Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Revival

Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Masterpiece

From the moment I launched the Tempest Rising demo, I was hooked. The opening cinematic, complete with cheesy dialogue from heavily armored soldiers and a nervous scientist, instantly brought a smile to my face. The music, UI, and unit designs perfectly captured the essence of my high school days spent playing Command & Conquer with friends – fueled by Mountain Dew, Pringles, and a healthy dose of sleep deprivation. This game expertly recreates that feeling, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks has planned for the full release. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or facing off against human opponents in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising feels incredibly familiar and comfortable.

This nostalgic experience is no coincidence. The developers explicitly aimed to create an RTS game reminiscent of 90s and 2000s classics, while incorporating the quality-of-life improvements expected in modern titles. Set in an alternate 1997, where the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into World War 3, Tempest Rising introduces a unique element: strange, electrically charged vines that emerge from the nuclear fallout, providing a new energy source.

Tempest Rising Screenshots

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The demo focused solely on multiplayer, leaving the story mode – featuring two 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction – for later exploration. The Tempest Dynasty (TD), an alliance of Eastern European and Asian nations devastated by WW3, and the Global Defense Forces (GDF), a coalition of the US, Canada, and Western Europe, are the playable factions in the preview. A third faction remains shrouded in mystery.

I gravitated towards the Tempest Dynasty, largely due to their amusing Tempest Sphere – a rolling death machine that obliterates infantry. The Dynasty also utilizes "Plans," faction-wide bonuses activated through the Construction Yard. These Plans, such as Logistics (faster building and resource gathering), Martial (increased unit attack speed and explosive resistance), and Security (reduced unit and building costs, improved repair), offer strategic flexibility. I found a satisfying rhythm cycling through these plans to optimize resource gathering, construction, and offense.

The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently, greatly simplify expansion strategies. Their ability to move freely makes them ideal for securing resources in remote, less-contested areas. The Salvage Van, a versatile unit that can repair or destroy vehicles for resource gain, adds another layer of tactical depth. Ambushing opponents and reclaiming their vehicles proved surprisingly effective.

Power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage – a risk worth taking for a significant advantage.

While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF offers a compelling alternative, focusing on buffing allies, weakening enemies, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, where units mark targets for debuffs and Intel gain, is particularly effective when combined with specific Doctrine upgrades.

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Both factions boast three tech trees and powerful cooldown abilities accessed through advanced buildings, adding strategic depth and unique playstyles. The Dynasty's Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers but temporarily disabling the building, and the Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, are particularly useful.

The upcoming launch will include Custom Lobbies, allowing for cooperative play against challenging AI. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, happily crushing bots with my army of death balls.