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).
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L'Empereur
DOS1991 KOEI
Dogs of War
Windows XP/98/951996demo Software Engineering
Black Moon Chronicles
DOS1999protected Cryo Interactive Entertainment
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
Windows XP/98/951996 Synergistic Software
Mega lo Mania
DOS1992 Sensible Software
Mega lo Mania, also known as Mega-Lo-Mania: The Battle for Elysium in some regions, is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Sensible Software and published by Image Works. It was originally released in 1991 for various platforms, including the Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, and later on other systems like the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive). The ...
Conflict: Europe
DOS1989 Personal Software Services
Conflict Europe is an abandoned turn-based top-down strategy game set in Europe. The game was developed by Personal Software Services and released by Mirrorsoft in 1989 for DOS, Amiga and Atari ST.
Conflict: Korea
DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
X-Men 2: The Fall of the Mutants
DOS1991 Paragon Software
Jurassic Park
DOS1993 Ocean Software
Conan: the Cimmerian
DOS1991 Synergistic Software
Chessmaster 9000
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS2002 UBI Soft
Chessmaster 9000 is a chess game developed by Ubisoft and released in 2002. It's part of the Chessmaster series, which has been around since the 1980s. Chessmaster 9000 was known for its strong chess engine and comprehensive tutorial features, making it popular among both beginners and advanced players. The software also included annotated gam...
Archon: the Light and the Dark
DOS1984 Free Fall Associates
Archon: The Light and the Dark is an abandoned DOS fantasy blend of strategy and action game, developed by Free Fall Associates and published for DOS by Electronic Arts in 1984. Archon and its sequels are a unique mix of chess-like turn-based strategy and arcade action games. Take chess and add the fact that every time two pieces land on the same s...
TV Sports: Basketball
DOS1990freeware Cinemaware
People's General
Windows XP/98/951998protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Space Crusade
DOS1992 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
Tyrian 2000
DOS1999freeware Eclipse Software
Tyrian 2000 is an old DOS science fiction classic shoot'em up, developed by Eclipse Software and designed by Alexander Brandon, Jason Emery, Daniel Cook. Tyrian 2000 is one of the most popular shoot'em ups ever published for DOS and it's still remembered by retro gaming fans to this day.
Master of Magic
DOSWindows XP/98/951994protected SimTex
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 from a small settlement to a bursting empire. To do so, you can produce military units to fight other computer controlled p...
Atomic Bomberman
Windows XP/98/951997 Interplay Productions
SimCity
DOSWindows 3.xWindows XP/98/951989protected Maxis
SimCity (or SimCity Classic) is a popular city building simulation in which you, the mayor of a city, have to build a metropolis from the ground up. You can build police and fire departments, assign industrial, residential or commercial areas, manage power distribution, build ports and airports. Grow your city from village to metropolis and try to ...
Clue Master Detective
DOS1989 Dalali Software
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 (also known as Cluedo). Clue can be played in single player, but the best gaming experience come from the multi-player mode.
It Came from the Desert
DOS1990freeware Cinemaware
It Came from the Desert is an abandonware action-adventure game developed by Cinemaware and released in 1990 for PC (DOS) and Amiga. It Came From the Desert is an action-adventure game with a peculiar flavor: it's set in the 50s, in the USA, and it's based on those old monster movies like Them! (also involving killer ants).
Centurion: Defender of Rome
DOS1990 Bits of magic
Centurion: Defender of Rome is a turn-based strategy game set in ancient Rome times. As a centurion of the Roman Empire, you will fight against the enemies of Rome in real time battles in every corner of Italy and Europe, you'll be a gladiator, race chariots, fight naval battles and more.
Bicycle Bridge
DOS1992
High Command: Europe 1939-45
DOS1992 Colorado Computer Creations
Reunion
DOS1994 Dinamic Multimedia
Sword of Aragon
DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Tempest 2000
DOS1996remake Atari
Tempest 2000 is a video game developed by Llamasoft and published by Atari Corporation. It was released in 1994 for DOS, Mac, the Atari Jaguar console, etc. Tempest 2000 is an enhanced remake of the original Tempest, which was released in arcades in 1981.In Tempest 2000, players control a claw-shaped ship that moves around the edges of geometric sh...
Zoom!
DOS1988
Axis and Allies: Iron Blitz
Windows XP/98/951999 Wargaming West
101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy
Windows XP/98/951998 Empire Interactive
So you think you're ready to storm Normandy? Think again. 101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy drops you into the chaos of World War II with all the grace of a paratrooper landing in a barn. This is a tactical strategy game that rewards patience, planning, and a high tolerance for being outflanked. It’s gritty, detailed, and makes you feel ...