Classic MS-DOS RPG Games

The MS-DOS era was a golden age for role-playing games. Computer RPGs on DOS ranged from grid-based dungeon crawlers like Wizardry and Might & Magic, to open-world epics like Ultima VII and the early Fallout games. Developers like Origin Systems, New World Computing and Interplay Productions pushed the boundaries of character systems, branching narratives and persistent worlds. Many foundational RPG conventions — experience points, party management, inventory systems — were refined and popularised on DOS machines in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Games in the RPG genre (recently added)

Betrayal at Krondor

Betrayal at Krondor – MS-DOS cover art
Betrayal at Krondor is a story-driven role-playing game developed by Dynamix and released for MS-DOS in 1993 under the Sierra label. Set in Raymond E. Feist’s richly imagined world of Midkemia, the game unfolds like a playable novel, following a…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1993
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Ultima VIII: Pagan

Ultima VIII: Pagan – MS-DOS cover art
Ultima VIII: Pagan is a dark, action-oriented entry in Origin Systems’ legendary RPG series, released for MS-DOS in 1994. Cast into the mysterious and oppressive world of Pagan, the Avatar must master elemental magic and challenge four tyrannical…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1994
Developer: Origin Systems
Publisher: -

Robinson's Requiem

Robinson's Requiem – MS-DOS cover art
Robinson's Requiem is a survival simulation game developed by Silmarils and released for MS-DOS in 1994. Blending first-person exploration with detailed survival mechanics, the game follows Trepliev 1, a space marshal stranded on the hostile alien…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1994
Developer: Silmarils
Publisher: -

Legends of Valour

Legends of Valour – MS-DOS cover art
Legends of Valour, released in 1992 by Synthetic Dimensions, is an ambitious first-person RPG that offers players an open-ended adventure in a vast medieval fantasy city. Set in the sprawling metropolis of Mitteldorf, the game allows players to…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1992
Developer: Synthetic Dimensions
Publisher: U.S. Gold

Dungeon Master

Dungeon Master – MS-DOS cover art
Dungeon Master, released in 1988 by FTL Games, is a groundbreaking dungeon-crawling RPG that set the standard for immersive, real-time gameplay in the genre. Players embark on a perilous quest to recover the Firestaff and defeat the evil Lord Chaos,…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1988
Developer: FTL Games
Publisher: -

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom – MS-DOS cover art
Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom, released in 1993 by Silmarils, is an immersive role-playing game (RPG) that continues the epic saga of the Ishar series. Set in a rich and expansive fantasy world, the game challenges players to assemble a team of…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1993
Developer: Silmarils
Publisher: -