The most popular 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).
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Mines of Titan
DOS1989 Westwood Studios
Mines of Titan (also known as Mars Saga for other platforms) is an abandoned single-player RPG with a sci-fi setting (you're going to Mars!). Mines of Titan was developed by Westwood Studios and released by Infocom in 1989 for DOS, Apple II and Commodore 64.
Over the Reich
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1996 Big Time Software
The Ancient Art of War at Sea
DOS1987 Evryware
Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) v1.1
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1996freeware
Machiavelli the Prince
DOS1995protected Holistic Design
CD-Man v2.0
DOS1992 Creative Dimensions
Conflict in Vietnam
DOS1986 MicroProse Software
Mageslayer
Windows XP/98/951997 Raven Software
Mageslayer is an action game developed by Raven Software and published by GT Interactive in 1997 for MS-DOS. It stands out as a top-down, hack-and-slash dungeon crawler inspired by games like Gauntlet, but with an original fantasy setting and a darker, more intense tone. The game uses the same engine as Take No Prisoners, another Raven Software tit...
Free Enterprise
Windows XP/98/951996 Tsunami Media
Dehumanizing offices? Check. Depressing environment? Check. No windows in the whole place? Check. Good, I'm ready to exploit my workers and become great entrepreneur. All of this thanks to Free Enterprise, a simulation for Windows by Tsunami Media, published in 1996.
Boston Bomb Club
DOS1991 Silmarils
People's General
Windows XP/98/951998protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Frontline
DOS1990 Cases Computer Simulations
Exile II: Crystal Souls
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware Spiderweb Software
Galaxy
DOS1981 Microcomputer Games Inc.
Super ZZT
DOS1992 Epic MegaGames
Dark Reign 2
Windows XP/98/952000protected Pandemic Studios
Wild West World
DOS1991 Software 2000
Moria
DOS1992freeware
Knightmare
DOS1986 Konami
Nobunaga's Ambition 2
DOS1989 KOEI
7 colors
DOS1991 Gamos
Fantasy General
DOS1996protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Fantasy General is a hex-based turn-based strategy fantasy wargame. The player can duel either against a computer or a human opponent or even take part in a longer campaign. There are two sides to chose from, one good and one evil, each with unique and colorful units.
Disciples of Steel
DOS1994
Exile III: Ruined World
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1997freeware Spiderweb Software
Planet's Edge
DOS1991protected New World Computing
X-Men 2: The Fall of the Mutants
DOS1991 Paragon Software
God of Thunder
DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware Adept Software
God of Thunder is a classic computer game developed by Adept Software and released in 1993. It's a puzzle platformer with a fantasy theme. In the game, you control Thor, the Norse god of thunder, on a quest to save Midgard (Earth) from the evil god Loki and his minions.The gameplay involves navigating through various levels filled with obstacles, e...
Raiden
DOS1994 Seibu Kaihatsu Inc.
Raiden is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game developed by Seibu Kaihatsu and first released in arcades in 1990 and later for many home computers and consoles. Raiden follows the classic vertical scrolling shoot 'em up format. Players control a spaceship known as the R-9C "Red-Ray" and navigate vertically scrolling levels filled with wave...
Cannon Fodder
DOS1994protected Sensible Software
Cannon Fodder, released by Sensible Software in 1993, is a military-themed action game that cleverly blends strategy with real-time tactics. Players control a small squad of soldiers through various missions, facing enemies and obstacles in a top-down perspective. The game's distinctive style is marked by its dark humor and satirical take on war, m...
Gauntlet
DOS1986 Mindscape