The best old school rpgs/strategy games

[Master_Thief]

I've recently been surfing around for some old school games in the RPG and strategy genres. For some reason i've just suddenly had the desire to play old dos games. I've looked on websites such as [snip!] and have found some games of interest such as Lands of Lore and Castles 2 but nothing has really gripped me. Don't suppose somebody could suggest the best DOS-based stategy and RPG games that are available. Cheers.



No links to abandonware sites please. It's a grey legal area, and could potentially cause trouble for the org. Froggy.

[Bijo]

Command & Conquer for DOS :P

[econ21]

X-Com1/UFO Enemy Unknown is the one DOS game I still play - although thankfully, there is a Windows version (Gold?) you can use without too much pain.

SSI made some excellent strategy games. I liked the original Panzer General game; the DOS version was better than the Windows one, IMO. Also, Steel Panthers 1 and 2 - there are now free standalone major realism mods for Windows (SPWW2 and SPWAW). Age of Rifles was a great game - DOS again, I think. I really enjoyed playing the Napoleonic usermade scenarios that modders made for it. Those three games could take up several years of your gaming life (they did of mine).

I can't recall playing DOS RPGs - my first CRPG was Might and Magic VI, was it DOS? Probably not, although I can't get it to work on modern Windows. It's held up well - in some ways the pinnacle of the series. But to me, CRPGs really hit their stride with Fallout and Baldur's Gate which I believe were for Windows.

[TinCow]

For DOS strategy, try the BattleIsle/Historyline games by BlueByte. Not exactly the smartest AI in the world, but fun nonetheless.

[Whacker]

X-Com1/UFO Enemy Unknown is the one DOS game I still play - although thankfully, there is a Windows version (Gold?) you can use without too much pain.

I'm sure this was a good game, but I actually got started with XCOM2, and prefer that by a good margin. They can both run on Windows if you use Dosbox or VDMsound for the older version, or the loader/patch for the Gold Windows version. I just got done playing XCOM2 for awhile last month, it's a great game to dust off every few years for a stroll down memory lane.

But to me, CRPGs really hit their stride with Fallout and Baldur's Gate which I believe were for Windows.

Ahhhh.... In my most humble opinionated view, Fallout was/is the bar that all PC RPGs must live up to. It's also the #1 game on my personal "I ignored this when it was new and damn do I regret it now!" list. Someone got me to play it back in 2003 and I never looked back. If you're chomping at the bit, I'd say go for this. Some things to keep in mind if you do though; it's old, from 1997, and the graphics were considered "dated" even for then. It will run on both DOS and Windows, but you'll probably have to install it through the cmd prompt and then manually install the 1.1. patch to make it Windows compatible. I never had any problems running it at all, others have, so YMMV. It's going to feel old and clunky, but if you put forth the effort to get into the game and enjoy it, you'll be rewarded like very few other games can.

[Master_Thief]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to check a few of those out. Off to bed though now. I'll post my opinions tomorrow if possible.

[Kekvit Irae]

Four words: Eye of the Beholder.
Or even an additional word: Eye of the Beholder 2.

[professorspatula]

Castles 2. The Pope is as much a nuisance in that game as in MTW/2!!

Oops you said that already. Castles I then.

And don't forget Net Hack. Still updated to this day. Really really old school RPG.

[Geezer57]

If you're looking for post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG's, then you need to scrounge up a copy of Wasteland ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasteland_(computer_game) ), which pretty much started it all. Interplay described Fallout as the "spiritual successor" to Wasteland, a well-deserved homage.

Granted the graphics are incredibly primitive by today's standards, but the game play and story line remain superb. All the hundreds of hours I've played that game attest to that!

[Phatose]

Master of Magic.

[Veho Nex]

SSI made some excellent strategy games. I liked the original Panzer General game; the DOS version was better than the Windows one, IMO. Also, Steel Panthers 1 and 2 - there are now free standalone major realism mods for Windows (SPWW2 and SPWAW). Age of Rifles was a great game - DOS again, I think. I really enjoyed playing the Napoleonic usermade scenarios that modders made for it. Those three games could take up several years of your gaming life (they did of mine).

went and looked through my old dos games pile and found AoR but i can't ever remember playing it... It's a fantastic game once i got into it

ok back on topic

try a game called Space Empires I(or II)

[drone]

Master of Magic.

