Classic MS-DOS Adventure Games

Adventure games defined MS-DOS gaming for an entire generation. LucasArts and Sierra On-Line turned the genre into an art form with classics like The Secret of Monkey Island, King's Quest, Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and Gabriel Knight. These point-and-click (and often text-parser) experiences placed storytelling, puzzle-solving and atmosphere above everything else. Many of the best DOS adventure games remain unsurpassed for their wit, writing and world-building — a true golden age for interactive fiction on the PC.

Games in the "adventure" genre

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, released in 1992 by LucasArts, is a classic point-and-click adventure that takes players on a thrilling archaeological journey alongside the legendary Indiana Jones. Set in 1939, on the brink of World War II, t...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Loom
Loom
Loom, released in 1990 by Lucasfilm Games, is a unique and atmospheric point-and-click adventure game set in a mystical, fantasy world. The game tells the story of Bobbin Threadbare, a young Weaver who discovers that his guild's elders have been tran...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites is a classic point-and-click adventure game for MS-DOS that places the player in command of the USS Enterprise during the era of Star Trek: The Original Series. Released in 1993 by Interplay Productions, the game serves as a...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary for MS-DOS, released by Interplay Productions in 1992, is a story-driven adventure that captures the spirit of the original Star Trek series. Players take command of the USS Enterprise as Captain Kirk, accompanied by the f...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Discworld
Discworld
Set in Terry Pratchett’s fantastical Discworld universe, this classic point-and-click adventure casts players as the inept yet lovable wizard Rincewind. When a deadly dragon threatens the city of Ankh-Morpork, it’s up to Rincewind — and his mischievo...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1995
Developer: Perfect 10 Productions
Publisher: Psygnosis

DreamWeb
DreamWeb
DreamWeb, released in 1994 by Creative Reality, is a dark, top-down point-and-click adventure that delves into themes of destiny, morality, and madness. Players control Ryan, a troubled bartender plagued by disturbing dreams, who is chosen by mysteri...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1994
Developer: Creative Reality
Publisher: Empire Interactive

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, released in 1993 by Sierra On-Line, is a critically acclaimed point-and-click adventure game that masterfully blends mystery, horror, and supernatural intrigue. Created by Jane Jensen, the game follows Gabriel Kni...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

The Legend of Kyrandia
The Legend of Kyrandia
The Legend of Kyrandia, released in 1992 by Virgin Games, is a visually stunning point-and-click adventure game that takes players on a magical journey through the enchanting kingdom of Kyrandia. Developed by Westwood Studios, the game is the first i...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Space Quest I
Space Quest I
Space Quest: Chapter I – The Sarien Encounter is a classic science-fiction adventure game released for MS-DOS by Sierra On-Line in 1986. Players take on the role of Roger Wilco, an ordinary janitor aboard the spaceship Arcada, who unexpectedly become...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1986
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor is a 1987 MS-DOS interactive fiction adventure from Infocom, set in the strange and witty fantasy world of Zork. As the magic of Quendor fades, the legendary Coconut of Quendor has fallen into dangerous hands, and ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1987
Developer: Infocom
Publisher: -

Gobliiins
Gobliiins
Gobliiins (1991) is a puzzle-adventure game developed and published by the French studio Coktel Vision for MS-DOS. It is the first entry in the well-known Gobliiins series and stands out for its unusual spelling, stylized visuals, and focus on multi-...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1991
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Eternam
Eternam
Eternam is a point-and-click adventure game released for MS-DOS in 1992 by Infogrames. The game tells the story of Bob Wilson, a young man living in the distant future, where society is obsessed with achieving immortality through advanced technology ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel
Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel
Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel, released in 1987 by Sierra On-Line, is a realistic police adventure that blends narrative-driven gameplay with authentic law enforcement procedures. Players take on the role of Sonny Bonds, a patrol office...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1987
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Dune
Dune
Dune, released in 1992 by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games, is a unique blend of adventure and strategy inspired by Frank Herbert’s legendary science fiction novel. Players step into the role of Paul Atreides, heir of House Atreides, wh...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Cryo Interactive
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Innocent Until Caught
Innocent Until Caught
Innocent Until Caught, released in 1993 by Psygnosis, is a humorous sci-fi point-and-click adventure set in a galaxy of corruption, crime, and interstellar bureaucracy. Players step into the shoes of Jack T. Ladd, a smooth-talking thief with a knack ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Divide By Zero
Publisher: Psygnosis

Quest for Glory
Quest for Glory
Quest for Glory I: So You Want to Be a Hero, re-released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line in a VGA remake of the 1989 classic, is a hybrid adventure/RPG that blends Sierra’s signature point-and-click interface with role-playing depth. Players create a custo...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Future Wars
Future Wars
Future Wars, released in 1989 by Delphine Software, is a cinematic point-and-click adventure that blends science fiction with time travel. Players assume the role of a humble janitor who unexpectedly stumbles upon an alien conspiracy threatening huma...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1989
Developer: Delphine Software
Publisher: -

Lure of the Temptress
Lure of the Temptress
Lure of the Temptress, released in 1992 by Revolution Software, is a fantasy point-and-click adventure that marked the studio’s debut. Players step into the role of a reluctant hero named Diermot, who finds himself imprisoned in the medieval town of ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Revolution Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

B.A.T.
B.A.T.
B.A.T. is a futuristic cyberpunk role-playing adventure game developed and published by Ubi Soft in 1990 for MS-DOS and other platforms. Set in a gritty sci-fi metropolis, it blends traditional RPG elements with a strong emphasis on investigation, di...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: Computer's Dream
Publisher: Ubisoft

Operation Stealth
Operation Stealth
Operation Stealth, known as James Bond: The Stealth Affair in North America, is a spy-themed point-and-click adventure developed by Delphine Software and released for MS-DOS in 1990. The game follows CIA agent John Glames as he is assigned to recover...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: Delphine Software
Publisher: U.S. Gold

BloodNet
BloodNet
BloodNet is a cyberpunk role-playing adventure game developed by MicroProse and released for MS-DOS in 1993. Set in a dystopian near-future New York, the game blends science fiction with gothic horror, creating a unique mix of cyberspace hacking, str...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -