Abandonware DOS title

The most popular turn-based tactics games

Turn-based tactical video games are a genre of strategy games where gameplay is divided into turns, during which players take sequential actions with their units or characters. In turn-based tactical games, players typically control a group of units, such as soldiers, heroes, or specialized characters, and navigate them across a grid-based map or environment. Each turn, players can move their units, attack enemies, use special abilities, or perform other actions within the game's mechanics and rules.

The turn-based nature of these games allows players to carefully consider their options and plan their moves strategically, taking into account factors like terrain, unit strengths and weaknesses, and the overall objectives of the game. Typically, the outcome of battles or encounters is determined by a combination of factors such as unit statistics, positioning, and sometimes random chance. Some well-known examples of turn-based tactical games include the XCOM series, Heroes of Might and Magic series, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance. 

Most popular turn-based tactics games

Jagged Alliance 2
strategyWindows XP/98/95, Linux, Mac OS
X-COM: Ufo Defense
strategyDOS
jagged-alliance-2-04

Jagged Alliance 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected4.3/5 Sir-tech Software
Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based tactical role-playing strategy game developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1999 for Windows. It is the sequel to the original Jagged Alliance and has earned a reputation as one of the best games in the turn-based strategy genre.Set in the fictional country of Arulco, Jagged Alliance 2 presents players with the task ...
ufo-5

X-COM: Ufo Defense

DOS1994protected4.3/5 MicroProse Software
UFO: Enemy Unknown (or X-COM: Ufo Defense) is a sci-fi tactical strategy game created by Julian Gollop set in a not-to-distant future where aliens are invading the Earth. The gameplay switches between tactical combat, where you fight aliens in a turn-based fashion, and strategic micromanagement, where you manage your X-COM base and personnel.
homm3-11

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

Windows XP/98/951999protected4.2/5 New World Computing
101-invasion-normandy-05

101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy

Windows XP/98/9519984.2/5 Empire Interactive
starcommand-4

Star Command

DOS1988protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 New World Computing
laser-squad-07

Laser Squad

DOS19923.9/5 Target Games Limited
Laser Squad is an abandoned turn-based strategy/tactical game designed by Julian Gollop (the mind behind the X-COM series). Laser Squad was developed by Target Games Limited and released by MicroLeague Multimedia in 1992 for DOS and other 8-bit systems. Laser Squad is considered as a precursor of X-COM: Ufo Defense.
decision_desert-05

Decision in the Desert

DOS19853.8/5 MicroProse Software
kingsbounty-1

King's Bounty

DOSMac OS19903.9/5 New World Computing
age-of-wonders-09

Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo4.2/5 Triumph Studios
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS19954.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Steel Panthers is the first game in the Steel Panthers series. It was released in 1995 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). This initial release laid the foundation for the series and introduced players to the turn-based tactical wargame experience that would be further developed in subsequent titles. The game focused on armored warfare and featur...
gary-grisby-war-in-russia-08

Gary Grigsby's War in Russia

DOS1993protected3.7/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
heroesmightmagic1-6

Heroes of Might and Magic

DOSWindows XP/98/951995protected4.2/5 New World Computing
panzerl-general-2-08

Panzer General 2

Windows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
battleantietam-1

Battle of Antietam

DOS1985protected3.6/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
5th-fleet-07

5th Fleet

DOS19943.9/5
panzer_004

Panzer General

DOS1994protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Panger General is a turn based strategy wargame developed by SSI set in World War 2. The player can choose Axis or Allies and fight against the AI or another human player in more than 30 scenarios on a classic hex based map.
clash-of-steel-07

Clash of Steel

DOS1993protected3.9/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
jagged-alliance-1-10

Jagged Alliance

DOS1994protected4.3/5 Sir-tech Software
star-general-combo-02

Star General

Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected4/5 Catware, Inc.
Star General is a turn-based strategy game developed by Catware and published by SSI (Strategic Simulations, Inc.). It was released in 1996 for MS-DOS and later for Windows. The game is set in a science fiction universe where players take command of one of five different factions, each vying for control of the galaxy.In Star General, players comman...
steel-panthers-3-06

Steel Panthers 3: Brigade Command - 1939-1999

DOS1997protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
empire-deluxe-07

Empire Deluxe

DOSWindows 3.x19934/5 White Wolf Productions
v4vmarket_007

V for victory: Market-Garden

DOS1993protected4.1/5 Atomic Games
pattonvsrommel-1

Patton vs. Rommel

DOS19874/5 Electronic Arts
metal-marines-01

Metal Marines

Windows 3.x19933.9/5 Namco
fantasy-empires-03

Fantasy Empires

DOS1993protected3.9/5 Silicon Knights
great-war-14-18-02

The Great War: 1914 - 1918

DOS1993protected4.1/5 Blue Byte Software
conflictvietnam-4

Conflict in Vietnam

DOS19864.2/5 MicroProse Software
kampfgruppe-05

Kampfgruppe

DOS1987protected3.6/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
jagged-alliance-deadly-games-09

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

DOS1996protected4.2/5 Sir-tech Software