Abandonware DOS title

The best abandonware strategy games

Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.
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The Blue & the Gray

DOS1993 wargame
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Chessmaster 3000

DOS1991 chess
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X-COM: Ufo Defense

DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
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 fi...
moo2-administratoroffer

Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected 4x
Master of Orion II is a 4X turn-based sci-fi strategy game set in space. Master of Orion 2 gives the player an empire to run by controlling food and production, managing economy and researching new technology. The player can wage ...
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War of the Lance

DOS1990protected wargame
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Ogre

DOS1986 wargame, board game
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The Grandest Fleet

DOS1994 wargame
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Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods

DOSMac OS1993protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods is a classic sandbox strategy god game. As the title suggests, its setting is loosely based on ancient Greek mythology, and you play as a deity (hence the "god game" label). Populous 2 is th...
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Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo real-time strategy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Released in 1999, it is the second installment in the Age of Empires series and remains one ...
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Action in the North Atlantic

DOS1989 naval simulation
If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding a WWII convoy while cold, stressed, and staring at a pixelated radar screen, Action in the North Atlantic (1989, DOS) has you covered. It’s part strategy, part simulation, and all t...
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Cossacks: The Art of War

Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics
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Global Conquest

DOS1992 board game
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Jagged Alliance 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected turn-based tactics
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...
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Lords of Midnight: The Citadel

DOS1995 first-person party-based RPG
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Civilization

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1991 4x
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...
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Empire Earth

Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy
Empire Earth is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Stainless Steel Studios and released by Sierra Entertainment in 2001. It's often compared to the "Age of Empires" series due to its similar gameplay mechanics and histor...
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Star Fleet 2: Krellan Commander

DOS1989 space exploration, space simulation
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Space Hulk

DOS1993 board game, real-time tactics
Space Hulk is an abandoned real-time tactical strategy game set in the Warhammer  40000 universe, developed and released by Electronic Arts in 1993 for DOS and Amiga systems. In Space Hulk, the player is tasked with wiping ou...
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Civilization 2

Windows XP/98/951996 4x
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, Civil...
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Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

Windows XP/98/951999protected turn-based tactics
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Worms

DOS1995protecteddemo artillery
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Fantasy General

DOS1996protected turn-based tactics
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...
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Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo turn-based tactics
Mix one part turn-based strategy, one part fantasy novel, add a dash of dragon, and you get Age of Wonders (1999). This is the game where wizards rule, elves sulk in forests, and you get to conquer the world with tactical brillian...
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Conquest of the New World (Deluxe Edition)

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected 4x
Conquest of the new world is a turn-based strategy game that lets you control one of 6 different nations in their attempt to colonize the new continent. The gameworld is represented in an isometric point of view. Combat is a mini-...
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Colonization

DOSWindows 3.xLinuxMac OS1994protected 4x
Colonization is a turn-based strategy 4x game developed and published by MicroProse in 1994 for DOS, Windows 3.1, Linux and Mac. The setting is the European Colonization of the New World. Colonization gameplay and interface are si...
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Twilight 2000

DOS1991 board game, real-time tactics, wargame
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Battle Chess

DOS1988protected board game, chess
You’ve never really lived until you’ve watched a rook pick up a pawn and slam dunk it into the floor. Battle Chess (1988) turns the world’s most intellectual board game into a medieval cage match. The pieces don&...
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Star Control 2

DOS1992protected shoot 'em up
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Dune 2000

Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
Dune 2000 is an abandoned science fiction classic real-time strategy game based on the popular Dune franchise. The Dune "universe" took form in the books of science fiction writer Frank Herbert and went on to include mov...