FTW!

[TinCow]

Just remembered another one: Elite. It was a fabulous space trading/combat game.

[Master_Thief]

I've just finished having a play around on a few games: Battle Isle 2, Betrayal at Krondor and Lands of Lore (again). They all seem pretty good. I wasn't too convinced by Lands of Lore at first, but once I found out how to fight things got a lot better LOL! I remember playing the battle isle 3 demo many years ago which I quite enjoyed. Battle Isle 2 isn't quite as good due to the graphics but its still pretty fun. For some reason, though, Dosbox wouldn't let be play it in full screen. I've had a look for games such as Fallout but many are either not available or cost money, which is a shame and slightly ludicrious considering their age. Ah well, cheers for the suggestions. Its good to keep retro games alive. I think I shall check out Eye of the Beholder, Age of Rifles and maybe Xcom in the near future. Right now its back to work . Feel free to use this thead as a discussion for all things DOS.

[TinCow]

Two more: Syndicate and Syndicate Wars.

[Meneldil]

Well, actually, I really enjoyed a totally unknow game named I think "Magic and Mayhem" (The french version has been translated to "Arcanes"). It's a mix of strategy and RPG, as you play a young wizard who's looking for his Uncle who disappeared.
Gameplay wise, it's quite easy : you find mana pool on the map. With the mana, you summon creatures such as Satyr, Dragons, Red Caps, Giants, Knights, cast cool spells (from frost armor, to heal and 'the-huge-fireball-that-burn-everything-to-the-ground').
As you complete quests, you get experience that allows you to "upgrade" your wizard by giving him more mana, more health, more spells, etc.

What was really nice was that the game took place in the Arthurian, Celtic and Greek mythology : while he's finding clues that lead to his Uncle, Cornélius meets Perceval, Ariadne, Medea, Dagda, finds the Golden Fleece, looks for the Grail, visits Camelot, the Elysium and so on.
The soundtracks, made by "Afro Celt Sound System" were also trully great.

This is one of the few very old (1998) games that I sometimes reinstall and enjoy playing (along with Final Fantasy 7). I don't know if it fits your question as it's not a DOS game.
Unfortunately, I doubt one's could buy this game easily. It's was not a real success, and Mythos Game (who made it) disappeared long ago, after releasing a crappy "Magic and Mayhem 2 : The Art of War".

[Master_Thief]

Well i've never heard of it but i'll do a quick search in a minute. It has to be said that Afro Celt Sound System are a brilliant group so the game must be good.

[professorspatula]

Magic and Mayhem is pretty good. It has a unique feel and atmosphere although it is pretty tricky at times. There was one Greek level I where I was up against 3 opponents at the same time that I just couldn't defeat. What makes it great is the magic/spell system. You collect talismans that grant you 3 possible spells. You put the talisman in your portmanteau (magic book) in one of three slots - chaos, neutral, or law. Depending on the slot, you get a different spell effect: eg, a healing spell, raise dead spell, fireball attack etc. You can only use one of the talisman's possible powers during the level, so you have to get a good balance of offensive spells, defensive and summoning spells as best you can. Pick the wrong powers, and you face an uphill struggle during the level. Get it right and you're laughing. It's a shame the main game was linear or you could have good fun using different approaches and spells.

Basically the game is an update of Julian Gollop's previous classic 'Chaos'. That was on the ZX Spectrum, possibly C-64, Amstrad CPC etc and also worth a look if you can find it. Or one of its modern day updates. Whilst we're mentioning Julian 'master of turn based strategy' Gollop, you might also want to play 'Laser Squad'. It's the precursor to X-Com. Heck, even his earlier Rebelstar games are still worth playing.

[Lorenzo_H]

Sid Meier's Pirates!

