Abandonware DOS title

The most popular top-down party-based RPG games

Party-based role-playing games played in a top down perspective were perhaps the first CRPGs to get some attention by fans of pen & paper RPGs. After all, a top down view is the ideal way to convey the feeling of looking at a map, and it's the perfect way to show every member of the party in a turn-based combat. The most fondly remembered top-down CRPGs of the golden age of gaming were perhaps the ones designed by the immortal Richard Garriott: the Ultima series. Let's not forget classics such as The Magic Candle, Dark Sun, Wasteland.
blades-exile-02

Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware4.1/5 Spiderweb Software
exile1-01

Exile: Escape from the Pit

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
magiccandle-1

The Magic Candle

DOS19894/5 Mindcraft Software
The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...
demons-winter-2

Demon's Winter

DOS1989protected3.8/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
keysmaramon-2

Keys to Maramon

DOS19903.9/5 Mindcraft Software
challenge-of-the-five-realms-5

Challenge of the Five Realms

DOS1992protected3.7/5 MicroProse Software
dragonflight-01

Dragonflight

DOS19913.6/5 Thalion
planetsedge-8

Planet's Edge

DOS1991protected4/5 New World Computing
phantasie_3-1

Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus

DOS19874.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
martiandreams-9

Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams

DOS19914/5 Origin Systems
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams is an abandoned science fiction RPG designed by Jeff George, developed by Origin Systems and released in 1991 for DOS. Martian Dreams uses the Ultima VI engine to depict Mars in a top down perspective.
space-1889-06

Space 1889

DOS19903.9/5 Paragon Software
Space 1889 is an abandoned top down RPG developed by Paragon Software and released in 1990 for DOS, Atari ST and Amiga. Space 1889 setting is classic science fiction, but is set in the Victorian. It's worth noting that Space 1889 is loosely based on the tabletop game of the same name.
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Dungeons of Kairn

DOS19893.6/5
aethra_game_006

The Aethra Chronicles

DOS19943.9/5
The Aethra Chronicles is not a well know fantasy RPG, but it deserves some praise. It was developed by only one person (Micheal Lawrence) and, as the title implies, was intended to be the first volume of a saga. Unfortunately, volume two and three were never made. For a shareware game, Aethra was pretty solid and is still loved by the ones who play...
temple-elemental-evil-04

The Temple of Elemental Evil

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS2003protected3.9/5 Troika Games
exile3-03

Exile III: Ruined World

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1997freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software