Abandonware DOS title

The best turn-based tactics games

Turn-based tactical video games are a genre of strategy games where gameplay is divided into turns, during which players take sequential actions with their units or characters. In turn-based tactical games, players typically control a group of units, such as soldiers, heroes, or specialized characters, and navigate them across a grid-based map or environment. Each turn, players can move their units, attack enemies, use special abilities, or perform other actions within the game's mechanics and rules.

The turn-based nature of these games allows players to carefully consider their options and plan their moves strategically, taking into account factors like terrain, unit strengths and weaknesses, and the overall objectives of the game. Typically, the outcome of battles or encounters is determined by a combination of factors such as unit statistics, positioning, and sometimes random chance. Some well-known examples of turn-based tactical games include the XCOM series, Heroes of Might and Magic series, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance. 

ufo-5

X-COM: Ufo Defense

DOS1994protected MicroProse Software
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 gamep...
age-of-wonders-09

Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo Triumph Studios
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 y...
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected 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 ...
pacific-general-03

Pacific General

Windows XP/98/951997protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
homm3-11

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

Windows XP/98/951999protected New World Computing
jagged-alliance-2-04

Jagged Alliance 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected Sir-tech Software
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 h...
waterloo-02

Waterloo

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
jagged-alliance-deadly-games-09

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

DOS1996protected Sir-tech Software
peoples-general-06

People's General

Windows XP/98/951998protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
conflict-europe-07

Conflict: Europe

DOS1989 Personal Software Services
In Conflict: Europe, the Cold War goes hot, and you’re in charge of keeping things cool—or launching World War III. It’s a strategy game with a doomsday timer, wh...
lempereur-01

L'Empereur

DOS1991 KOEI
spacecrusade-splash

Space Crusade

DOS1992 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
hi-command-03

High Command: Europe 1939-45

DOS1992 Colorado Computer Creations
sword-of-aragon-05

Sword of Aragon

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
renegade-legion-interceptor-01

Renegade Legion Interceptor

DOS1990protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
xcom2-7

X-COM: Terror from the Deep

DOS1995protected MicroProse Software
X-COM: Terror from the Deep (also known as X-COM 2) is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO ...
jagged-alliance-1-10

Jagged Alliance

DOS1994protected Sir-tech Software
joan-of-arc-03

Joan of Arc

DOS1989 Chip
perfectgeneral-splash

The Perfect General

DOS1991 White Wolf Productions
Strategy fans, sharpen your wits: The Perfect General (1991, DOS) marches onto the battlefield with hex-based tactics, satisfyingly crunchy mechanics, and a strict “no button...
ums-2-07

UMS 2: Nations at War

DOSMac OS1990 Intergalactic Development
vvictoryjuno-4

V for victory: Gold-Juno-Sword

DOS1993protected Atomic Games
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected New World Computing
panzer_004

Panzer General

DOS1994protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Panger General is a turn based strategy wargame developed by SSI set in World War 2. The player can choose Axis or Allies and fight against the AI or another human player in more t...
conflict-korea-05

Conflict: Korea

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Step into the Korean War with Conflict: Korea, where you command UN forces and discover that even in strategy games, North Korea is a problem. It follows the same system as the res...
star-general-combo-02

Star General

Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected Catware, Inc.
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 ga...
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS1995 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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...
sorcerer-lord-01

Sorcerer Lord

DOS1987 Personal Software Services
Sorcerer Lord (1987, DOS) drops you into a fantasy world at war, with strategy rather than sorcery as your weapon. You command the forces of good against the evil Shadowlord’...
xcom3-09

X-COM: Apocalypse

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected Mythos Software
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 qu...
conflictvietnam-4

Conflict in Vietnam

DOS1986 MicroProse Software
This one's not for the faint of heart. Conflict in Vietnam tries to simulate the complexity and chaos of guerrilla warfare in a game where every click can cost lives. The graphics ...
gemfire-03

Gemfire

DOS1992 KOEI
If medieval politics, giant fire-breathing monsters, and backstabbing your allies sound fun, then Gemfire will keep you busy. Released in 1992, this Koei strategy game throws you i...