The best abandonware strategy games

Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.

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Roadwar Europa

DOS1987protected turn-based tactics

Sid Meier's CivNet

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1995 4x

CivNet is a multiplayer adaptation of the original Sid Meier's Civilization game, released in 1995. It was developed and published by MicroProse for MS-DOS and Windows. This version of Civilization brought networked multiplayer gameplay to the series for the first time, alongside updated graphics and improved interface elements. CivNet retaine...

Siege

DOS1992 turn-based tactics

Socrates

DOS1993 chess

Stronghold

DOS1993protected real-time strategy, kingdom simulation

Stronghold, released in 1993, is a strategy simulation game developed by Stormfront Studios and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). Players assume the role of a lord tasked with managing a kingdom. The game involves city-building elements combined with resource management and combat. You can construct and expand castles, farms...

Triple Triad Gold

Windows XP/98/952000freeware cards

Triple Triad is a card game that originated in the Final Fantasy series, specifically in Final Fantasy VIII. The game is played on a 3x3 grid, and each player has a deck of cards featuring different characters, monsters, or other elements from the Final Fantasy universe. When a card is placed adjacent to an opponent's card, and the rank of the...

Battle Chess 4000

DOS1992protected chess

Dark Reign: The Future of War

Windows XP/98/951997protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics

Nectaris

DOS1995 turn-based tactics

Total Annihilation Kingdoms

Windows XP/98/951999protected real-time strategy

Cover Girl Strip Poker

DOS1991NSFW cards

Austerlitz 1805

DOS1989 wargame, turn-based tactics

Dark Reign 2

Windows XP/98/952000protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics

The Ancient Art of War

DOS1984 real-time strategy

The Ancient Art of War is a classic video game that was released in the late 1980s. Developed by Evryware and published by Broderbund, it was available on various platforms, including Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, and MS-DOS. The Ancient Art of War is a strategy game that takes place in various historical settings, such as ancient China, Greece, and t...

Alpha Centauri

Windows XP/98/951999protected 4x

Star Command

DOS1988protected space exploration, turn-based tactics

Cultures

Windows XP/98/952000protected sandbox strategy, real-time strategy

Midway Campaign

DOS1983 wargame, turn-based tactics

Grandmaster Chess

DOS1992protected chess

Hoyle Classic Card Games

DOS1993 cards

Roadwar 2000

DOS1987protected turn-based tactics

Unnatural Selection

DOS1993 real-time tactics

Dungeon Keeper 2

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy

Star Control

DOS1990protected shoot 'em up

4Play

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1995NSFW board game

4Play was a risqué trivia and multi-player board-style game released in the mid-1990s. Designed as a party game, it combined trivia questions, mini-games, and challenges that often leaned toward suggestive or adult themes. It was intended to be played in social settings, often among friends or couples, with the goal of breaking the...

Rings of Medusa

DOS1990 real-time strategy, kingdom simulation

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 ...