Sandbox strategy games
There's something magical in sandbox strategy games. You can do literally what you want without the typical constraints of games that tell you what to do. SimCity is the perfect example: play at your own pace, set your own goals and just play. On Abandonware DOS games are listed as sandbox even if the sandbox gameplay is just a small part of the whole (i.e. "play in sandbox mode").
Most popular sandbox strategy games
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Caesar
DOS1992 Impressions Games
Caesar 2
DOS1995 Impressions Games
Caesar 3
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1998protected Impressions Games
Cultures
Windows XP/98/952000protected Funatics Software
Dungeon Keeper
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected Electronic Arts
Dungeon Keeper 2
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected Bullfrog
Dungeon Keeper 3: War for the Overworld
Windows 10/112000canceled Bullfrog
Dungeon Keeper 3 was a cancelled dungeon management strategy game being developed by Bullfrog that was never released. Dungeon Keeper 3 was cancelled in 2000 and the Dungeon Keeper franchise ended without a third chapter.
Holiday Island
Windows 3.x1996 Sunflowers Interactive Entertainment Software
Lincity NG
Windows 10/11LinuxMac OS2005freeware
Lincity-NG is an open-source city simulation game and a continuation of the original Lincity game. The "NG" stands for "New Generation." The game is designed to be a city-building and management simulation where players take on the role of a city manager and must balance various factors such as population growth, resource management, environmental ...
Pharaoh
Windows XP/98/951999protected Impressions Games
Pharaoh is a city-building strategy game released in 1999 by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Studios. It is set in ancient Egypt and is heavily inspired by Caesar III, another game by the same developer. Pharaoh focuses on constructing and managing cities while dealing with economic, military, and religious aspects. You play as a cit...
Populous
DOS1989 Bullfrog
Populous is an abandoned strategy game designed by the video game celebrity Peter Molyneux, developed by Bullfrog. Populous was released by Electronic Arts in 1989 for DOS and for a long list of other 16-bit and 8-bit systems, both console and PCs. Populos is a really unique game: it gave the name to the the whole god-game genre since, well, in the...
Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods
DOSMac OS1993protected Bullfrog
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 the sequel to the highly acclaimed Populous, designed by Peter Molyneux. It was developed by Bullfrog Productions and publ...
Populous: The Beginning
Windows XP/98/951998protected Bullfrog
Roller Coaster Tycoon
Windows XP/98/951999protected Chris Sawyer Productions
Roller Coaster Tycoon 2
Windows XP/98/952002protected Chris Sawyer Productions
Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 is a simulation game developed by Chris Sawyer Productions and published by Infogrames. It was released in 2002 as the sequel to the original classic Roller Coaster Tycoon. In Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 players take on the role of an amusement park manager and are tasked with designing, building, and managing their own th...
Sid Meier's SimGolf
Windows XP/98/952002 Firaxis Games
Sid Meier's SimGolf is a golf simulation video game developed by Firaxis Games and published by Electronic Arts under the design direction of Sid Meier. It was released in 2002 for Microsoft Windows.In Sid Meier's SimGolf, players take on the role of a golf course designer and manager. The game combines elements of city-building and simulation with...
SimCity
DOSWindows 3.xWindows XP/98/951989protected Maxis
SimCity (or SimCity Classic) is a popular city building simulation in which you, the mayor of a city, have to build a metropolis from the ground up. You can build police and fire departments, assign industrial, residential or commercial areas, manage power distribution, build ports and airports. Grow your city from village to metropolis and try to ...
SimCity 2000
DOSWindows 3.xWindows XP/98/951993protected Maxis
SimCity 2000 is a classic city building simulation, part of the popular SimCity series, developed by Maxis and designed by Will Wright. SimCity 2000 is a huge step up from the 2D predecessor SimCity and boasts improvements like: isometric view, underground, water pipes, subways, new buildings like prisons, schools, libraries, museums, etc.
SimCity 3000
Windows XP/98/951999protected Maxis
SimCity 3000 is a city-building simulation game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in 1999 as the third major installment in the SimCity series, following SimCity 2000.In SimCity 3000, players take on the role of mayor and are tasked with building and managing a city from the ground up. The game offers more detaile...
SimEarth
DOSWindows 3.x1990 Maxis
SimEarth is a simulation in which you can shape and mold a planet in almost every way you can imagine. In SimEarth our planet is simulated as a whole: life, climate, atmosphere are all aspects of a single Gaia-like Earth. SimEarth can be played in two modes: game and experimental. In game mode, you have to to develop (and preserve) Earth with limit...
SimLife
DOSMac OSWindows 3.x1992 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.
SimTower
Windows 3.x1994 OPeNBooK Co.
SimTower is an old Windows 3.x (1994) building and business simulation game where the player is tasked with the management of a skyscraper nonetheless. Raise floors, build apartments, shops, offices and try to avoid bankruptcy if you can. SimTower spawned some similar games for mobile devices, most notably the wonderful Tiny Tower, It's surprisingl...
The Settlers
DOS1993protected Blue Byte Software
The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici
DOSMac OS1996protected Blue Byte Software
Transport Tycoon
DOS1994 Chris Sawyer Productions
Transport Tycoon is a business simulation game that puts the player at the head of a transport company to compete against rival companies. The player can build stations, airports, railroads to transport passengers, mail and various goods using trucks, trains and planes. The game became a cult and a few talented fans created some of the best remakes...
Transport Tycoon Deluxe
DOSWindows XP/98/951995 Chris Sawyer Productions
Transport Tycoon Deluxe is a business simulation game where players take control of a transport company, competing against rivals. Players can build stations, airports, and railroads to transport passengers, mail, and various goods using trucks, trains, and planes. The game gained a cult following, inspiring talented fans to create impressive remak...
Yoot Tower
Windows XP/98/951999 OPeNBooK Co.
Zeus: Master of Olympus
Windows XP/98/952000protected Impressions Games
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