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).
dungeon-crawl-dos-03

Dungeon Crawl

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1997freeware
Dungeon Crawl (also known as Linley's Dungeon Crawl from the name of the original programmer: Linley Henzell) is a classic roguelike: an RPG with permadeath, procedural generation and high replayability. Dungeon Crawl was released...
martiandreams-9

Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams

DOS1991 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 ...
wizcrown-6

Wizard's Crown

DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
clash-of-steel-07

Clash of Steel

DOS1993protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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 as the "Magic Candle" series, another popular RPG ...
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Nectaris

DOS1995 Hudson soft
5th-fleet-07

5th Fleet

DOS1994
This 1994 naval strategy game for DOS is based on the board game of the same name, which means you’ll spend more time squinting at menus than blowing up ships. It’s cerebral, methodical, and incredibly satisfying - if ...
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 classic board game, this DOS gem lets you take your a...
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Austerlitz 1805

DOS1989 Cornerstone Software
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Dark Reign 2

Windows XP/98/952000protected Pandemic Studios
ultima2-08

Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress

DOS1983 Origin Systems
The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed,...
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Emperor of the Fading Suns

Windows XP/98/951996 Holistic Design
romancethree2-2

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2

DOS1990 KOEI
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Koei. It was released in 1989 for various platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), MS-DOS.In Romance of the Three Kingd...
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V for victory: Velikiye Luki

DOS1992protected Atomic Games
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Hoyle Classic Card Games

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1993 Sierra On-Line
roadwar2000-3

Roadwar 2000

DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
rodent-revenge-01

Rodent's Revenge

Windows 3.x1991 Microsoft
Rodent's Revenge is a puzzle video game originally released in 1991 as part of the Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows. Developed by Christopher Lee Fraley, the game is simple, with gameplay revolving around a small mouse cha...
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Unnatural Selection

DOS1993 Maxis
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Amberstar

DOS1992 Thalion
Amberstar is a fantasy old school RPG very similar to Ultima 6 that uses a top-down view for interiors and small locations and a first person pseudo 3D view for everything else. Unfortunately, the sequel (called Ambermoon) was ava...
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Highway Fighter

DOS1995 Safari Software
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Star Trek: Birth of the Federation

Windows XP/98/951999 MicroProse Software
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation is a turn-based strategy video game set in the Star Trek universe. The game was developed by MicroProse Software and published by Infogrames for Windows in 1999. Players take on the role of ...
fastfooddizzy-2

Fast Food Dizzy

DOS1989 Codemasters
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Star Control

DOS1990protected Toys for Bob
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Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware Spiderweb Software
Blades of Exile is a classic role-playing video game developed by Spiderweb Software. It's the third installment in the "Exile" series. The game was released in 1997 for Mac OS, and later for Windows in 1998. In Blades of Exile, p...
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CHAMP Ms. Pac-man

DOS1994remake ChamProgramming corp.
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Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale

DOS1993 Mindcraft Software
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a grumpy bearded guy swinging an axe and saving the world before second breakfast, Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale is your jam. Released in 1993 for DOS, this RPG tosses you into a world wher...
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Boston Bomb Club

DOS1991 Silmarils
Boston Bomb Club (1991, DOS) is a Rube Goldberg fever dream disguised as a puzzle game. Your mission: guide bombs (yes, bombs) along increasingly elaborate tracks using contraptions like rotating tiles, steam pipes, and sheer chao...
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Checkers for Windows

Windows 3.x1997
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Major Stryker

DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware Apogee Software
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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 Might and Magic series. This game is often regarded as...