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.

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Whale's Voyage

DOS19934/5 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

DOS1996protected4/5 Legend Entertainment
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Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire

DOS1990freeware4/5 Origin Systems
After the success of Ultima 6: The False Prophet, Origin decided to "create worlds" not part of the popular Ultima series (strictly speaking) using the same engine of Ultima 6. They came up with two games: The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams. The Savage Empire is set in a stone age-like world and features prehistoric tribes, dinosaurs, insectoid a...
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Ascii Sector

Windows 10/11LinuxDOS2007freeware4/5
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Exile: Escape from the Pit

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995freeware4/5 Spiderweb Software
Exile: Escape from the Pit is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) developed by Spiderweb Software. It is part of the Exile series, originally released in the mid-1990s. This game was later remade and re-released as Avernum: Escape from the Pit. The game is set in a massive underground world called Exile, where the Empire banishes criminals, p...
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Legend of Faerghail

DOS19904/5 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...
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Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Windows XP/98/951999protected4/5 Quantic Dream
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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.
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Van Buren (Fallout 3)

Windows XP/98/952003canceleddemo4/5 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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Pirates! Gold

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protectedremakedemo4/5 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, ...
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Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows Over Riva

DOS1996protected4/5 Attic Entertainment Software
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Amberstar

DOS19924/5 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...
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J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers

DOS19924/5 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...
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Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress

DOS19834/5 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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Don't Go Alone

DOS19894/5 Sterling Silver Software
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Star Control

DOS1990protected4/5 Toys for Bob
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Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware4/5 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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Darklands

DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1992protected4/5 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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Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale

DOS19934/5 Mindcraft Software
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Rings of Medusa

DOS19904/5 Starbyte Software
Rings of Medusa is a strategy / RPG developed by the German studio Starbyte Software. It was released in 1989 for various platforms including the Commodore 64, Amiga, and MS-DOS. In Rings of Medusa, players assume the role of a hero tasked with defeating the evil sorceress Medusa who has taken control of the city of Olympus. The game world is ...
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Entomorph: Plague Of The Darkfall

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.xMac OS1995protected3.9/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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The Magic Candle 3

DOS19923.9/5 Mindcraft Software
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Spirit of Adventure

DOS19913.9/5 Attic Entertainment Software
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Wasteland

DOS1988protected3.9/5 Interplay Productions
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Doomdark's Revenge

DOS19853.9/5 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...
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Solar Winds 2: Galaxy

DOS19933.9/5 Stone Interactive Media
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Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
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Galdregon's Domain

DOS19883.9/5 Pandora
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Daemonsgate

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS1993protected3.9/5 Imagitec Design
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Captain Blood

DOSMac OS19883.9/5 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...