Abandonware DOS title

The most popular open world games

An open-world video game is a genre of video game where the player is given a large, expansive virtual world (or universe) to explore and interact with. In contrast to linear games that follow a predetermined path or level-based progression, open-world games typically offer freedom and non-linearity, allowing players to roam and engage with the game world at their own pace.

Open-world games often feature vast landscapes or cities that can be freely traversed, and they often include a variety of activities, missions, or quests for players to undertake. These games commonly provide a range of gameplay options, such as exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, character development, and interacting with non-player characters (NPCs).

Popular examples of open-world games include The Elder Scrolls series (e.g., Morrowind), the Grand Theft Auto series, Ultima 7, Darklands, and Star Control 2, among many others.

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The Magic Candle 3

DOS19923.9/5 Mindcraft Software
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Might and Magic: Swords of Xeen

DOS19954.2/5 Catware, Inc.
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Whale's Voyage

DOS19934/5 neo Software Produktions
Whale's Voyage is an abandoned science fiction first-person view party-based RPG, developed by neo Software Produktions and released by Pro One Software in 1993. Whale's Voyage is currently abandonware and it was published for PC (DOS) and Amiga.
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Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale

DOS19934/5 Mindcraft Software
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Pirates! Gold

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protectedremakedemo4/5 MicroProse Software
Pirates! Gold is an open world game designed by Paul Murphy, developed and released by MicroProse Software in 1993 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Mac and also Sega Genesis and Amiga CD32. Pirates! Gold is a remake of the game Pirates, created by Sid Meier in 1987. Pirates! Gold gameplay is a unique mix of action, strategy, pirate life simulation, ...
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Wasteland

DOS1988protected3.9/5 Interplay Productions
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Rings of Medusa

DOS19904/5 Starbyte Software
Rings of Medusa is a strategy / RPG developed by the German studio Starbyte Software. It was released in 1989 for various platforms including the Commodore 64, Amiga, and MS-DOS. In Rings of Medusa, players assume the role of a hero tasked with defeating the evil sorceress Medusa who has taken control of the city of Olympus. The game world is ...
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Amberstar

DOS19924/5 Thalion
Amberstar is a fantasy old school RPG very similar to Ultima 6 that uses a top-down view for interiors and small locations and a first person pseudo 3D view for everything else. Unfortunately, the sequel (called Ambermoon) was available for Amiga only and no version existed for DOS or Windows. Amberstar was developed and published by Thalion for DO...
auto-duel-05

Autoduel

DOS19853.8/5 Origin Systems
Autoduel is an abandoned top-down open world post apocalyptic RPG/driving game hybrid designed by Chuck Bueche and Richard Garriott of Ultima fame. Autoduel was developed by Origin Systems and was released in 1985 for DOS, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, C64, Apple II, Macintosh, Amiga. Autoduel is based on a board game designed by Steve Jackson himself.
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Solar Winds 2: Galaxy

DOS19933.9/5 Stone Interactive Media
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Darklands

DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1992protected4/5 MicroProse Software
Darklands was a unique historical isometric RPG that mixed real historical data from medieval Germany during the 15th century with a touch of folklore and fantasy. Unfortunately it was also the only Microprose RPG of that kind and beauty. The original game box contained a huge manual with info on european folklore (including the live...
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Port Royale

Windows XP/98/952002protected4.2/5 ASCARON Entertainment
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Might and Magic: World of Xeen

DOSMac OS1994protecteddemo4/5 New World Computing
Might and Magic: World of Xeen is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) released in 1994, which is a combination of two games: Clouds of Xeen and Darkside of Xeen. These games were part of the Might and Magic series, a franchise of RPGs developed by New World Computing. World of Xeen represents the merging of these two games into a single, interconnect...
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Starflight

DOS19864.1/5 Binary Systems
Starflight is a classic space exploration and role-playing video game released in 1986 by Binary Systems and published by Electronic Arts. It is known for its innovative gameplay, as well as its open-ended approach to space exploration and storytelling.The game is set in a massive, procedurally generated universe with thousands of star systems to e...
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The Magic Candle

DOS19894/5 Mindcraft Software
The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...
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Elite Plus

DOS1991freeware4/5 Realtime Games
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The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Windows XP/98/952002protected4.1/5 Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a critically acclaimed open-world action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It was released in 2002 and is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind.The game offers a vast a...
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Times of Lore

DOS19894.1/5 Origin Systems
Times of Lore is an abandoned action RPG designed by Chris Roberts, developed and released by Origin Systems in 1989 for DOS and many more 8 bit and 16 bit platforms. Compared to Ultima (the much more popular franchise also by Origin) Times of Lore is a washed down RPG, more similar to a NES game. In fact, Roberts was inspired by The Legend of Zelda.
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Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams

DOS19914/5 Origin Systems
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams is an abandoned science fiction RPG designed by Jeff George, developed by Origin Systems and released in 1991 for DOS. Martian Dreams uses the Ultima VI engine to depict Mars in a top down perspective.
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Bad Blood

DOS19904.2/5 Origin Systems
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Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire

DOS1990freeware4/5 Origin Systems
After the success of Ultima 6: The False Prophet, Origin decided to "create worlds" not part of the popular Ultima series (strictly speaking) using the same engine of Ultima 6. They came up with two games: The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams. The Savage Empire is set in a stone age-like world and features prehistoric tribes, dinosaurs, insectoid a...
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Elite

DOS1987freeware4.1/5 Firebird
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UnReal World v. 3.20

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1992freeware4.1/5
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Prophecy of the Shadow

DOS1992protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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Divine Divinity

WindowsMac OS2002protected4.3/5 Larian Studios
Divine Divinity is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Larian Studios and released in 2002. It's the first game in the Divinity series, which has since expanded with several sequels and spin-offs. The game is set in a fantasy world called Rivellon, which is threatened by the rise of an evil force known as the Black Ring. Players take on the role...
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Ultima 8: Pagan

DOSMac OS1994protected4.2/5 Origin Systems
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Might and Magic 4: Clouds of Xeen

DOS1992protecteddemo3.8/5 New World Computing
Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen is a role-playing video game developed and published by New World Computing in 1992. It's part of the long-running Might and Magic series. In Clouds of Xeen, players explore the world of Xeen, which is composed of four elemental realms: air, earth, fire, and water. The game features a first-person perspective and ...
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Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows Over Riva

DOS1996protected4/5 Attic Entertainment Software
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Frontier: First Encounters

DOS19954.1/5 Frontier Developments
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AlphaMan

DOS19953.6/5