Top-down view party-based RPGs sorted by release date
Party-based role-playing games with a top-down perspective were among the first CRPGs to capture the attention of pen-and-paper RPG fans. The top-down view is ideal for evoking the feeling of looking at a map and is perfect for showcasing each party member in turn-based combat. Among the most fondly remembered top-down CRPGs from the golden age of gaming are those designed by the legendary Richard Garriott, such as the Ultima series. Other classics, like The Magic Candle, Dark Sun, and Wasteland, are also worth mentioning.
Most popular top-down party-based RPG games
rpgWindows XP/98/95, Mac OS, Windows 3.x
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Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress
DOS19834/5 Origin Systems
The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.
Ultima 3: Exodus
DOSMac OS19854.2/5 Origin Systems
Ultima III: Exodus is a role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and published by Origin Systems. It was released in 1983 for the Apple II and later ported to various other platforms such as the Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and NES.The game is set in the fantasy world of Sosaria, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to ...
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar
DOS1985freeware4.1/5 Origin Systems
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is one of the most influential and innovative role-playing games (RPGs) in video game history. Released in 1985 by Richard Garriott under the Origin Systems banner, it is the fourth installment of the Ultima series and marked a significant shift in the genre of RPGs at the time. Unlike previous RPGs which revolve...
Phantasie 1
DOS1987protected3.9/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus
DOS19874.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness
DOS19874.1/5 Origin Systems
Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness is a seminal role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and released by California Pacific Computer Company in 1981. It is the first game in the long-running and influential Ultima series. Initially released for the Apple II, it was later ported to various platforms including DOS, Commodore 64, At...
Scavengers of the Mutant World
DOS19883.9/5 Interstel Corporation
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny
DOS19884.1/5 Origin Systems
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny is a role-playing video game developed and published by Origin Systems in 1988. It is the fifth installment in the highly influential Ultima series, created by Richard Garriott. Initially released for the Apple II and Commodore 64, it was later ported to DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, and other platforms. The story pi...
Wasteland
DOS1988protected3.9/5 Interplay Productions
Demon's Winter
DOS1989protected3.8/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Dungeons of Kairn
DOS19893.6/5
The Dark Heart of Uukrul
DOS19893.9/5 Digital Studios Limited
The Magic Candle
DOS19894.1/5 Mindcraft Software
The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...
Fountain of Dreams
DOS19904.1/5 Electronic Arts
Hard Nova
DOS19903.7/5 Malibu Interactive
Hard Nova is a sci-fi role-playing game (RPG) developed by Malibu Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. Released in 1990, it is available on platforms such as the DOS, Amiga, Atari ST. Hard Nova is set in a distant future where players navigate through various star systems. The player takes on the role of a mercenary leader in charge of a s...
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I
DOS19904/5 Interplay Productions
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings I was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1990. The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I is based on the popular The Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tolkien and it's focused on the f...
Keys to Maramon
DOS19903.9/5 Mindcraft Software
Keys to Maramon is a role-playing game developed by Mindcraft Software and released in 1990 for the Amiga, MS-DOS, and Commodore 64 platforms. The game is set in the same universe as the "Magic Candle" series, another popular RPG series by Mindcraft. The game is set in the fantasy town of Maramon, where the player must protect the town from waves o...
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy
DOS19903.9/5 Paragon Software
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) released in 1990. The Zhodani Conspiracy is the first installment in the MegaTraveller series and was developed by Paragon Software.MegaTraveller 1 takes place in the Traveller universe's Third Imperium, a vast interstellar empire. The plot revolves around a c...
Space 1889
DOS19903.6/5 Paragon Software
Space 1889 is an abandoned top down RPG developed by Paragon Software and released in 1990 for DOS, Atari ST and Amiga. Space 1889 setting is classic science fiction, but is set in the Victorian. It's worth noting that Space 1889 is loosely based on the tabletop game of the same name.
Tunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan
DOS19904.1/5 New World Computing
Ultima 6: The False Prophet
DOS1990protected4.2/5 Origin Systems
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire
DOS1990freeware4/5 Origin Systems
After the success of Ultima 6: The False Prophet, Origin decided to "create worlds" not part of the popular Ultima series (strictly speaking) using the same engine of Ultima 6. They came up with two games: The Savage Empire and Martian Dreams. The Savage Empire is set in a stone age-like world and features prehistoric tribes, dinosaurs, insectoid a...
Dragonflight
DOS19913.6/5 Thalion
MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients
DOS19913.7/5 Paragon Software
MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients is the sequel to MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy. It is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) released in 1991, developed by Paragon Software. Like its predecessor, MegaTraveller 2 is set in the expansive Traveller universe.In MegaTraveller 2, players continue their journey in the Third Imperium, ...
Planet's Edge
DOS1991protected4/5 New World Computing
The Magic Candle 2: The Four and Forty
DOS19913.8/5 Mindcraft Software
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams
DOS19914/5 Origin Systems
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams is an abandoned science fiction RPG designed by Jeff George, developed by Origin Systems and released in 1991 for DOS. Martian Dreams uses the Ultima VI engine to depict Mars in a top down perspective.
Amberstar
DOS19924/5 Thalion
Amberstar is a fantasy old school RPG very similar to Ultima 6 that uses a top-down view for interiors and small locations and a first person pseudo 3D view for everything else. Unfortunately, the sequel (called Ambermoon) was available for Amiga only and no version existed for DOS or Windows. Amberstar was developed and published by Thalion for DO...
Challenge of the Five Realms
DOS1992protected3.8/5 MicroProse Software
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers
DOS19924/5 Interplay Productions
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is an abandoned fantasy top-down DOS RPG game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The Lord of the Rings II was developed and released by Interplay Productions in 1992. The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers is based on the popular The Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tol...
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