The best grid-based movement games
Grid-based movement in video games refers to a movement system where characters or objects can only move along a predefined grid or set of discrete positions. The game world is divided into a grid, composed of squares or tiles, and the movement is typically restricted to the cardinal directions (up, down, left, and right).
Grid-based movement has been widely used in various types of games, including turn-based strategy games, role-playing games (RPGs), and tactical games. This movement system allows for precise positioning and strategic planning, as the player must consider the grid layout and plan their movements accordingly.
One of the advantages of grid-based movement is that it simplifies navigation and collision detection, as the game engine can easily determine valid movement paths and detect collisions with other objects on the grid.
Most popular grid-based movement games
strategyDOS, Windows 3.x, Mac OS
strategyWindows XP/98/95
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TomeNET
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS2001freeware4.4/5
TomeNET (Troubles of Middle Earth, Net) is an online, multiplayer rogue-like game set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. It’s a persistent-world game inspired by Angband, a single-player dungeon-crawler based on Tolkien lore. You can play as familiar fantasy races like Elves, Dwarves, Humans, or Hobbits, as well as more obscu...
ZAngband
Windows 10/11Mac OSDOSLinux1999freeware4.3/5
Zangband is a variant of the popular roguelike game Angband. Zangband, short for Zelazny Angband, was developed by Chris Weisiger and first released in 1994. The game features a fantasy world with diverse races, classes, and monsters. Players explore dungeons, caves, and other environments in a quest to reach the bottom level of the dungeon, d...
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.
Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon
DOS1991protecteddemo4.3/5 Westwood Studios
Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon is a first-person party-based role-playing game (RPG) developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). It was released in 1991 as a sequel to the successful "Eye of the Beholder" game.Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, specifically the Forgotten Realms ...
Eye of the Beholder
DOS1991protected4.3/5 Westwood Studios
Civilization
DOSWindows 3.xMac OS19914.2/5 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...
Dungeon Hack
DOS1993protecteddemo4.2/5 DreamForge Intertainment
Dungeon Hack is a dungeon-crawling role-playing game (RPG) developed by DreamForge Intertainment and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). It was released in 1993 for MS-DOS and is known for its randomly generated levels, making each playthrough a unique experience. The game is set in a first-person perspective, and players explore dungeo...
Pools of Darkness
DOSMac OS1991protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Pools of Darkness is a computer role-playing game (CRPG) developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). It is the fourth entry in the "Gold Box" series of Dungeons & Dragons games, which are based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) ruleset. The game was released in 1991 for MS-DOS and later ported to other platform...
Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant
Windows XP/98/95LinuxDOS1992protected4.2/5 Sir-tech Software
Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant is a first-person perspective party-based RPG developed and released by Sir-tech Software in 1992 for Windows, Linux and DOS. Wizardry 7 is the seventh chapter in the Wizardry series and it's part of the Dark Savant trilogy, set in a world where sci-fi themes (space travel, androids) are mixed with fantasy...
Civilization 2
Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 MicroProse Software
Civilization II is a turn-based strategy game developed by MicroProse and released in 1996. It's the second installment in the "Civilization" series, created by Sid Meier. The game builds upon the concept of its predecessor, Civilization, and expands on its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and depth.In Civilization II, players take on the role of a le...
The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate
DOS19904.2/5 Interplay Productions
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 ...
Archon: the Light and the Dark
DOS19844.2/5 Free Fall Associates
Archon: The Light and the Dark is an abandoned DOS fantasy blend of strategy and action game, developed by Free Fall Associates and published for DOS by Electronic Arts in 1984. Archon and its sequels are a unique mix of chess-like turn-based strategy and arcade action games. Take chess and add the fact that every time two pieces land on the same s...
Civilization II: Test of Time
Windows XP/98/951999remake4.2/5 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...
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday
DOS1990protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Crystals of Arborea
DOS19904.2/5 Silmarils
Space Crusade
DOS19924.2/5 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
DOS1995protected4.2/5 MicroProse Software
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Stephen Goss (the original X-COM was designed by Julian Gollop) and was published by MicroProse Software in 1995. Terror from the Deep doesn't change the...
UMS 2: Nations at War
DOSMac OS19904.1/5 Intergalactic Development
Rogue
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS19844.1/5 Artificial Intelligence Design
Rogue is one of the first RPGs in the history of video gaming. It's a text-based dungeon crawler in which you have to fight your way in the dungeon to recover the Amulet of Yendor. Rogue became popular around 1980 on mainframes and later ported to various platforms, including DOS in 1984. Rogue is simply the father of all the roguelike games that c...
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...
Dungeon Master
DOS19924.1/5 FTL
Dungeon Master is a classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) developed by FTL Games and released in 1987. It's considered one of the pioneering titles in the dungeon crawler genre. In Dungeon Master, players navigate through a dungeon environment in a first-person perspective, controlling a party of up to four adventurers. The goal is to explore t...
Might and Magic: Swords of Xeen
DOS19954.1/5 Catware, Inc.
Secret of the Silver Blades
DOSMac OS1990protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Secret of the Silver Blades is a fantasy RPG set in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons universe, developed and released by SSI Strategic Simulations Inc. in 1990 for DOS, Macintosh, Amiga and Commodore 64 systems. Secret of the Silver Blades is part of the Pool of Radiance series and uses the same "GoldBox" engine with isometric turn-based combat ...
Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge
DOSLinuxMac OS1990protected4.1/5 Sir-tech Software
Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1990. It's the sixth installment in the long-running "Wizardry" series. The game begins with the player's party investigating a castle where the Cosmic Forge, a powerful magical pen capable of rewriting reality, was once used by a mad king ...
Prophecy of the Shadow
DOS1992protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Dark Queen of Krynn
DOS1992protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
UMS: The Universal Military Simulator
DOSMac OS19884.1/5 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...
Fountain of Dreams
DOS19904.1/5 Electronic Arts
Mech Brigade
DOS1987protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.