Abandonware DOS title

The best turn-based tactics games

Turn-based tactical video games are a genre of strategy games where gameplay is divided into turns, during which players take sequential actions with their units or characters. In turn-based tactical games, players typically control a group of units, such as soldiers, heroes, or specialized characters, and navigate them across a grid-based map or environment. Each turn, players can move their units, attack enemies, use special abilities, or perform other actions within the game's mechanics and rules.

The turn-based nature of these games allows players to carefully consider their options and plan their moves strategically, taking into account factors like terrain, unit strengths and weaknesses, and the overall objectives of the game. Typically, the outcome of battles or encounters is determined by a combination of factors such as unit statistics, positioning, and sometimes random chance. Some well-known examples of turn-based tactical games include the XCOM series, Heroes of Might and Magic series, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Jagged Alliance. 

Most popular turn-based tactics games

Heroes of Might and Magic
strategyDOS, Windows XP/98/95
X-COM: Ufo Defense
strategyDOS
sword-of-aragon-05

Sword of Aragon

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
ufo-5

X-COM: Ufo Defense

DOS1994protected MicroProse Software
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 fight aliens in a turn-based fashion, and strategic micromanagement, where you manage your X-COM base and personnel.
jagged-alliance-2-04

Jagged Alliance 2

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS1999protected Sir-tech Software
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 the turn-based strategy genre.Set in the fictional country of Arulco, Jagged Alliance 2 presents players with the task ...
jagged-alliance-1-10

Jagged Alliance

DOS1994protected Sir-tech Software
age-of-wonders-09

Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo Triumph Studios
homm3-11

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia

Windows XP/98/951999protected New World Computing
conflict-korea-05

Conflict: Korea

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
gulf-strike-04

Gulf Strike

DOS1986 Microcomputer Games Inc.
lempereur-01

L'Empereur

DOS1991 KOEI
pacific-general-03

Pacific General

Windows XP/98/951997protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
waterloo-02

Waterloo

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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, each with unique and colorful units.
jagged-alliance-deadly-games-09

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

DOS1996protected Sir-tech Software
conflict-europe-07

Conflict: Europe

DOS1989 Personal Software Services
Conflict Europe is an abandoned turn-based top-down strategy game set in Europe. The game was developed by Personal Software Services and released by Mirrorsoft in 1989 for DOS, Amiga and Atari ST.
merchant-colony-07

Merchant Colony

DOS1991 Impressions Games
101-invasion-normandy-05

101: The Airborne Invasion of Normandy

Windows XP/98/951998 Empire Interactive
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS1995 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Steel Panthers is the first game in the Steel Panthers series. It was released in 1995 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). This initial release laid the foundation for the series and introduced players to the turn-based tactical wargame experience that would be further developed in subsequent titles. The game focused on armored warfare and featur...
peoples-general-06

People's General

Windows XP/98/951998protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
spacecrusade-splash

Space Crusade

DOS1992 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
xcom2-7

X-COM: Terror from the Deep

DOS1995protected MicroProse Software
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Stephen Goss (the original X-COM was designed by Julian Gollop) and was published by MicroProse Software in 1995. Terror from the Deep doesn't change the...
hi-command-03

High Command: Europe 1939-45

DOS1992 Colorado Computer Creations
v4vmarket_007

V for victory: Market-Garden

DOS1993protected Atomic Games
renegade-legion-interceptor-01

Renegade Legion Interceptor

DOS1990protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
perfectgeneral-splash

The Perfect General

DOS1991 White Wolf Productions
The Perfect General is a turn-based strategy military game developed by White Wolf Productions and released in 1991 by Quantun Quality Production. The Perfect General gameplay is quite simple compared to other wargames, but it's based on a solid set of rules and let the players progress at their own pace through missions and scenarios. The Perfect ...
vvictoryjuno-4

V for victory: Gold-Juno-Sword

DOS1993protected Atomic Games
xcom3-09

X-COM: Apocalypse

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected Mythos Software
X-COM: Apocalypse is the third installment of the very popular X-COM franchise. After X-COM: Ufo Defence and Terror From the Deep, fans expected another smash hit. Apocalypse is quite different under many aspects, from gameplay to aesthetics. X-COM Apocalypse was designed by Julian Gollop (the same designer that brought the original X-COM to l...
joan-of-arc-03

Joan of Arc

DOS1989 Chip
ums-2-07

UMS 2: Nations at War

DOSMac OS1990 Intergalactic Development
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected New World Computing
sorcerer-lord-01

Sorcerer Lord

DOS1987 Personal Software Services