[Master_Thief]

I've had a look for Magic and Mayhem. It seems that acquiring it is nigh on impossible without spending money. Its also a windows 95/98 game meaning that it probably wont work on XP, and certainly wont work on DOS. However, from what i've seen it looks like a damn fine game. Hopefully someday i'll have the chance to play it. As far as Sid Meier's Pirates is concerned, i'm afraid i'll have to pass. I'm sure it was a great game in its day, but i've got the newer version which is capable of entertaining me for about an hour before I get bored rigid and don't pick it up again for several months. It can be quite enjoyable, but its cartoony graphics and disney/hollywood clichés really put me off. I much prefer Sea Dogs but that crashes regularly, which is a shame since its quite an involving game. Anyway back on topic; I think i'll try X-com in the near future and see how I get on with it.

[professorspatula]

It does work with Windows XP, I've tried it myself. Was almost tempted to play again last night. Finding a copy is tricky, but I stumbled upon a copy in a local charity shop the other week. I had it already, so obviously didn't buy a second copy, but for about £1.99 you can't go wrong. They also had the original boxed versions of X-Com 1 and 2 as well as other 'abandonware' classics like Beneath a Steel Sky. Sadly the boxes looked like they'd be kept in a slightly damp environment (garage/attic etc) so I didn't part with my readies. Plus I already have way too many games taking up shelf space. Just proves the games are out there if you want them. You just have to look (and get lucky).

[Master_Thief]

I shall keep my eyes firmly peeled! Cheers for all the info dude.

[Blodrast]

Sigh, the memories...
Seriously, though, you folks already mentioned most of the oldies-but-goodies...
I still have and play Castles 2, Panzer General, X-Com 1&2...

So far I don't think people have mentioned Heroes of Might and Magic. The second and third ones are probably better suited for a "classic" tag...

Also, what about Master of Orion ? I loved the first one, didn't really get into the second one - although I tried really hard, and loathed the third one - most horrible interface I've ever seen in a game, bar none. But I still play the first one every now and then, and have a blast doing it.

[TinCow]

YES! I actually reinstalled Heroes of Might and Magic 2 & 3 last year and played them through. The strategic and tactical AI in those games was actually pretty decent. Plus, you can't beat the HOMM2 operatic music!

[Subedei]

"bandit Kings of Ancient China" one of my 1st computer games

[Master_Thief]

I still play HOMM 3 now and then. In my opinion its probably the most addictive turn-based strategy game I have ever played, and is my fourth favourite startegy game after Settlers 3, AOE 2 and RTW (still haven't got M2TW yet ).

[econ21]

I wish TW could steal the strategic AI of Homm3. It's nasty. I generally don't like the gameplay because of the fog of war issue - it's easy to get pounced on by the AI, but I do find myself replaying certain scenarios. I like the Mandate of Heaven because it makes me nostalgic for Might and Magic VI; and I love the Middle Earth (allies) map created by a user on the web - it kicks the stuffing out of Battle for Middle Earth. Playing either XL map on impossible makes for a great (long) night of gaming.

[caravel]

Four words: Eye of the Beholder.
Or even an additional word: Eye of the Beholder 2.

Two difficult, but classic, games. I fired it up about 2 years back and got further than ever have before (and that wasn't far). It just doesn't cut it when compared to games like Ultima VII though.

[professorspatula]

Well to be fair, the EOTB games are more standard dungeon crawl style RPGs, whereas Ultima 7 is more of an adventure with RPG elements. Completely different things really. The Ultima Underworld games are more comparable to Eye of the Beholder. I do love Ultima 7 though. Always worth loading up every couple of years and playing through it again. I wonder if there's anyone else like me, that just before they embark on the final part of the game, that they visit every town again just to say bye to all the characters and trade jokes with Chuckles one last time.

[Kalle]

Clash of steel (COS), without doubt one of the best and easiest to learn wwii strategy games.

Panzer general 1 as said above.

Gary Grigsbys wargames of diffrent kinds, a bit harder to learn though.

Conquered Kingdoms

Kalle