Abandonware DOS title

Abandonware strategy games sorted by year, newest first

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.
warheads-04

Warheads

Windows XP/98/9519974.1/5 artillery
warlords-3-07

Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes

Windows XP/98/9519974.3/5 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.
xcom3-09

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...
battlestar-05

Battlestar

Windows 3.x1996freeware3.7/5 board game
birthright-win-05

Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance

Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 board game, kingdom simulation
blood-and-magic-04

Blood & Magic

DOS19963.9/5 real-time strategy
cave-wars-01

Cave Wars

DOS19964.2/5 real-time tactics
chaos-overlord-01

Chaos Overlords

Windows XP/98/95Mac1996protected3/5 board game
civilization2-4

Civilization 2

Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 4x
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, Civilization, and expands on its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and depth.In Civilization II, players take on the role of a le...
red-alert-6

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

DOS1996freeware4/5 real-time strategy
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 where World War II never occurred, leading to a different global conflict.The success of Red Alert led to several seque...
conquestnewworld-1

Conquest of the New World (Deluxe Edition)

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 4x
Conquest of the new world is a turn-based strategy game that lets you control one of 6 different nations in their attempt to colonize the new continent. The gameworld is represented in an isometric point of view. Combat is a mini-game taking place on a battlefield where victory can be achieved by killing enemy troops or capturing the enemy's flag.
deadlock-08

Deadlock: Planetary Conquest

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1996protected4.1/5 4x
dogs-of-war-01

Dogs of War

Windows XP/98/951996demo4.2/5 wargame, board game
emperor-fading-suns-04

Emperor of the Fading Suns

Windows XP/98/9519964.1/5 4x
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected4.2/5 turn-based tactics
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, each with unique and colorful units.
genocide-06

Genocide

DOS1996freeware3.8/5 artillery
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 turn-based tactics
jagged-alliance-deadly-games-09

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

DOS1996protected4.2/5 turn-based tactics
moo2-administratoroffer

Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.3/5 4x
Master of Orion II is a 4X turn-based sci-fi strategy game set in space. Master of Orion 2 gives the player an empire to run by controlling food and production, managing economy and researching new technology. The player can wage war against other races or use spies and diplomacy to achieve victory.
over-the-reich-07

Over the Reich

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x19963.9/5 wargame
starcontrol3_003

Star Control 3

DOS1996protected4/5 shoot 'em up
star-general-combo-02

Star General

Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected4/5 turn-based tactics, wargame
Star General is a turn-based strategy game developed by Catware and published by SSI (Strategic Simulations, Inc.). It was released in 1996 for MS-DOS and later for Windows. The game is set in a science fiction universe where players take command of one of five different factions, each vying for control of the galaxy.In Star General, players comman...
syndicatewars-5

Syndicate Wars

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac1996protected4/5 real-time tactics
Syndicate Wars is the sequel to the much acclaimed Syndicate developed by Bullfrog in its golden years. Like its predecessor, Syndicate Wars is a real-time tactics strategy game set in a cyberpunk dystopian world involving excessive violence, mega-corporations, bleak urban environment. Syndicate Wars also supports a multi-player co-op mode via LAN.
settlers-2-04

The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici

DOSMac1996protected3.9/5 sandbox strategy, real-time strategy, city building
z-03

Z

DOS1996protected4.1/5 real-time strategy
Z is a real-time strategy game developed by The Bitmap Brothers and originally released in 1996 for MS-DOS. It's known for its fast-paced gameplay, humorous style, and distinctive art design.In Z, players control a robot army across various battlefields, aiming to conquer territories and defeat enemy forces. The game features a tongue-in-cheek narr...
4play-01

4Play

Windows 3.x1995NSFW3.9/5 board game
4Play is a multi-player board-like strategy party-game for adults released for Windows 3.1 in 1995. 4Play is a board-game very similar to Monopoly in which players have to perform certain (adult) actions in response to events happening on the board.
advanced-civilization-02

Advanced Civilization

DOS19954/5 board game
ascendancy-02

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.
blackcrown-2

Black Crown

DOS19953.8/5 board game
command-and-conquer-06

Command & Conquer

DOS1995freeware4.1/5 real-time strategy