The best 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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The Blue & the Gray
DOS1993 wargame
Chessmaster 3000
DOS1991 chess
Ah, Chessmaster 3000. The title alone sounds like it should have lasers and robot arms, but what you get is a thoughtful, elegant chess sim that finally brings charisma to the game. With clean VGA graphics, soothing commentary fro...
X-COM: Ufo Defense
DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
UFO: Enemy Unknown (or X-COM: Ufo Defense) is a sci-fi tactical strategy game created by Julian Gollop set in a not-to-distant future where aliens are invading the Earth. The gameplay switches between tactical combat, where you fi...
Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares
DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected 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 ...
Bicycle Bridge
DOS1992 cards
Ready to get your heart racing with the world’s slowest competitive sport? Bicycle Bridge brings the thrill of bidding, trick-taking, and utter confusion straight to your DOS machine. Whether you're a grandmaster or just som...
Operation Combat: Computer Battle Game
DOS1990 wargame
Ogre
DOS1986 wargame, board game
The Grandest Fleet
DOS1994 wargame
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 th...
Action in the North Atlantic
DOS1989 naval simulation
If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding a WWII convoy while cold, stressed, and staring at a pixelated radar screen, Action in the North Atlantic (1989, DOS) has you covered. It’s part strategy, part simulation, and all t...
Global Conquest
DOS1992 board game
Lords of Midnight: The Citadel
DOS1995 first-person party-based RPG
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo real-time strategy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Released in 1999, it is the second installment in the Age of Empires series and remains one ...
Civilization
DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1991 4x
Sid Meier’s Civilization is the game that tricked an entire generation into loving history, city planning, and the occasional world domination. Starting with a tribe of stick-wielding settlers, you gradually evolve into a nu...
Empire Earth
Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy
Empire Earth is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Stainless Steel Studios and released by Sierra Entertainment in 2001. It's often compared to the "Age of Empires" series due to its similar gameplay mechanics and histor...
Pacific General
Windows XP/98/951997protected wargame, turn-based tactics
Star Fleet 2: Krellan Commander
DOS1989 space exploration, space simulation
Civilization 2
Windows XP/98/951996 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, Civil...
Space Hulk
DOS1993 board game, real-time tactics
Space Hulk is an abandoned real-time tactical strategy game set in the Warhammer 40000 universe, developed and released by Electronic Arts in 1993 for DOS and Amiga systems. In Space Hulk, the player is tasked with wiping ou...
Jagged Alliance 2
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected turn-based tactics
Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based tactical role-playing strategy game developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1999 for Windows. It is the sequel to the original Jagged Alliance and has earned a reputation as one of the best games in...
Age of Wonders
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo turn-based tactics
Mix one part turn-based strategy, one part fantasy novel, add a dash of dragon, and you get Age of Wonders (1999). This is the game where wizards rule, elves sulk in forests, and you get to conquer the world with tactical brillian...
Fantasy General
DOS1996protected 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...
Conquest of the New World (Deluxe Edition)
DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected 4x
Conquest of the New World (Deluxe Edition) invites you to discover new lands, build colonies, and occasionally “accidentally” wipe out entire civilizations while smiling politely. It’s part strategy game, part hi...
Colonization
DOSWindows 3.xLinuxMac OS1994protected 4x
Sid Meier's Colonization is Civilization’s scrappy, historically charged cousin. You start with a tiny ship and a dream: exploit the New World before the other European powers do. Grow crops, trade with natives, rebel agains...
Battle Chess
DOS1988protected board game, chess
You’ve never really lived until you’ve watched a rook pick up a pawn and slam dunk it into the floor. Battle Chess (1988) turns the world’s most intellectual board game into a medieval cage match. The pieces don&...
Mario's Game Gallery
DOSMac OS1995 cards, board game
Twilight 2000
DOS1991 board game, real-time tactics, wargame
War of the Lance
DOS1990protected wargame
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
Windows XP/98/951999protected turn-based tactics
Dune 2000
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
Dune 2000 is an abandoned science fiction classic real-time strategy game based on the popular Dune franchise. The Dune "universe" took form in the books of science fiction writer Frank Herbert and went on to include mov...