Abandonware DOS title

The best 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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Psi 5 Trading Company

DOS1986protected4.1/5 Distinctive Software
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Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar

DOS1985freeware4.1/5 Origin Systems
Ultima IV is remembered as one of the best Ultima games ever released, designed as usual by Richard Garriott. Garriott took the Ultima series to a whole new level by introducing the eight virtues: honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, spirituality, humility. Ultima IV started the trilogy known as "Age of Enlightenment".
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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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Prophecy of the Shadow

DOS1992protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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Uncharted Waters

DOS19904.1/5 KOEI
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Crazy Taxi

Windows XP/98/9520024.1/5 Sega
Crazy Taxi is an abandoned driving / racing game developed by Sega and released by Activision in 2002 for Windows and other platforms (it's an arcade conversion). Crazy Taxi is set in a city full of potential passengers: get them on your taxi and drive them to various destinations in time.
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Fountain of Dreams

DOS19904.1/5 Electronic Arts
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Nomad

DOS19934.1/5 Papyrus Design Group
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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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Fallout 2

Windows XP/98/951998protected4.1/5 Black Isle Studios
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Frontier: Elite 2

DOS19934.1/5 Frontier Developments
Frontier: Elite II is a classic space simulation and trading game released in 1993, developed by David Braben and his company Frontier Developments. Frontier is the sequel to the pioneering 1984 game Elite and is often considered a landmark title in the space simulation genre.
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Fallout

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protecteddemo4.1/5 Interplay Productions
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Tunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan

DOS19904.1/5 New World Computing
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Frontier: First Encounters

DOS19954.1/5 Frontier Developments
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Ys: The Vanished Omens

DOS19894.1/5 Nihon Falcom
Ys: The Vanished Omens (also known as The Ancient Land of Ys) is an abandoned top-down open-world action RPG designed by Masaya Hashimoto, developed by Nihon Falcom and released by Kyodai Software Marketing for DOS in 1989. Ys: The Vanished Omens was published (earlier) for quite a few other home computers and console.
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Sid Meier's Pirates!

DOS1987protected4.1/5 MicroProse Software
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Solar Winds: The Escape

DOS19934.1/5 Stone Interactive Media
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Tau Ceti

DOS19874.1/5
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UnReal World v. 3.20

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1992freeware4.1/5
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Wing Commander: Privateer

Windows XP/98/95DOSMac OS1993protected4.1/5 Origin Systems
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Elite

DOS1987freeware4.1/5 Firebird
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Midwinter

DOS19904.1/5 Maelstrom Games
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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 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle

DOS19934.1/5 Origin Systems
After the well received Ultima 7 The Black Gate, Origin decided that their Ultima engine could be used for one more game. Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle begins right after The Black Gate ends. This time the Avatar travels to a whole new land, far away from the usual Britannia. Serpent Isle brings its own charm to the series; exploring new lands...
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Grand Theft Auto 2

Windows XP/98/9519994.1/5 DMA Design
Grand Theft Auto 2 is the second chapter in the successful Grand Theft Auto series. GTA 2 is an abandoned top-down action-adventure / driving hybrid game developed by DMA Design and released by Rockstar Games in 1999 for various platforms, including PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, and Game Boy Color. GTA2 is set in a fictional city called "Any...
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Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware4.1/5 Spiderweb Software
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Planet's Edge

DOS1991protected4/5 New World Computing
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Ultima 9: Ascension

Windows XP/98/951999protected4/5 Origin Systems
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Might and Magic 5: Darkside of Xeen

DOS1993protected4/5 New World Computing
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Elite Plus

DOS1991freeware4/5 Realtime Games