Abandonware DOS title

The most popular action RPG games

ARPG games (the acronym stands for Action Role-Playing Game) borrow gameplay elements from the action genre and mix them with real-time gameplay still retaining core RPG concepts that makes a CRPG (Computer Role-Playing Game) what it is. Combat is often dependent on the players' own reflexes while combat tactics usually play a minor role.
daggerfall-01

The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall

DOS1996freeware Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall is an old school first-person 3D RPG developed by Bethesda Softworks and released in 1996 for DOS. Daggerfall is the second chapter in popular The Elder Scrolls series. The open world gameplay, the procedural generation of dungeons and the freedom of exploring and taking on the quests at your own pace are some of the...
elderscrollsarena-8

The Elder Scrolls: Arena

DOS1994freeware Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls: Arena is the first installment in the highly acclaimed Elder Scrolls series of fantasy ARPG (action role-playing games), developed and published by Bethesda Softworks. It was initially released in 1994. Arena is set in the continent of Tamriel, which later becomes the central location for all the Elder Scrolls games (Skyrim,...
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The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Windows XP/98/952002protected Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a critically acclaimed open-world action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It was released in 2002 and is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind.The game offers a vast a...
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Diablo

Windows XP/98/951996protecteddemo Blizzard Entertainment
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Anachronox

Windows XP/98/952001protected Ion Storm
Anachronox is a 2001 role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive with a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired setting. The game was written and directed by Tom Hall, one of the original developers behind Doom and Quake. The story of Anachronox takes place in a galaxy where technology and magic coexist. The game&r...
moonstone-5

Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight

DOS1992 Mindscape
Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight is an action-RPG and strategy game developed by Rob Anderson and published by Mindscape in 1991 for the Amiga and later for MS-DOS. The game is famous for its combination of strategic, RPG elements with fast-paced, brutal action combat, as well as its dark medieval fantasy setting. Up to four players can take turn...
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Autoduel

DOS1985 Origin Systems
Autoduel is an abandoned top-down open world post apocalyptic RPG/driving game hybrid designed by Chuck Bueche and Richard Garriott of Ultima fame. Autoduel was developed by Origin Systems and was released in 1985 for DOS, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, C64, Apple II, Macintosh, Amiga. Autoduel is based on a board game designed by Steve Jackson himself.
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Ultima 9: Ascension

Windows XP/98/951999protected Origin Systems
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Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss

DOS1992protected Blue Sky Productions
Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss is one of the first free-roaming first-person 3D ARPG (action RPG) ever created. The Stygian Abyss is the dungeon of the same name, part of the land of Britannia, and it's set in the Ultima universe created by Richard Garriott. Ultima Underworld was designed by Paul Neurath, developed by Blue Sky Productions and...
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Conan: the Cimmerian

DOS1991 Synergistic Software
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Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse

DOS1994protected Cyberlore studios
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Sorcerian

DOS1990 Nihon Falcom
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Nox

Windows XP/98/95Mac OS2000protected Westwood Studios
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Legends of Valour

DOS1992 Syntetic Dimensions
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Prophecy: the Fall of Trinadon

DOS1989 Activision
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Ultima 8: The Lost Vale

DOS1994canceled Origin Systems
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Ys: The Vanished Omens

DOS1989 Nihon Falcom
Ys: The Vanished Omens (also known as The Ancient Land of Ys) is an abandoned top-down open-world action RPG designed by Masaya Hashimoto, developed by Nihon Falcom and released by Kyodai Software Marketing for DOS in 1989. Ys: The Vanished Omens was published (earlier) for quite a few other home computers and console.
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An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire

Windows XP/98/951997protected Bethesda Softworks
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Times of Lore

DOS1989 Origin Systems
Times of Lore is an abandoned action RPG designed by Chris Roberts, developed and released by Origin Systems in 1989 for DOS and many more 8 bit and 16 bit platforms. Compared to Ultima (the much more popular franchise also by Origin) Times of Lore is a washed down RPG, more similar to a NES game. In fact, Roberts was inspired by The Legend of Zelda.
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Deus Ex

DOSMac OS2000protecteddemo Ion Storm
Deus Ex is a critically acclaimed action role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive. It was released in 2000 and was designed by Warren Spector, combining elements of first-person shooters, stealth games, and role-playing games. The game is set in a dystopian future where society is fraught with conspiracy the...
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Amulets & Armor

DOS1997freeware United Software Artists
Amulets & Armor is a first-person ARPG (action RPG) with a fantasy setting. It was developed and published as shareware for DOS by United Software Artists in 1997. Amulets & Armor became freeware in 2013. Gameplay is mission-based; the player can take up quests in any order and even complete the same quests over and over.
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Ultima 8: Pagan

DOSMac OS1994protected Origin Systems
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System Shock 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected Irrational Games
System Shock 2 is a first-person action role-playing video game developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios. It was released in 1999 and is known for its innovative gameplay, atmospheric setting, and deep narrative.The game is set in a futuristic cyberpunk universe aboard the starship Von Braun in the year 2114. Players assume the role ...
dinksmallwodhd-3

Dink Smallwood

Windows XP/98/951998freeware Robinson Technologies
Dink Smallwood is an action role-playing video game developed by Robinson Technologies. It was first released in 1997 for Windows and later became freeware. The game was created by Seth Robinson, and it gained a cult following for its humor.The game's plot revolves around the titular character, Dink Smallwood, a pig farmer who embarks on an epic ad...
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Divine Divinity

Windows 10/11Mac OS2002protected Larian Studios
Divine Divinity is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Larian Studios and released in 2002. It's the first game in the Divinity series, which has since expanded with several sequels and spin-offs. The game is set in a fantasy world called Rivellon, which is threatened by the rise of an evil force known as the Black Ring. Players take on the role...
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System Shock

DOS1994protected Looking Glass Studios
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God of Thunder

DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware Adept Software
God of Thunder is a classic computer game developed by Adept Software and released in 1993. It's a puzzle platformer with a fantasy theme. In the game, you control Thor, the Norse god of thunder, on a quest to save Midgard (Earth) from the evil god Loki and his minions.The gameplay involves navigating through various levels filled with obstacles, e...
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Windwalker (Moebius 2)

DOS1989 Origin Systems
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X-Men 2: The Fall of the Mutants

DOS1991 Paragon Software
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Fairy Tale Adventure 2: Halls of the Dead

DOSWindows XP/98/951997 The Dreamers Guild