Abandonware DOS title

The best open world games

An open-world video game is a genre of video game where the player is given a large, expansive virtual world (or universe) to explore and interact with. In contrast to linear games that follow a predetermined path or level-based progression, open-world games typically offer freedom and non-linearity, allowing players to roam and engage with the game world at their own pace.

Open-world games often feature vast landscapes or cities that can be freely traversed, and they often include a variety of activities, missions, or quests for players to undertake. These games commonly provide a range of gameplay options, such as exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, character development, and interacting with non-player characters (NPCs).

Popular examples of open-world games include The Elder Scrolls series (e.g., Morrowind), the Grand Theft Auto series, Ultima 7, Darklands, and Star Control 2, among many others.

ultima1-3

Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness

DOS1987 Origin Systems
Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness is a seminal role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and released by California Pacific Computer Company in 1981. It is the first game in the long-running and influential Ultima series. Initially released for the Apple II, it was later ported to various platforms including DOS, Commodore 64, At...
whales-voyage-06

Whale's Voyage

DOS1993 neo Software Produktions
Whale's Voyage is an abandoned science fiction first-person view party-based RPG, developed by neo Software Produktions and released by Pro One Software in 1993. Whale's Voyage is currently abandonware and it was published for PC (DOS) and Amiga.
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Star Control 3

DOS1996protected Legend Entertainment
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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 down perspective.
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Ascii Sector

Windows 10/11LinuxDOS2007freeware
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Elite Plus

DOS1991freeware Realtime Games
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J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers

DOS1992 Interplay Productions
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings II was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1992. The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is based on the popular The Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tol...
legend-faerghail-03

Legend of Faerghail

DOS1990 Electronic Design Hannover
Legend of Faerghail is a role-playing video game developed by Electronic Design Hannover and published by Rainbow Arts. It was released in 1990 for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and MS-DOS platforms. The game is set in the fantasy world of Faerghail, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer Daldras.The game...
might-and-magic-V-7

Might and Magic 5: Darkside of Xeen

DOS1993protecteddemo New World Computing
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen is a role-playing video game developed by New World Computing and released in 1993. It is the fifth installment in the Might and Magic series and forms the second half of a larger story arc that began with Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen. The plot focuses on the player's quest to stop the evil overlord Sh...
piratesg_006

Pirates! Gold

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protectedremakedemo MicroProse Software
Pirates! Gold is an open world game designed by Paul Murphy, developed and released by MicroProse Software in 1993 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Mac and also Sega Genesis and Amiga CD32. Pirates! Gold is a remake of the game Pirates, created by Sid Meier in 1987. Pirates! Gold gameplay is a unique mix of action, strategy, pirate life simulation, ...
sleeping-gods-lie-04

Sleeping Gods Lie

DOS1991 Oxford Digital Enterprises
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Van Buren (Fallout 3)

Windows XP/98/952003canceleddemo Black Isle Studios
Van Buren was a science fiction post-apocalyptic RPG being developed by Black Isle Studios and never published. Van Buren was the direct sequel to Fallout 2, part of the Fallout franchise. Van Buren was canceled in 2003.
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Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows Over Riva

DOS1996protected Attic Entertainment Software
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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 available for Amiga only and no version existed for DOS or Windows. Amberstar was developed and published by Thalion for DO...
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, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.
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The Magic Candle 3

DOS1992 Mindcraft Software
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Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Windows XP/98/951999protected Quantic Dream
dont-go-alone-03

Don't Go Alone

DOS1989 Sterling Silver Software
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Star Control

DOS1990protected Toys for Bob
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Doomdark's Revenge

DOS1985 Beyond Software
Doomdark's Revenge is a strategy and role-playing video game developed by Mike Singleton and originally released in 1985 for DOS and various home computer systems, including the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64. It is the sequel to the earlier game Lords of Midnight and is known for its unique combination of strategy, adventure, and story...
blades-exile-02

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, players control a party of adventurers who explore the underground world of Exile/Avernum, a vast network of caves and dun...
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Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale

DOS1993 Mindcraft Software
darklands-3

Darklands

DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1992protected MicroProse Software
Darklands was a unique historical isometric RPG that mixed real historical data from medieval Germany during the 15th century with a touch of folklore and fantasy. Unfortunately it was also the only Microprose RPG of that kind and beauty. The original game box contained a huge manual with info on european folklore (including the live...
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Spirit of Adventure

DOS1991 Attic Entertainment Software
wasteland-splash

Wasteland

DOS1988protected Interplay Productions
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Solar Winds 2: Galaxy

DOS1993 Stone Interactive Media
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Galdregon's Domain

DOS1988 Pandora
daemonsgate-05

Daemonsgate

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS1993protected Imagitec Design
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Captain Blood

DOSMac OS1988 ERE Informatique
Captain Blood is a space exploration video game released in 1988. It was developed by the French company ERE Informatique, and it was designed by Philippe Ulrich and Didier Bouchon.The game is set in a futuristic universe, where players take on the role of Captain Blood, a human abducted by an alien race known as the Thiiny. The gameplay revolves a...