Abandonware DOS title

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.
celtic-tales-03

Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye

DOS1995 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. The game combines elements of resource management, political maneuvering, and tactical c...
v4vvelikiye_005

V for victory: Velikiye Luki

DOS1992protected wargame, turn-based tactics
chessmaster-2000-01

The Chessmaster 2000

DOS1986 chess
command-hq-04

Command HQ

DOSMac OS1990 wargame, real-time strategy
Command HQ was developed by Microplay Software. It was one of the early real-time strategy (RTS) games and focused on global warfare, allowing players to control armies, fleets, and economies in various historical and futuristic scenarios.
commandos-beyond-the-call-of-duty-07

Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty

Windows XP/98/951999protected real-time tactics
colonization-6

Colonization

DOSWindows 3.xLinuxMac OS1994protected 4x
Colonization is a turn-based strategy 4x game developed and published by MicroProse in 1994 for DOS, Windows 3.1, Linux and Mac. The setting is the European Colonization of the New World. Colonization gameplay and interface are similar to Civilization, another Sid Meier game. However, there are some differences between Civilization and Colonization...
populos2-4

Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods

DOSMac OS1993protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods is a classic sandbox strategy god game. As the title suggests, its setting is loosely based on ancient Greek mythology, and you play as a deity (hence the "god game" label). Populous 2 is the sequel to the highly acclaimed Populous, designed by Peter Molyneux. It was developed by Bullfrog Productions and publ...
battletechcrescent-8

BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge

DOS1990 real-time tactics
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge is a turn-based strategy game developed by Westwood Associates and published by Infocom in 1990. It is the sequel to "Crescent Hawk's Inception" and is set in the BattleTech universe, a fictional universe where noble houses and mercenary groups vie for power using giant robotic vehicles known as BattleMe...
ascendancy-02

Ascendancy

DOS1995 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.
black-and-white-02

Black & White

Windows XP/98/952001 god game
Black & White is a strategy god simulation video game developed by Lionhead Studios and published by Electronic Arts in 2001 for Microsoft Windows and later for other platforms. In Black & White players take on the role of a deity who must guide and nurture a civilization of worshippers on a series of islands. The central objective of the g...
tank-wars-01

Tank Wars

DOS1990 artillery
myth-fallen-lords-03

Myth: The Fallen Lords

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1997 real-time tactics, real-time strategy
artworks-sp3-03

Strip Poker 3

DOS1991NSFW cards
spacecrusade-splash

Space Crusade

DOS1992 turn-based tactics
kingsbounty-1

King's Bounty

DOSMac OS1990 turn-based tactics
King’s Bounty is a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements, originally released in 1990 by New World Computing. It was created by Jon Van Caneghem, also known for the Might and Magic series. This game is often regarded as the precursor to the Heroes of Might and Magic series, which shares many of its core mechanics and concepts. In Ki...
cannonfodder-4

Cannon Fodder

DOS1994protected real-time tactics
Cannon Fodder, released by Sensible Software in 1993, is a military-themed action game that cleverly blends strategy with real-time tactics. Players control a small squad of soldiers through various missions, facing enemies and obstacles in a top-down perspective. The game's distinctive style is marked by its dark humor and satirical take on war, m...
dark-reign-1-05

Dark Reign: The Future of War

Windows XP/98/951997protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics
warlords-3-07

Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes

Windows XP/98/951997 4x, wargame
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 Heroes is part of the Warlords game series and features quite a few multiplayer modes: from LAN to PBEM.
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS1995 wargame, turn-based tactics
Steel Panthers is the first game in the Steel Panthers series. It was released in 1995 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). This initial release laid the foundation for the series and introduced players to the turn-based tactical wargame experience that would be further developed in subsequent titles. The game focused on armored warfare and featur...
fallout-tactics-04

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

Windows XP/98/952001protecteddemo real-time tactics
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel is a tactical role-playing game published by Interplay Entertainment in 2001. Unlike its predecessors, which were traditional RPGs with turn-based combat, Fallout Tactics took a different approach by focusing more on tactical combat rather than extensive role-playing elements.The game features squad-based comba...
empire-deluxe-07

Empire Deluxe

DOSWindows 3.x1993 turn-based tactics, wargame
Empire Deluxe is a classic turn-based strategy game that was originally released in the early 1990s. Developed by Mark Baldwin and Bob Rakowsky of White Wolf Productions and published by New World Computing, it is a successor to the game Empire, which was created by Walter Bright in the late 1970s. The game is set on a world map, where pl...
dungeon-keeper-02

Dungeon Keeper

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
masteroforion-5

Master of Orion

DOS1993protected 4x
tenshindo-02

Queen of Tenshindo 95

Windows XP/98/951995NSFW cards
monopoly-deluxe-virgin-01

Monopoly Deluxe

DOSWindows 3.x1992 board game
Monopoly Deluxe is an abandoned turn-based top-down Monopoly adaptation  of the classic board game, developed by Parker Brothers and released by Virgin Interactive in 1992. Monopoly Deluxe was published for DOS, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh.
dungeon_keeper_3

Dungeon Keeper 3: War for the Overworld

Windows 10/112000canceled sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Dungeon Keeper 3 was a cancelled dungeon management strategy game being developed by Bullfrog that was never released. Dungeon Keeper 3 was cancelled in 2000 and the Dungeon Keeper franchise ended without a third chapter.
warmiddleearth-1

War in Middle Earth

DOS1989 real-time tactics, real-time strategy
War in Middle-earth is a real-time strategy game developed by Synergistic Software and published by Melbourne House. It was released in 1988 for various platforms including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.The game is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy world of Middle-earth, specifically focusing on the events depicted in "The Lor...
xcom3-09

X-COM: Apocalypse

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected 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...
powermonger-4

Powermonger

DOS1992 god game, real-time strategy
Powermonger is a real-time strategy game where the player must defeat opponents by conquering towns and tipping the balance of power in their favor. Success requires giving orders to soldiers and captains, as well as accumulating enough resources (such as food and equipment) to survive and ultimately win.