Abandonware DOS title

The most popular turn-based tactics games

Turn-based tactical video games are a genre of strategy games where gameplay is divided into turns, during which players take sequential actions with their units or characters. In turn-based tactical games, players typically control a group of units, such as soldiers, heroes, or specialized characters, and navigate them across a grid-based map or environment. Each turn, players can move their units, attack enemies, use special abilities, or perform other actions within the game's mechanics and rules.

The turn-based nature of these games allows players to carefully consider their options and plan their moves strategically, taking into account factors like terrain, unit strengths and weaknesses, and the overall objectives of the game. Typically, the outcome of battles or encounters is determined by a combination of factors such as unit statistics, positioning, and sometimes random chance. Some well-known examples of turn-based tactical games include the XCOM series, Heroes of Might and Magic series, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance. 

v4vmarket_007

V for victory: Market-Garden

DOS1993protected Atomic Games
battleantietam-splash

Battle of Antietam

DOS1985protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
blitzardennes-2

Blitzkrieg: Battle at the Ardennes

DOS1990 Command Simulations
desert-rats-03

Desert Rats

DOS1986 Cases Computer Simulations
fantasy-empires-03

Fantasy Empires

DOS1993protected Silicon Knights
pacific-general-03

Pacific General

Windows XP/98/951997protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
metal-marines-01

Metal Marines

Windows 3.x1993 Namco
battleisle1-1

Battle Isle

DOS1991protected Blue Byte Software
laser-squad-07

Laser Squad

DOS1992 Target Games Limited
Laser Squad is an abandoned turn-based strategy/tactical game designed by Julian Gollop (the mind behind the X-COM series). Laser Squad was developed by Target Games Limited and released by MicroLeague Multimedia in 1992 for DOS and other 8-bit systems. Laser Squad is considered as a precursor of X-COM: Ufo Defense.
carrier-strike-south-pacific-04

Carrier Strike: South Pacific 1942-44

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
5th-fleet-07

5th Fleet

DOS1994
decisive-civil-war-2-08

Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 2

DOS1989 SSG Strategic Studies Group
arnhem-01

Arnhem: The Market Garden Operation

DOS1988 Cases Computer Simulations
xcom3-09

X-COM: Apocalypse

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected Mythos Software
X-COM: Apocalypse is the third installment of the very popular X-COM franchise. After X-COM: Ufo Defence and Terror From the Deep, fans expected another smash hit. Apocalypse is quite different under many aspects, from gameplay to aesthetics. X-COM Apocalypse was designed by Julian Gollop (the same designer that brought the original X-COM to l...
sword-of-aragon-05

Sword of Aragon

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
conflictvietnam-4

Conflict in Vietnam

DOS1986 MicroProse Software
peoples-general-06

People's General

Windows XP/98/951998protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
fantasygeneral-1

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.
frontline-v14-01

Frontline

DOS1990 Cases Computer Simulations
clash-of-steel-07

Clash of Steel

DOS1993protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
waterloo-02

Waterloo

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
ums-2-07

UMS 2: Nations at War

DOSMac OS1990 Intergalactic Development
crusade-in-europe-01

Crusade in Europe

DOS1985 MicroProse Software
ums-1

UMS: The Universal Military Simulator

DOSMac OS1988 Intergalactic Development
UMS, short for Universal Military Simulator, is a computer-based wargame simulation developed by Rainbird Software in 1988. It was designed with the intention of providing players with a comprehensive and realistic military simulation experience.The game allows players to engage in strategic and tactical warfare across various scenarios and battlef...
conflict-korea-05

Conflict: Korea

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
merchant-colony-07

Merchant Colony

DOS1991 Impressions Games
grisby-pacific-war-03

Gary Grigsby's Pacific War

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
siege-06

Siege

DOS1992 Mindcraft Software
vvictoryjuno-4

V for victory: Gold-Juno-Sword

DOS1993protected Atomic Games