Abandonware strategy games sorted by release date
Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.
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Monopoly (Adam Stevens)
DOS1998 board game
People's General
Windows XP/98/951998protected wargame, turn-based tactics
Populous: The Beginning
Windows XP/98/951998protected god game, sandbox strategy, real-time strategy
Robo Rumble
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
Settlers of Catan
DOS1998 board game
Star Wars Rebellion
Windows XP/98/951998protected real-time strategy
StarCraft
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1998protecteddemo real-time strategy
StarCraft is a classic RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released in 1998 for Windows and Macintosh. StarCraft takes the Warcraft experience to a sci-fi setting with an interesting story, three ...
Warhammer 40000: Chaos Gate
Windows XP/98/951998protected turn-based tactics
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo real-time strategy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Released in 1999, it is the second installment in the Age of Empires series and remains one ...
Age of Wonders
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo turn-based tactics
Mix one part turn-based strategy, one part fantasy novel, add a dash of dragon, and you get Age of Wonders (1999). This is the game where wizards rule, elves sulk in forests, and you get to conquer the world with tactical brillian...
Alpha Centauri
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1999protected 4x
Sid Meier took one look at Earth and said, “Let’s leave this dump.” Thus, Alpha Centauri (1999, Windows XP) was born - a 4X strategy game that takes Civilization to space, then adds philosophy, moral dilemmas, an...
Axis and Allies: Iron Blitz
Windows XP/98/951999 wargame, board game
Now with 27% more diplomacy and 300% more frustration! Axis and Allies: Iron Blitz (1999) takes everything from the original game and throws in extra scenarios, improved AI, and more ways to accidentally cause a Cold War. Want to ...
Black Moon Chronicles
DOS1999protected real-time tactics
Based on a French comic series, Black Moon Chronicles (1999) is what you'd get if a fantasy novel and a real-time strategy game had a slightly awkward baby. The art is dark, the tone is darker, and the gameplay is surprisingly com...
Civilization II: Test of Time
Windows XP/98/951999remake 4x
Civilization II: Test of Time is an abandoned turn-based strategy game developed by Atari and released by MicroProse Software in 1999 for Windows. Civilization II: Test of Time is a remake of the cult classic Civilization 2, witho...
Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty
Windows XP/98/951999protected real-time tactics
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
Windows XP/98/951999protected turn-based tactics
Jagged Alliance 2
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected turn-based tactics
Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based tactical role-playing strategy game developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1999 for Windows. It is the sequel to the original Jagged Alliance and has earned a reputation as one of the best games in...
Liero
DOS1999freeware artillery
Mick's Strip Poker
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1999NSFW cards
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation
Windows XP/98/951999 4x
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 ...
Total Annihilation Kingdoms
Windows XP/98/951999protected real-time strategy
Warzone 2100
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999freeware real-time strategy
Arrakis
DOS2000 real-time strategy
No relation to Dune (except for being a total rip-off), Arrakis is a homebrew strategy game that feels like a tribute to the sandiest planet in sci-fi. You mine spice, fight vaguely Harkonnen-looking enemies, and try not to crash ...
Cossacks: European Wars
Windows XP/98/952000protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics
Cossacks: European Wars is a real-time strategy game developed by GSC Game World and released in 2001. The game is set in the 17th and 18th centuries, a period marked by significant military, political, and social changes in ...
Cultures
Windows XP/98/952000protected sandbox strategy, real-time strategy
Dark Reign 2
Windows XP/98/952000protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics
Dungeon Keeper 3: War for the Overworld
Windows 10/112000canceled sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Dungeon Keeper 3 was a cancelled dungeon management strategy game being developed by Bullfrog that was never released. Dungeon Keeper 3 was cancelled in 2000 and the Dungeon Keeper franchise ended without a third chapter.
Ground Control
Windows XP/98/952000protected real-time tactics
Ground Control is a strategy game developed by Massive Entertainment and released by Sierra On-Line in 2000. More precisely Ground Control is a real time tactical game with a sci-fi setting.
Triple Triad Gold
Windows XP/98/952000freeware cards
Triple Triad is a card game that originated in the Final Fantasy series, specifically in Final Fantasy VIII. The game is played on a 3x3 grid, and each player has a deck of cards featuring different characters, monsters, or other ...
Black & White
Windows XP/98/952001 god game
Black & White (2001) is what happens when a god game gets a bit too literal. You play as a deity, complete with a giant hand, an enormous ego, and a giant pet that poops on villagers. Will you be kind and benevolent, or a flam...