Abandonware DOS title

The best turn-based tactics games

Turn-based tactical video games are a genre of strategy games where gameplay is divided into turns, during which players take sequential actions with their units or characters. In turn-based tactical games, players typically control a group of units, such as soldiers, heroes, or specialized characters, and navigate them across a grid-based map or environment. Each turn, players can move their units, attack enemies, use special abilities, or perform other actions within the game's mechanics and rules.

The turn-based nature of these games allows players to carefully consider their options and plan their moves strategically, taking into account factors like terrain, unit strengths and weaknesses, and the overall objectives of the game. Typically, the outcome of battles or encounters is determined by a combination of factors such as unit statistics, positioning, and sometimes random chance. Some well-known examples of turn-based tactical games include the XCOM series, Heroes of Might and Magic series, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance. 

starcommand-4

Star Command

DOS1988protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
desert-rats-03

Desert Rats

DOS1986 Cases Computer Simulations
carrier-strike-south-pacific-04

Carrier Strike: South Pacific 1942-44

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
laser-squad-07

Laser Squad

DOS1992 Target Games Limited
Laser Squad is an abandoned turn-based strategy/tactical game designed by Julian Gollop (the mind behind the X-COM series). Laser Squad was developed by Target Games Limited and released by MicroLeague Multimedia in 1992 for DOS a...
metal-marines-01

Metal Marines

Windows 3.x1993 Namco
battle-isle-93-03

Battle Isle 93: The Moon of Chromos

DOS1993 Blue Byte Software
A game with a name like Battle Isle 93: The Moon of Chromos clearly means business. Released in 1993, it’s an expansion-slash-standalone with new missions, harder AI, and an even more hostile moon. You’ll manage resour...
v4victory-4

V for Victory: D-day Utah Beach

DOS1991protected Atomic Games
la-grande-armee-03

La Grande Armee

DOS1991 SDJ Enterprises
a-line-in-the-sand-03

A Line in the Sand

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
A Line in the Sand (1992) is what happens when a board game about modern Middle Eastern warfare gets turned into a DOS strategy title with all the subtlety of a cold war memo. You command military forces in a region that is perpet...
crusade-in-europe-01

Crusade in Europe

DOS1985 MicroProse Software
fantasy-empires-03

Fantasy Empires

DOS1993protected Silicon Knights
full-metal-planete-05

Full Metal Planete

DOSMac OS1990 Hitech Productions
empire2-art-war-05

Empire II: The Art of War

DOSWindows XP/98/951995 White Wolf Productions
decision_gettysburg-02

Decision at Gettysburg

DOS1990 TigLon Software
knights-of-the-desert-03

Knights of the Desert

DOS1983protected Tactical Design Group
tigersinsnow-4

The Battle of the Bulge: Tigers in the Snow

DOS1982protected Tactical Design Group
battle-for-normandy-02

Battle for Normandy

DOS1983protected Tactical Design Group
Released in 1983, Battle for Normandy plays less like a game and more like a history book that came alive, donned a helmet, and asked for a coffee. This is wargaming at its purest: grid maps, unit stats, and more abbreviations tha...
gary-grisby-war-in-russia-08

Gary Grigsby's War in Russia

DOS1993protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
age-of-wonder-2-05

Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne

Windows XP/98/952002protecteddemo Triumph Studios
Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne is a turn-based strategy game developed by Triumph Studios and published by Gathering of Developers. It was released in 2002 as a sequel to the original Age of Wonders. The game is set in a f...
battleisle1-1

Battle Isle

DOS1991protected Blue Byte Software
Turns out war is a lot tidier when it’s turn-based. Battle Isle (1991) gives you neat little hexagons to move your units on, like a very angry board game. It’s got strategy, sci-fi flair, and just enough AI ruthlessnes...
decision_desert-05

Decision in the Desert

DOS1985 MicroProse Software
battleantietam-splash

Battle of Antietam

DOS1985protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Civil War buffs, rejoice. Battle of Antietam (1985) lets you relive one of the bloodiest days in American history... via pixelated dots and turn-based tension. There’s no flash here—just raw, old-school strategy where ...
decker-02

Decker

Windows 10/112002freeware
great-napoleonic-battles-01

Great Napoleonic Battles

DOS1991 Impressions Games
operation-market-garden-01

Operation Market Garden

DOS1985protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
sabre-team-4

Sabre Team

DOS1994protected Krisalis
vulcan-04

Vulcan: The Tunisian Campaign

DOS1988 Cases Computer Simulations
decisive-civil-war-3-10

Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 3

DOS1992 SSG Strategic Studies Group
frontline-v14-01

Frontline

DOS1990 Cases Computer Simulations