Abandonware DOS title

The best top down games

Top down games were very popular in the 80s and the 90s, when graphic cards were not capable of supporting 3D, and even when 3D started to become popular, 2D games continued to be easier to develop, at least in the infancy of 3D gaming. 2D game offered the player a viewpoint that helped keeping things easily under control (think about top down party-based RPGs or hex-based strategy games).
sexy-droids-05

Sexy Droids

DOS1992NSFW Eleven Software
shard-of-spring-03

Shard of Spring

DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
socrates-chess-03

Socrates

DOS1993
ancient-art-of-war-01

The Ancient Art of War

DOS1984 Evryware
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, includ...
tracon1-02

Tracon: Air Traffic Control Simulator

DOS1989 Wesson International
traders-02

Traders

DOS1992 Linel
vengeance-excalibur-04

Vengeance of Excalibur

DOS1991 Synergistic Software
weird-worlds-return-05

Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS2005protected Digital Eel
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is a science fiction roguelike game developed by Digital Eel. Originally released in 2005, it is the sequel to Strange Adventures in Infinite...
welltris-3

Welltris

DOS1989 Sphere
Welltris is a puzzle video game designed by Alexey Pajitnov, the creator of Tetris. Released in 1989, Welltris offers a fresh take on the block-dropping mechanics of Tetris, expand...
wizcrown-6

Wizard's Crown

DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
simlife-2

SimLife

DOSMac OSWindows 3.x1992 Maxis
SimLife is an abandoned simulation game focused on managing a ecosystems and experimenting with genetics. SimLife was designed by Ken Karakotsios, developed and released by Maxis i...
galaxy-4

Galaxy

DOS1981 Microcomputer Games Inc.
angband-03

Angband

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1992freeware
If you’ve ever thought The Lord of the Rings needed more ASCII and fewer hobbit feelings, Angband is your jam. Since 1992, this dungeon-crawling roguelike has been throwing p...
dungeon-crawl-dos-03

Dungeon Crawl

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1997freeware
If you ever wanted to explore endless, procedurally generated tunnels filled with monsters, traps, and the occasional existential crisis, Dungeon Crawl is your kind of misery. Rele...
wcs_italy90-splash

Italy 1990

DOS1990 Tiertex Design Studios
buckrogersmatrix-05

Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
This sequel takes the same D&D-in-space formula and tries to go bigger, bolder, and... okay, maybe just more complicated. Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed continues the galactic strug...
steel-panthers-3-06

Steel Panthers 3: Brigade Command - 1939-1999

DOS1997protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
darklands-3

Darklands

DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1992protected MicroProse Software
Darklands is what happens when medieval Europe gets even darker than it already was. This 1992 RPG drops you into the Holy Roman Empire, but don’t expect knights in shining a...
it-came-from-the-desert-06

It Came from the Desert

DOS1990freeware Cinemaware
It Came from the Desert is an abandonware action-adventure game developed by Cinemaware and released in 1990 for PC (DOS) and Amiga. It Came From the Desert is an action-adventure ...
total-annihilation-kingdoms-02

Total Annihilation Kingdoms

Windows XP/98/951999protected Cavedog Entertainment
clash-of-steel-07

Clash of Steel

DOS1993protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
If Risk and Excel had a baby during WWII, it would be Clash of Steel. You command nations, move armies, manage production, and try to stop history from repeating itself—usual...
carrier-strike-south-pacific-04

Carrier Strike: South Pacific 1942-44

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
If you ever wanted to command the Pacific fleet without getting wet, Carrier Strike is your game. Set during WWII, it’s a turn-based wargame where numbers, radar, and weather...
keysmaramon-2

Keys to Maramon

DOS1990 Mindcraft Software
Keys to Maramon is a role-playing game developed by Mindcraft Software and released in 1990 for the Amiga, MS-DOS, and Commodore 64 platforms. The game is set in the same universe ...
nectaris-splash

Nectaris

DOS1995 Hudson soft
advanced-civilization-01

Advanced Civilization

DOS1995 Avalon Hill
Think you’re good at making tough decisions under pressure? Advanced Civilization dares you to prove it by turning diplomacy into passive-aggressive warfare. Based on the cla...
battleausterlitz-2

Austerlitz 1805

DOS1989 Cornerstone Software
dark-reign-2-06

Dark Reign 2

Windows XP/98/952000protected Pandemic Studios
Released in 2000, Dark Reign 2 took the futuristic RTS series into full 3D territory. While other games were content with flashy visuals, this one focused on tactical depth and res...
magiccandle-1

The Magic Candle

DOS1989 Mindcraft Software
Released in 1989 for DOS, The Magic Candle is a classic RPG with more depth than a wizard’s library. You must keep a sacred candle burning to prevent evil from escaping &mdas...
kingsbounty-1

King's Bounty

DOSMac OS1990 New World Computing
King’s Bounty is a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements, originally released in 1990 by New World Computing. It was created by Jon Van Caneghem, also known for the Migh...