strategy games

Master of Magic (1994) by MicroProse is a classic MS-DOS strategy game that blends 4X empire-building with deep fantasy role-playing elements. As a powerful wizard, the player commands armies, researches spells, and competes with rival sorcerers acro...

Powermonger, released in 1990 by Bullfrog Productions, is a real-time strategy game that challenges players to conquer a living, breathing world through cunning, diplomacy, and military might. Set in a medieval-style landscape of towns, villages, and...

Railroad Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1993 by MicroProse, is an enhanced version of Sid Meier’s groundbreaking railroad management simulation. Building on the 1990 original, the Deluxe edition expands the experience with improved VGA graphics, new soun...

Stronghold, released in 1993 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) for MS-DOS, is a unique blend of real-time strategy and city-building set in a fantasy world. Unlike traditional wargames of its time, it allowed players to design, build, and manage t...

Battle Chess, released for MS-DOS in 1988 by Interplay Productions, brought the classic game of chess to life with a unique and entertaining twist. Instead of simple moves on a static board, each piece was represented by a fully animated character, t...

Command & Conquer is a groundbreaking real-time strategy game released in 1995 by Westwood Studios for MS-DOS. Set in an alternate near-future conflict, the game tells the story of a global war between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the myst...

Battle Bugs is a quirky real-time strategy game developed by Epyx and released for MS-DOS in 1994. Set entirely on everyday household battlegrounds like kitchen floors, picnic blankets, and backyard patios, the game pits teams of cartoon-style insect...

Caesar, released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line (originally developed by Impressions Games), is a city-building strategy game set in the grandeur of ancient Rome. As a Roman governor, players are tasked with founding and managing provinces across the empi...

Populous, released in 1989 by Bullfrog Productions, is a groundbreaking real-time strategy game that pioneered the “god game” genre. As a deity, players wield divine powers to guide and protect their followers while shaping the landscape and waging s...

Warlords II Deluxe, released in 1995 by Strategic Studies Group, is an enhanced version of the classic turn-based strategy game that immerses players in epic fantasy warfare. Set in a richly detailed world of swords, sorcery, and conquest, players co...

Defender of the Crown, released in 1986 by Cinemaware, is a visually striking strategy game set in the turbulent era of medieval England. Combining turn-based strategy, action, and cinematic storytelling, players assume the role of a Saxon noble seek...

Transport Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1995 by Chris Sawyer, is a refined and expanded version of the beloved transport management simulation game. As the head of a transport company, players are tasked with building a profitable empire by designing an...

Scorched Earth, released in 1991 by Wendell Hicken, is a turn-based artillery game that became a staple of early '90s PC gaming. Dubbed “The Mother of All Games,” it pits players against each other in strategic tank battles across destructible, 2D la...

Master of Orion, released in 1993 by MicroProse, is a genre-defining 4X strategy game that invites players to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate their way to galactic dominance. Set in a vast and procedurally generated universe, the game puts ...

Battle Isle 2, released in 1994 by Blue Byte, is a turn-based strategy game that continues the sci-fi conflict on the planet Chromos. As the commander of the Drullian forces, players are tasked with repelling the invading Titan-Net army across a seri...

X-COM: UFO Defense, released in 1994 by MicroProse, is a groundbreaking strategy game that blends tactical combat with deep resource management. Known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe, the game tasks players with leading X-COM, an elite international ...

Jagged Alliance, released in 1995 by Sir-Tech for MS-DOS, is a tactical turn-based strategy game that combines deep gameplay mechanics with a gripping narrative. Set on the tropical island of Metavira, players take on the role of a commander tasked w...

Centurion: Defender of Rome, released in 1990 by Electronic Arts, is a strategy game that places players in the role of a Roman centurion tasked with building and leading the Roman Empire to glory. Combining elements of turn-based strategy, real-time...

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, released in 1994 by Blizzard Entertainment, is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game that laid the foundation for one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. Set in the fantasy world of Azeroth, the game pits the ...

The Settlers, released in 1993 by Blue Byte, is a groundbreaking real-time strategy and city-building game that invites players to build and manage a thriving medieval settlement. Players oversee every aspect of their growing community, from resource...

North & South, released in 1989 by Infogrames, is a unique blend of strategy and action that brings the American Civil War to life with a mix of humor and historical themes. Based on the popular French-Belgian comic series Les Tuniques Bleues, the ga...

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty, released in 1992 by Virgin Games, is a pioneering real-time strategy (RTS) game that helped define and popularize the genre. Set in the richly detailed universe of Frank Herbert's Dune, the game places players in t...

SimCity, released in 1989 by Maxis, is a groundbreaking city-building simulation game that pioneered the genre and became an instant classic. In "SimCity," players take on the role of a city planner and mayor, tasked with designing, building, and man...

Sid Meier's Civilization, released in 1991 by MicroProse Software, is a groundbreaking strategy game that set the standard for the 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) genre. In "Civilization," players take on the role of a leader guiding a...