The most popular abandonware strategy games
Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.
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Ascendancy
DOS19954.2/5 4x
Ascendancy is a science fiction themed turn-based strategy game developed by The Logic Factory and released in 1995 for DOS. Ascendancy is a classic 4X game (eXpand, eXplore, eXploit, eXterminate), similar to Master of Orion, yet with a few differences such as a technology tree.
Scorched Earth
DOS1991protected4/5 artillery
Alpha Centauri
Windows XP/98/951999protected4/5 4x
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
DOS19893.9/5
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation
Windows XP/98/9519993.8/5 4x
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation is a turn-based strategy video game set in the Star Trek universe. The game was developed by MicroProse Software and published by Infogrames for Windows in 1999. Players take on the role of one of five major Star Trek races: the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Star Empire, the Ca...
Space Crusade
DOS19924.2/5 turn-based tactics
Warlords 2
DOS19934.1/5 4x
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 board game, kingdom simulation
Queen of Tenshindo 95
Windows XP/98/951995NSFW3.9/5 cards
Mega lo Mania
DOS19924.2/5 god game, real-time strategy
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 ...
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
DOS1995protected4.1/5 turn-based tactics
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Stephen Goss (the original X-COM was designed by Julian Gollop) and was published by MicroProse Software in 1995. Terror from the Deep doesn't change the...
Archon: the Light and the Dark
DOS19844.2/5 board game
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...
Nobunaga's Ambition 2
DOS19893.8/5
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye
DOS19954.3/5 kingdom simulation
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye is a strategy video game developed by KOEI and released in 1995. It is set in a mythical version of ancient Ireland and draws heavily from Celtic mythology, particularly focusing on the legendary figure Balor of the Evil Eye. Players take on the role of a clan leader, managing their tribe's resources, engagi...
Cossacks: European Wars
Windows XP/98/952000protected4/5 real-time strategy, real-time tactics
Cossacks: European Wars is a real-time strategy game developed by GSC Game World and released in 2001. The game is set in the 17th and 18th centuries, a period marked by significant military, political, and social changes in Europe. Players can choose from 16 different European nations, each with unique units and buildings. The gamep...
Tank Wars
DOS19904.1/5 artillery
Risk: the World Conquest Game
DOS19893.8/5 board game
StarCraft
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1998protecteddemo4.1/5 real-time strategy
StarCraft is a classic RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released in 1998 for Windows and Macintosh. StarCraft takes the Warcraft experience to a sci-fi setting with an interesting story, three very different races (the militaristic Humans, the alien Zerg and the religious Protoss) and one of the best gameplay ex...
Strip Poker: A Sizzling Game of Chance
DOS1985NSFW3.9/5 cards
The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici
DOSMac OS1996protected3.9/5 sandbox strategy, real-time strategy, city building
X-COM: Apocalypse
DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 turn-based tactics
X-COM: Apocalypse is the third installment of the very popular X-COM franchise. After X-COM: Ufo Defence and Terror From the Deep, fans expected another smash hit. Apocalypse is quite different under many aspects, from gameplay to aesthetics. X-COM Apocalypse was designed by Julian Gollop (the same designer that brought the original X-COM to l...
Centurion: Defender of Rome
DOS19904.2/5 4x
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.
Blood & Magic
DOS19963.9/5 real-time strategy
Civilization II: Test of Time
Windows XP/98/951999remake4.2/5 4x
Civilization II: Test of Time is an abandoned turn-based strategy game developed by Atari and released by MicroProse Software in 1999 for Windows. Civilization II: Test of Time is a remake of the cult classic Civilization 2, without the involvement of Sid Meier (the creator of the Civilization franchise). Test of Time includes fantasy and science f...
Populous: The Beginning
Windows XP/98/951998protected4.1/5 god game, sandbox strategy, real-time strategy
Nuclear War
DOS19894/5 board game
Nuclear War is an abandoned turn-based strategy game designed by Eric Hyman and Jon Van Caneghem. Nuclear War was developed and released by New World Computing in 1989 for Amiga and, later, for DOS, and it's loosely based on a card game of the same name. Nuclear War took a satirical approach to the grim possibility of a global nuclear war and succe...
V for victory: Market-Garden
DOS1993protected4.2/5 wargame, turn-based tactics
Advanced Civilization
DOS19954/5 board game
Star Saga: One - Beyond the Boundary
DOS19873.6/5 board game
People's General
Windows XP/98/951998protected4.2/5 wargame, turn-based tactics