Top-down perspective sorted by release date
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).
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Super Speed
DOS19953.9/5
The Civil War
DOS19953.5/5 Dagger Interactive Technologies
Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons
DOS19954.1/5 KOEI
Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons is an abandoned simulation game, sequel of Uncharted Waters, developed and released by KOEI in 1995. The Uncharted Waters series is set in the Age of Discovery and gives the player the freedom to set sail with their ship and go wherever you want exploring, fighting, trading, privateering, etc.
Virtual Pool
DOS19954.2/5 Celeris
Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness
DOS1995protected4.2/5 Blizzard Entertainment
Zoop
DOS19953.2/5 Hookstone
Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) v1.1
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1996freeware3.9/5
Aspetra
DOS19963/5
Azalta: Cult of the Raven
DOS19963.9/5
Battlestar
Windows 3.x1996freeware3.8/5
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 Synergistic Software
Blood & Magic
DOS19963.9/5 Tachyon Studios
Cave Wars
DOS19964.2/5
Civilization 2
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 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, Civilization, and expands on its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and depth.In Civilization II, players take on the role of a le...
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
DOS1996freeware4/5 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 where World War II never occurred, leading to a different global conflict.The success of Red Alert led to several seque...
Death Rally
DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
Dogs of War
Windows XP/98/951996demo4.2/5 Software Engineering
Emperor of the Fading Suns
Windows XP/98/9519964.1/5 Holistic Design
Exile II: Crystal Souls
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Fantasy General
DOS1996protected4.2/5 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, each with unique and colorful units.
Free Enterprise
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 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 by Tsunami Media, published in 1996.
Heroes of Might and Magic II
DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 New World Computing
Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures
Windows 3.xMac OS1996demo4.1/5 LucasArts
Joyous Rebel
DOS1996freeware4.1/5
Legend of the Silver Talisman
DOS1996freeware3.9/5 Inter-Active Arts
Lords of the Realm 2
DOSWindows XP/98/95WindowsMac OS1996protected4.2/5 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" series. Players manage their kingdom by balancing resources such as food, weapons, and gold, engaging in diplomacy w...
O-Pong
DOS19963.1/5
Over the Reich
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x19963.9/5 Big Time Software
Seek and Destroy
DOS19964.2/5 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 missions to accomplish with your helicopter or your tank (yes, you can choose). At first, missions could seem a bit repetit...
Sensible World of Soccer 96/97
DOS1996protected3.7/5 Sensible Software