Dogs of War

Dogs of War (1996) drops you into a gritty mercenary’s life where missions mean money, and money means better gear. Set on Windows XP, the game blends strategy and action with a heavy emphasis on firepower. You’ll hire soldiers, choose contracts, and march into battle with enough fire and steel to make Michael Bay jealous. The isometric perspective gives it a tactical edge, though you’ll spend just as much time worrying about ammo and squad health as you will about enemies. It’s grim, explosive, and surprisingly deep for a game that mostly encourages you to shoot first and ask questions later.