The most popular top down games
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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Raptor: Call of the Shadows
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1994protecteddemo4.1/5 Cygnus Studios
Raptor: Call of the Shadows is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up video game developed by Cygnus Studios and published by Apogee Software. The game was first released in 1994 for MS-DOS and later ported to other platforms. In Raptor, players control a fighter jet through various levels filled with enemy aircraft, ground targets, power-ups and boss...
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation
Windows XP/98/9519993.8/5 MicroProse Software
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 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
Bloodstone: an Epic Dwarven Tale
DOS19934/5 Mindcraft Software
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 Synergistic Software
Mega lo Mania
DOS19924.2/5 Sensible Software
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 ...
Spirit of Excalibur
DOS19903.8/5 Synergistic Software
Mines of Titan
DOS19893.6/5 Westwood Studios
Mines of Titan (also known as Mars Saga for other platforms) is an abandoned single-player RPG with a sci-fi setting (you're going to Mars!). Mines of Titan was developed by Westwood Studios and released by Infocom in 1989 for DOS, Apple II and Commodore 64.
Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle
DOS19934.1/5 Origin Systems
After the well received Ultima 7 The Black Gate, Origin decided that their Ultima engine could be used for one more game. Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle begins right after The Black Gate ends. This time the Avatar travels to a whole new land, far away from the usual Britannia. Serpent Isle brings its own charm to the series; exploring new lands...
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
DOS1993protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Archon: the Light and the Dark
DOS19844.2/5 Free Fall Associates
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...
Sid Meier's Pirates!
DOS1987protected4.1/5 MicroProse Software
Beverly Hills Cop
DOS19903.2/5 Tynesoft Computer Software
The Beverly Hills Cop video game by Tynesoft is an action-adventure game based on the popular film franchise starring Eddie Murphy. It was released in 1990 for various home computer platforms, including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.In the game, players take on the role of Axel Foley, the wise-cracking detective played by Murphy in...
Nobunaga's Ambition 2
DOS19893.8/5 KOEI
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...
Tristan Pinball
DOS19914/5 Littlewing
DND
DOS19844.1/5
SimLife
DOSMac OSWindows 3.x19924/5 Maxis
SimLife is an abandoned simulation game focused on managing a ecosystems and experimenting with genetics. SimLife was designed by Ken Karakotsios, developed and released by Maxis in 1992 for DOS and later also published for Macintosh, Amiga, Windows 3.x and Amiga.
Amberstar
DOS19924/5 Thalion
Amberstar is a fantasy old school RPG very similar to Ultima 6 that uses a top-down view for interiors and small locations and a first person pseudo 3D view for everything else. Unfortunately, the sequel (called Ambermoon) was available for Amiga only and no version existed for DOS or Windows. Amberstar was developed and published by Thalion for DO...
3D Ultra Lionel Traintown
Windows XP/98/9520004/5 Dynamix
Epic Pinball
DOSMac OS1993protected3.7/5 Digital Extremes
Risk: the World Conquest Game
DOS19893.8/5 Mastertronic
Rodent's Revenge
Windows 3.x19914.1/5 Microsoft
A Nightmare on Elm street
DOS19893.9/5 Westwood Studios
Adventure Construction Set
DOS19873.9/5 Electronic Arts
Adventure Construction Set is an abandoned application developed by Stuart Smith and published for DOS, Amiga, Apple II and Commodore 64 by Electronic Arts in 1987. As the name suggests, ACS is a game-building system (we're talking about adventure RPGs) that lets you edit maps, items, creatures, etc. Included with ACS is a complete game called...
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy
DOS19903.9/5 Paragon Software
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) released in 1990. The Zhodani Conspiracy is the first installment in the MegaTraveller series and was developed by Paragon Software.MegaTraveller 1 takes place in the Traveller universe's Third Imperium, a vast interstellar empire. The plot revolves around a c...
Centurion: Defender of Rome
DOS19904.2/5 Bits of magic
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.
Jones in the Fast Lane
DOS19914/5 Sierra On-Line
Jones in the Fast Lane is the kind of game that you don't see often these days. It's a mix between a digital board game and a modern day life simulation. The goal of the game is to live the life of Jones, making choices about school, work, your home, etc. Graphics is a mix of cartonish and digitized characters, very reminishent of some of the best ...
Pinball Illusions
DOS19953.7/5 Digital Illusions
The Magic Candle
DOS19894.1/5 Mindcraft Software
The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...