Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac
Author: Tasha - Published: 24 February 2017, 1:22 am
Ascendancy is a sci fi turn-based strategy game developed and published by The Logic Factory in 1995 and released for DOS.
It is referred to as a “4x” game, meaning explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate (if you ignore the e’s that is). Though similar to other games (Master of Orion being the most mentioned), it manages to set itself apart with unique gameplay elements. Earning a Codie for Best Strategy Software in 1996.
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Author: Tasha - Published: 24 February 2017, 12:12 am
Aces Over Europe is an action flight simulator and the sequel to Aces of the Pacific, developed by Dynamix. It was published by Sierra On-Line in 1993 for DOS. This game improves upon its predecessor in the graphics departments, down to the plane markings.
Set during World War II, assume the role of a pilot from either America, Germany, or England. Your chosen country determines the types of aircraft available to you. America offers the Thunderbolt, Mustang, and Lightning. England has the Spitfire, Tempest, and Typhoon. While Germany uses the Bf 109 (or Me 109), Fw 190, and Me 262. I notice America and England like to use weather-related names for their aircraft, while Germany goes for avian names like Shrike, swallow and stormbird (translated of course). The object of the game is to become an ace pilot by taking over the European skies. You can attack and bomb troops on the ground or have action-packed dogfights with other planes. Aces Over Europe has variable campaigns based on your country and aircraft of choice-making each one different. There is a wide range of mission types including search and destroy, interception, and escorts.
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Author: Tasha - Published: 22 February 2017, 3:09 pm
Lords of the Realm II is a strategy meets resource management computer game developed by Impressions Games and published by Sierra On-Line in 1996. It is the second game in the series started with Lords of the Realm. It is not so much a sequel as it is a remake that features enhanced graphics and improved gameplay mechanics.
The game is set in medieval times and the storyline is just like the first one. The King has died without an heir, leaving his throne ripe for the taking. Five lords are fighting against each other for control of the throne. You can choose to play as the Baron, the Bishop, the Countess, the Knight, or the Princess and set out on your task to take over the realm. You need to conquer counties and set up your castles to stake your claim. Your citizens do your bidding by farming or fighting and everything in between. The resource management is turn based and the turns are marked by changes in season. Also engage in combat with enemy troops using a variety of unit types, though there are no fantasy folk or mages among their ranks. During combat control a single unit or entire formations at once. You can also skip the battle and let the computer decide the outcome. Claim victory by either capturing the enemy flag or annihilate them all.
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Author: Tasha - Published: 22 February 2017, 3:01 pm
Lords of the Realm is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Impressions Games in 1994. Initially released for the Amiga and MS-DOS, it was ported to Windows three years later.
In this strategy meets resource management game, you play as a lord vying for the currently empty throne against other lords. The focus is on building up your empire and putting your serfs to work to make it glorious. This game allows you to design your personalized castles or use a blueprint. Lords of the Realm requires some amount of micromanagement, but over time your serfs will be able to be efficient without as much intervention from you. Take care of your serfs, and they will take care of you. You can also take part in land battles against your enemies to make them bow before you. During the battle, you can take control of a single unit or entire groups of your army. Each time the combat starts, you can pick the right ones, with access to several different unit types. The game also gives you the option to let the computer auto-battle for you if you would instead focus on other things. Just for fun, you may also send your messages to the opposing lords and call them nasty names. It would help if you took over counties before the other lords beat you to it. Grow your empire, take out the other lords, and claim that throne!
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Author: Tasha - Published: 21 February 2017, 1:24 am
Stronghold is a real-time strategy game developed by Stormfront Studios and published by Strategic Simulations Inc. in 1993. This game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy universe and uses a bare bones version of the rules of the original tabletop role playing game.
Starting out you only have command of a small village that you must turn into a stronghold (hence the name). You build your village up and add and upgrade different buildings and ‘neighborhoods’. You can also recruit and train units comprised of different classes of fantasy folk. You can then send your units out into the world to fight monsters or gather resources. There are a few different ways to play and ultimately ‘win’ this game, it just depends on your play style. If you want to pursue the ‘Lawful’ path you can focus on building up your city and advance to the rank of Emperor. Should you choose the ‘Chaotic’ path your ultimate goal is to destroy all of your enemies. There is also door number 3 where you can choose to be ‘Neutral’ and do both. How you play and manage your game is up to you, right down to the ability to micromanage to your heart’s content. Though if you would rather not, the computer can take care of it for you. No matter which road you choose, it will be a challenging one.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 18 February 2017, 5:53 pm
Written and designed by Roberta Williams, King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella is the fourth game in the King's Quest series. It was released in 1998 for PC. The Amiga and Atari ST versions were published in 1990.
It's the first game of the series with a female protagonist (Rosella), and it was also the first to use the new "SCI" engine created by Sierra-On-Line for their graphics adventures. The new engine made much better graphics possible compared to King's Quest III: To Heir is Human and all the older chapters. One significant difference was the screen resolution of 320x200 pixels instead of 160x200.
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