Abandonware DOS title

The most popular 4x games

4x stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate. Players of these games control a whole empire by managing resources and technical developments (eXploit), expanding their domains (eXplore and eXpand), and fighting against the computer or other players (eXterminate). Among the most popular 4x games are Civilization and Master of Orion.

Most popular 4x games

Civilization
strategyDOS, Windows 3.x
Civilization 2
strategyWindows XP/98/95
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation
strategyWindows XP/98/95

4x games

  • civ1-7
    DOSWindows 3.x19914.2/5 MicroProse Software

    Civilization is the critically acclaimed strategy game designed by Sid Meier and Bruce Campbell Shelley that became a staple in 4X turn-based strategy. Civilization was developed by MicroProse Software and released in 1991 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Amiga, Atari ST, Mac, etc. Civilization was followed by sequels, the last one being published recently. T...

  • civilization2-4
    Windows XP/98/9519964.3/5 MicroProse Software

    Civilization 2, later renamed Sid Meier's Civilization II, is a turn based 4X strategy game developed and published by MicroProse in 1996. The gameplay is similar to the first Civilization, many aspects were improved and new features were introduced: a new isometric perspective, hit points for units, new civilizations, new wonders of the world and ...

  • birth-of-the-federation-05
    Windows XP/98/9519994/5 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...

  • imperium-3
    DOS19903.8/5 Electronic Arts
  • masteroforion-5
    DOS1993protected4.1/5 SimTex
  • warlords-3-07
    Windows XP/98/9519974.3/5 SSG Strategic Studies Group

    Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes is an abandoned turn-based fantasy strategy game designed by Steve Fawkner, developed by SSG Strategic Studies Group and released by Red Orb Entertainment in 1997 for Windows. Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes is part of the Warlords game series and features quite a few multiplayer modes: from LAN to PBEM.

  • warlords2-4
    DOS19934.1/5 SSG Strategic Studies Group
  • ascendancy-02
    DOS19954.1/5 The Logic Factory

    Ascendancy is a science fiction themed turn-based strategy game developed by The Logic Factory and released in 1995 for DOS. Ascendancy is a classic 4X game (eXpand, eXplore, eXploit, eXterminate), similar to Master of Orion, yet with a few differences such as a technology tree.

  • moo3-07
    Windows XP/98/95Mac2003protected4.3/5 Quicksilver Software
  • moo2-administratoroffer
    DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.3/5 SimTex

    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 war against other races or use spies and diplomacy to achieve victory.

  • colonization-6
    DOSWindows 3.xLinuxMac1994protected4.3/5 MicroProse Software

    Colonization is a turn-based strategy 4x game developed and published by MicroProse in 1994 for DOS, Windows 3.1, Linux and Mac. The setting is the European Colonization of the New World. Colonization gameplay and interface are similar to Civilization, another Sid Meier game. However, there are some differences between Civilization and Colonization...

  • iron-seed-02
    DOS1994freeware3.8/5
  • emperor-fading-suns-04
    Windows XP/98/9519964/5 Holistic Design
  • alien-legacy-2
    DOS19944/5 Ybarra Productions
  • centurion-7
    DOS19904.1/5 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.

  • deadlock-08
    Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1996protected4.2/5 Accolade
  • conquestnewworld-1
    DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 Quicksilver Software

    Conquest of the new world is a turn-based strategy game that lets you control one of 6 different nations in their attempt to colonize the new continent. The gameworld is represented in an isometric point of view. Combat is a mini-game taking place on a battlefield where victory can be achieved by killing enemy troops or capturing the enemy's flag.

  • stellarcrusade-1
    DOS1988protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
  • anacreon-1
    DOS1987freeware3.9/5 Thinking Machine Associates

    Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 is one of the first 4x turn-based strategy games, ASCII based. Anacreon is set in space, as most 4x sci-fi games are, and was published by Thinking Machines Associates and designed by George Moromisato who later re-released the game as freeware.

  • civ2-test-of-time-02
    Windows XP/98/951999remake4.4/5 Atari

    Civilization II: Test of Time is an abandoned turn-based strategy game developed by Atari and released by MicroProse Software in 1999 for Windows. Civilization II: Test of Time is a remake of the cult classic Civilization 2, without the involvement of Sid Meier (the creator of the Civilization franchise). Test of Time includes fantasy and science f...

  • spaceward-ho03
    Windows 3.xDOS19924/5 Delta Tao Software
  • warlords-1-3
    DOS19904.2/5 SSG Strategic Studies Group
  • sword-of-aragon-05
    DOS1989protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
  • sid-alpha-centauri-5
    Windows XP/98/951999protected4/5 Firaxis Games
  • masterofmagic-6
    DOSWindows XP/98/951994protected4.2/5 SimTex

    Master of Magic is a turn based 4x strategy game developed by SimTex and published by the well know Microprose, very similar to Civilization, with a fantasy twist. You play as a wizard and your objective is to evolve your race from a small settlement to a bursting empire. To do so, you can produce military units to fight other computer controlled p...

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