Abandonware DOS title

The most popular 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. 

Most popular turn-based tactics games

Star General
strategyWindows XP/98/95, DOS
Jagged Alliance 2
strategyWindows XP/98/95, Linux, Mac
X-COM: Ufo Defense
strategyDOS
star-general-combo-02

Star General

Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected4/5 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 game is set in a science fiction universe where players take command of one of five different factions, each vying for control of the galaxy.In Star General, players comman...
jagged-alliance-2-04

Jagged Alliance 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac1999protected4.3/5 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 has earned a reputation as one of the best games in the turn-based strategy genre.Set in the fictional country of Arulco, Jagged Alliance 2 presents players with the task ...
ufo-5

X-COM: Ufo Defense

DOS1994protected4.3/5 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 gameplay switches between tactical combat, where you fight aliens in a turn-based fashion, and strategic micromanagement, where you manage your X-COM base and personnel.
homm3-11

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

Windows XP/98/951999protected4.2/5 New World Computing
101-invasion-normandy-05

101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy

Windows XP/98/9519984.2/5 Empire Interactive
laser-squad-07

Laser Squad

DOS19923.9/5 Target Games Limited
Laser Squad is an abandoned turn-based strategy/tactical game designed by Julian Gollop (the mind behind the X-COM series). Laser Squad was developed by Target Games Limited and released by MicroLeague Multimedia in 1992 for DOS and other 8-bit systems. Laser Squad is considered as a precursor of X-COM: Ufo Defense.
decisive-civil-war-2-08

Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 2

DOS19893.9/5 SSG Strategic Studies Group
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 New World Computing
panzer_004

Panzer General

DOS1994protected4.2/5 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 than 30 scenarios on a classic hex based map.
panzerl-general-2-08

Panzer General 2

Windows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
age-of-wonders-09

Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo4.2/5 Triumph Studios
heroesmightmagic1-6

Heroes of Might and Magic

DOSWindows XP/98/951995protected4.2/5 New World Computing
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS19954.2/5 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 and introduced players to the turn-based tactical wargame experience that would be further developed in subsequent titles. The game focused on armored warfare and featur...
starcommand-4

Star Command

DOS1988protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
kingsbounty-1

King's Bounty

DOSMac19903.9/5 New World Computing
spacecrusade-1

Space Crusade

DOS19924.2/5 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
roadwar2000-3

Roadwar 2000

DOS1987protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
nectaris-5

Nectaris

DOS19954/5 Hudson soft
conflictvietnam-4

Conflict in Vietnam

DOS19864.2/5 MicroProse Software
xcom2-7

X-COM: Terror from the Deep

DOS1995protected4.1/5 MicroProse Software
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game, the sequel of one of the most popular DOS games in history X-COM Ufo Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Stephen Gross (the X-COM original being designed by Julian Gollop) and was published by MicroProse Software back in 1995. Terror from the deep doesn't change ...
age-of-wonder-2-05

Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne

Windows XP/98/952002protecteddemo4.1/5 Triumph Studios
Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne is a turn-based strategy game developed by Triumph Studios and published by Gathering of Developers. It was released in 2002 as a sequel to the original Age of Wonders. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of a leader, either as a wizard or a warlord, and compete for control of the...
xcom3-09

X-COM: Apocalypse

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 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 quite different under many aspects, from gameplay to aesthetics. X-COM Apocalypse was designed by Julian Gollop (the same designer that brought the original X-COM to l...
gary-grisby-war-in-russia-08

Gary Grigsby's War in Russia

DOS1993protected3.7/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
decision_desert-05

Decision in the Desert

DOS19853.8/5 MicroProse Software
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected4.2/5 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 are two sides to chose from, one good and one evil, each with unique and colorful units.
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Battle Isle

DOS1991protected3.7/5 Blue Byte Software
clash-of-steel-07

Clash of Steel

DOS1993protected3.9/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
ums-1

UMS: The Universal Military Simulator

DOSMac19884.1/5 Intergalactic Development
UMS, short for Universal Military Simulator, is a computer-based wargame simulation developed by Rainbird Software in 1988. It was designed with the intention of providing players with a comprehensive and realistic military simulation experience.The game allows players to engage in strategic and tactical warfare across various scenarios and battlef...
lempereur-02

L'Empereur

DOS19914.2/5 KOEI
operation-market-garden-01

Operation Market Garden

DOS1985protected3.7/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.