Abandonware DOS title

Games with a wonderful story sorted by release date

Storytelling in video games is a dynamic aspect of game design that encompasses various techniques and elements to engage players in immersive narratives. Unlike traditional storytelling mediums like books or films, video game storytelling often leverages interactivity as a central component. Also effective worldbuilding involves creating believable environments, cultures, histories, and lore that enhance immersion and provide context for the narrative.

Overall, storytelling in video games is a collaborative effort that integrates various artistic disciplines, including writing, game design, art direction, music composition, and voice acting. When executed effectively, video game storytelling can deliver memorable experiences that rival those found in other forms of media.

Most popular wonderful story games

thehobbit-1

The Hobbit

DOS19834/5 Beam Software
farehneith451-04

Farenheit 451

DOS19843.4/5 Telarium
hitchhikerguide-1

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

DOSMac OS1984freeware4.2/5 Infocom
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a humorous free text adventure game based on the novel of the same name written by Douglas Adams (if you never read it, shame on you!). The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was designed by Douglas Adams himself and interactive fiction god Steve Eric Meretzky, it was released by Infocom in 1984 for DOS and for...
wizard-of-oz-02

The Wizard of Oz

DOS19853.9/5 Windham Classics
fellowring-1

The Fellowship of the Ring

DOS19864.1/5 Beam Software
shadowsmordor-3

The Shadows of Mordor

DOS19883.7/5 Beam Software
ultima5-1

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...
js-shogun-02

James Clavell's Shogun

DOS19894.3/5 Infocom
James Clavell's Shogun, a text adventure game developed by Infocom and released in 1989. Infocom was known for its interactive fiction games, and "James Clavell's Shogun" was one of its later releases.This text adventure game is based on James Clavell's novel "Shogun" and follows the story of John Blackthorne, an English navigator who becomes invol...
neuromancer-3

Neuromancer

DOS19894/5 Interplay Productions
crackofdoom-1

The Crack of Doom

DOS19893.7/5 Beam Software
lordrings1-2

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...
loom-11

Loom

DOSLinuxMac OS1990protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
Loom is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Lucasfilm Games (now LucasArts). It was designed by Brian Moriarty and is known for its unique gameplay mechanics and emphasis on storytelling. Loom is distinctive for its interface, which revolves around musical notes and spells. The protagonist, Bobbin Threadbare, is a young weaver ...
risedragon-1

Rise of the Dragon

DOS19904.1/5 Dynamix
Rise of the Dragon is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Dynamix in 1990. It was originally released for MS-DOS and later ported to other platforms such as the Amiga and Sega CD. The game is set in a cyberpunk-inspired future Los Angeles, where the player assumes the role of William "Blade" Hunter, a private detective taske...
dune-4

Dune

DOS19924.1/5 Cryo Interactive Entertainment
Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, the young scion of House Atreides, as he arrives on the desert planet Arrakis with his family to take control of spice pro...
gateway1-3

Frederik Pohl's Gateway

DOS19924.1/5 Legend Entertainment
Frederik Pohl's Gateway is one of the best abandoned adventures games from Legend Entertainment. Gateway is an interactive fiction with graphics and an improved interface (unusual for IFs), based on the Frederik Pohl's novel Gateway. Tt was designed by Michael Verdu and Glen R. Dahlgren and published by Legend Entertainment in 1992.
indianafateatlantis-2

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis

DOSMac OS1992protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis is a graphical point and click adventure game created by LucasArts and published in 1992, based on the popular movie character. As the famous archaeologist Indiana Jones, you will travel the world searching for the mythical land of Atlantis. Fate of Atlantis is the sequel to the acclaimed Indiana Jones and the...
lotr2b-02

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...
starcontrol2-11

Star Control 2

DOS1992protected4.2/5 Toys for Bob
ultima7-2

Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate

DOS19924.3/5 Origin Systems
Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a top-down RPG where you, the Avatar, have to find out what's happening in Britannia by solving quests, meeting interesting NPCs and fight hordes of headleass monsters. The land of Britannia is shaken by mysterious earthquakes, a new religion (the Fellowship) is spreading and is replacing the old virtues, and who is th...
flashback-1

Flashback: The Quest for Identity

DOS1993protected4.2/5 Delphine software
gabrielknight-5

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protecteddemo4.1/5 Sierra On-Line
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1993 and designed by Jane Jensen. The game is the first installment in the Gabriel Knight series.The story revolves around Gabriel Knight, a struggling writer living in New Orleans. He inherits a bookstore from his d...
syndicate-5

Syndicate

DOS1993protected4.1/5 Bullfrog
bass-4

Beneath a Steel Sky

DOS1994freeware4/5 Revolution Software
Beneath a Steel Sky is a classic point-and-click adventure game released in 1994, developed by Revolution Software. Set in a dystopian, cyberpunk future, the game is renowned for its rich atmosphere and distinctive artwork. The game follows Robert Foster, who, after being abducted from his tribal home in the Outback, finds himself in Union Cit...
death-gate-01

Death Gate

DOS1994protected3.9/5 Legend Entertainment
tie-fighter-09

Star Wars: TIE Fighter

DOS1994protected4.1/5 LucasArts
system-shock-04

System Shock

DOS1994protected3.9/5 Looking Glass Studios
ihnom-4

I have no Mouth and I Must Scream

DOS1995protected4.1/5 The Dreamers Guild
the-dig-08

The Dig

DOSMac OS1995protecteddemo4.1/5 LucasArts
The Dig is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by LucasArts. It was originally released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for other platforms, including Mac OS and Windows. The game is known for its atmospheric storytelling, puzzle-solving gameplay, and collaboration with renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. The Dig inv...
blade-runner-10

Blade Runner

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1997protected4.2/5 Westwood Studios
Blade Runner is one of those point & click adventure games that somewhat manages to fully capture the spirit of a cult movie without copying the original plot. Fans of the Blade Runner movie will enjoy this game, even without Harrison Ford. Blade Runner was developed by Westwood Studios and released in 1997 by Virgin.
grim-fandango-04

Grim Fandango

Windows XP/98/951998protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
Grim Fandango is an adventure game developed and published by LucasArts. It was released in 1998 and is known for its unique setting and distinctive art style. The game was directed by Tim Schafer, who also co-wrote the script.The story is set in the Land of the Dead and follows the protagonist, Manny Calavera, a travel agent working for the Depart...