more about choosing what equipment to use and making tactical decisions in combat, rather than choices dictating the course of the campaign. We had fun! Unfortunately, the campaign eventually went on an indefinite hiatus, because the amount of prep work I had to do was just too much.
Now I run a Traveller campaign for the same players. It's a sandbox, entirely different from the Dragonlance campaign. The players travel around the subsector and do whatever they want. I personally prefer this kind of campaign, because what happens in each session is a surprise to me, and it's not as prep-intensive. But my players seem to enjoy both styles. They're having fun in the Traveller campaign, but occasionally reminisce about the Dragonlance campaign and ask if we're going to pick that up again someday, because they want to know "how the story would go".
I don't think there is anything wrong with either style of campaign, as long as everyone involved are enjoying themselves.