The best abandonware strategy games
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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Windows XP/98/951998protected wargame, turn-based tactics
Space Crusade
DOS1992 turn-based tactics
The Settlers
DOS1993protected sandbox strategy, real-time strategy
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 ...
Master of Magic
DOSWindows XP/98/951994protected kingdom simulation, 4x
Master of Magic is a turn based 4x strategy game developed by SimTex and published by the well know Microprose, very similar to Civilization, with a fantasy twist. You play as a wizard and your objective is to evolve your race fro...
Clue Master Detective
DOS1989 board game
Clue Master Detective is an abandoned strategy game developed by Dalali Software and released by Leisure Genius in 1989 for DOS, Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, C64. Clue Master Detective is based on the well known board game Clue (als...
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
DOS1995protected turn-based tactics
X-COM: Terror from the Deep (also known as X-COM 2) is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Step...
Army Men
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time tactics
Army Men lets you live out your childhood fantasy of plastic soldier warfare without the hassle of crawling under the couch. You control Sarge, a green-tinted war machine with a stiff upper lip and an affinity for melting tan enem...
Jagged Alliance
DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
Bicycle Bridge
DOS1992 cards
Ready to get your heart racing with the world’s slowest competitive sport? Bicycle Bridge brings the thrill of bidding, trick-taking, and utter confusion straight to your DOS machine. Whether you're a grandmaster or just som...
High Command: Europe 1939-45
DOS1992 wargame, turn-based tactics
Mario's Game Gallery
DOSMac OS1995 cards, board game
Myth: The Fallen Lords
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1997 real-time tactics, real-time strategy
Reunion
DOS1994 real-time strategy
Sword of Aragon
DOS1989protected 4x, kingdom simulation, turn-based tactics
Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty
Windows XP/98/951999protected real-time tactics
Warcraft: Orcs and Humans
DOS1994protecteddemo real-time strategy
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is the first real-time fantasy strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment. Two separate story lines (Orcs and Humans) evolve with 12 scenarios per side telling the tale of the battle for the Kingdom of A...
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 ...
Axis and Allies
Windows XP/98/951998 board game, wargame
Board game night went digital in 1998 with Axis and Allies, a strategy title that lets you rewrite WWII—assuming you don’t forget where you left your infantry. Fans of the tabletop classic will feel right at home maneu...
V for victory: Market-Garden
DOS1993protected wargame, turn-based tactics
Castles 2: Siege and Conquest
DOSMac OS1992protected real-time strategy
Castles 2 took everything the first game did and cranked it up with actual diplomacy, espionage, and conquest mechanics. Now you’re not just stacking bricks—you’re plotting political marriages and assassinating r...
Master of Orion 3
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS2003protected 4x, real-time tactics
Warlords
DOS1990 4x
Renegade Legion Interceptor
DOS1990protected wargame, turn-based tactics, board game
Mick's Strip Poker
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1999NSFW cards
Syndicate
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1993protecteddemo real-time tactics
Syndicate is a cyberpunk-themed tactical action game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1993. The game is set in a dystopian future where corporations, called syndicates, have replaced government...
Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness
DOS1995protected real-time strategy
Tank Wars
DOS1990 artillery
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...
V for victory: Gold-Juno-Sword
DOS1993protected wargame, turn-based tactics