Abandonware DOS title

Top-down perspective sorted by year, newest first

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).
yoda-stories-03

Star Wars: Yoda Stories

Windows XP/98/951997 LucasArts
steel-panthers-3-06

Steel Panthers 3: Brigade Command - 1939-1999

DOS1997protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
super-bomber-blast-02

Super Bomber Blast Beta

DOS1997remake
total-annihilation-03

Total Annihilation

Windows XP/98/951997protected Cavedog Entertainment
vlad-tepes-dracula-02

Vlad Tepes Dracula

Windows XP/98/951997 ComputerHouse
warlords-3-07

Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes

Windows XP/98/951997 SSG Strategic Studies Group
Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes is an abandoned turn-based fantasy strategy game designed by Steve Fawkner, developed by SSG Strategic Studies Group and released by Red Orb Entertainment in 1997 for Windows. Warlords 3: Reign of Heroe...
waterworld-03

Waterworld

DOS1997 Intelligent Games
adom1.1-05

Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) v1.1

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1996freeware
ADOM is what happens when a rogue, a wizard, and a hungry troll walk into a dungeon and never come out. Released in 1996, this roguelike classic is brutal, brilliant, and unapologetically text-heavy. Permadeath is the norm, the st...
aspetra-jrpg-02

Aspetra

DOS1996
Welcome to Aspetra, a 1996 DOS game that tried to cram an epic sci-fi RPG into your beige box PC — and mostly succeeded! Think “Star Trek meets budget constraints.” You explore strange new worlds, meet weirdly sp...
azalta-03

Azalta: Cult of the Raven

DOS1996
Azalta: Cult of the Raven is what happens when a lone developer says, “I can make an RPG better than Ultima!” and sort of does. Released in 1996, this DOS dungeon crawler features deep customization, open-ended quests,...
battlestar-05

Battlestar

Windows 3.x1996freeware
No, not that Battlestar. Battlestar (1996) is more obscure than a reboot that never happened. Set in deep space with a top-down view and UI only a Windows 3.x user could love, it mixes tactical combat and sci-fi storytelling like ...
birthright-win-05

Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance

Windows XP/98/951996 Synergistic Software
Ever wanted to manage a kingdom, lead armies, go dungeon-crawling, and attend budget meetings? Birthright: The Gorgon’s Alliance makes all your fantasy micromanagement dreams come true. Released in 1996 for Windows XP (yes, ...
blood-and-magic-04

Blood & Magic

DOS1996 Tachyon Studios
From the people who brought you Dungeons & Dragons, here's Blood & Magic (1996), the RTS that nobody remembers but definitely deserves a second glance. You summon golems from magical “blood forges” because appa...
cave-wars-01

Cave Wars

DOS1996
civilization2-4

Civilization 2

Windows XP/98/951996 MicroProse Software
Civilization II is a turn-based strategy game developed by MicroProse and released in 1996. It's the second installment in the "Civilization" series, created by Sid Meier. The game builds upon the concept of its predecessor, Civil...
red-alert-6

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

DOS1996freeware Westwood Studios
Command & Conquer: Red Alert is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive in 1996. It is part of the Command & Conquer series and is set in an alternate history...
deathrally-02

Death Rally

DOS1996freeware Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
dogs-of-war-01

Dogs of War

Windows XP/98/951996demo Software Engineering
emperor-fading-suns-04

Emperor of the Fading Suns

Windows XP/98/951996 Holistic Design
exile2-04

Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware Spiderweb Software
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Fantasy General is a hex-based turn-based strategy fantasy wargame. The player can duel either against a computer or a human opponent or even take part in a longer campaign. There are two sides to chose from, one good and one evil...
free-enterprise-07

Free Enterprise

Windows XP/98/951996 Tsunami Media
Dehumanizing offices? Check. Depressing environment? Check. No windows in the whole place? Check. Good, I'm ready to exploit my workers and become great entrepreneur. All of this thanks to Free Enterprise, a simulation for Windows...
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected New World Computing
indy-desktop-adventures-1

Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures

Windows 3.xMac OS1996demo LucasArts
joyous-rebel-01

Joyous Rebel

DOS1996freeware
legendsilvertalisman-1

Legend of the Silver Talisman

DOS1996freeware Inter-Active Arts
lords-of-the-realm-2-02

Lords of the Realm 2

DOSWindows XP/98/95Windows 10/11Mac OS1996protected Impressions Games
Lords of the Realm II is a medieval-themed real-time strategy (RTS) and turn-based strategy game developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra On-Line. Released in 1996, it is the second game in the "Lords of the Realm" s...
opong-splash

O-Pong

DOS1996
over-the-reich-07

Over the Reich

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1996 Big Time Software
seek-and-destroy-06

Seek and Destroy

DOS1996 Safari Software
Seek and Destroy was a shoot'em up published by the well known Epic Megagames in 1996 that tried to change the usual shoot'em up gameplay for the better. Instead of wave after wave of enemies to shoot down, you are given short mis...