First-person MS-DOS Games

The Elder Scrolls: Arena is the first entry in Bethesda Softworks’ acclaimed fantasy RPG series, released for MS-DOS in 1994. The game introduces players to the vast continent of Tamriel, offering an unusually large, procedurally generated world for…

Ishar 3: The Seven Gates of Infinity is a 1994 MS-DOS role-playing game developed and published by Silmarils. It is the third installment in the Ishar series and continues the studio’s signature blend of first-person exploration, party-based…

Descent, released in 1995 by Interplay Productions, is a groundbreaking first-person shooter that introduced players to full 360-degree movement in a fully 3D environment. Developed by Parallax Software, the game takes place in a series of…

Rise of the Triad, released in 1995 by Apogee Software, is a fast-paced, over-the-top first-person shooter that builds on the legacy of Wolfenstein 3D with more weapons, mayhem, and mid-'90s attitude. Players take on the role of a member of the HUNT…

Witchaven, released in 1995 by Capstone Software, is a dark fantasy first-person action RPG that blends intense melee combat with dungeon crawling and magic. Powered by a modified Build engine, the same tech later used in Duke Nukem 3D, the game…

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a dark fantasy first-person shooter released in 1995 by Raven Software for MS-DOS. Serving as the spiritual successor to Heretic, it expands upon its predecessor’s fast-paced action with a grimmer atmosphere, richer lore,…

The Terminator: Future Shock is a first-person shooter released for MS-DOS in 1995 by Bethesda Softworks. Set in the grim, post-apocalyptic world of the Terminator film series, the game places players in a devastated Los Angeles ruled by the…

Star Wars: Dark Forces is a 1995 first-person shooter developed and published by LucasArts for MS-DOS. Set in the Star Wars universe, it follows mercenary-turned-Rebel agent Kyle Katarn on a mission to uncover the Empire’s secret “Dark Trooper”…

Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep (1995) by FTL Games is a first-person dungeon-crawling RPG originally released for MS-DOS and several other platforms. The game builds on the influential mechanics of the original Dungeon Master, offering…

Anvil of Dawn is a classic first-person dungeon crawler released for MS-DOS in 1995 by New World Computing. Set in a dark fantasy realm threatened by chaos, the game casts players as a lone hero chosen to confront the malevolent warlord who has…

Duke Nukem 3D, released in 1996 by 3D Realms, is a fast-paced first-person shooter that became an instant classic thanks to its over-the-top action, destructible environments, and unforgettable one-liners. Players take on the role of Duke Nukem, a…

Quake, developed by id Software and released in 1996, marked a revolutionary step in first-person shooters. Running on a fully 3D engine, it immersed players in dark, gothic environments filled with twisted architecture, eerie lighting, and…

PowerSlave (known as Exhumed in some regions) is a first-person shooter released in 1996 for MS-DOS by Lobotomy Software. Set in ancient Egypt, the game places the player in the role of an elite special forces operative sent to the city of Karnak,…

Grand Prix 2, released in 1996 by MicroProse, is widely regarded as one of the most influential Formula 1 racing simulations of its era. Designed by Geoff Crammond, the game delivers an impressively realistic driving model for its time, capturing…

Shadow Warrior, released in 1997 by 3D Realms, is a fast-paced first-person shooter built on the Build engine, the same technology behind Duke Nukem 3D. Players take on the role of Lo Wang, a skilled modern ninja working for the corrupt Zilla…

Chasm: The Rift, released in 1997 by Action Forms, is a fast-paced first-person shooter set in a grim, time-twisting future. As a Special Forces commando, players are tasked with stopping the mysterious Time Strikers — grotesque mutant invaders who…

Blood is a fast-paced first-person shooter released for MS-DOS in 1997 by Monolith Productions. Built on the enhanced Build engine, the game stands out for its fluid movement, interactive environments, and atmospheric level design. Players step into…