So, there are projects like these;
https://github.com/ihhub/fheroes2
Projects that in one way or another aim to modernize a classic, or try make it more playable on modern machine, or just try to expand on things (like gzdoom does)
what other projects are out there in a similar vein?
I find this a little difficult to search for, even with specific terms (i tried finding myself)
so many choices coming in, thank you for the contribution
Also found this buried in my bookmarks!
https://trilarion.github.io/opensourcegames/index.html
now thats a treasure trove
https://osgameclones.com/ is also a good one
bu gawd, thats lie the library of alexandria, thank you