Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Revival for Strategy Fans

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, user interface, and unit designs perfectly captured the essence of my high school days, spent late nights playing Command & Conquer with friends, fueled by sugary drinks and 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 mode or facing off against other players in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt incredibly familiar and comfortable.

This nostalgic experience is no accident. The developers aimed to create a real-time strategy (RTS) game that evokes the classics of the 90s and 2000s, while incorporating modern quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997, where the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into World War 3, Tempest Rising unfolds in a world reshaped by nuclear fallout and strange, energy-rich vines.

Tempest Rising Screenshots

8 Images

The preview build focused solely on multiplayer, so I'll have to wait for the full release to experience the story mode, which will feature two 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction. 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 both playable. A third faction remains shrouded in mystery for now.

I gravitated towards the Tempest Dynasty, partly due to their amusing Tempest Sphere—a rolling death machine that crushes infantry. The Dynasty also utilizes "Plans," faction-wide bonuses activated through the Construction Yard. These plans—Logistics (faster building and resource harvesting), 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 offensive capabilities.

The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently, made rapid expansion incredibly easy. Deploying them to distant locations provided a safe and reliable income stream. The Salvage Van, a unit that can repair or destroy vehicles for resource gain, added another layer of strategic depth. I enjoyed ambushing opponents, destroying their vehicles, and reclaiming their resources. Finally, Dynasty power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage—a risk I was willing to take for the significant advantages.

While I favored the Dynasty, the GDF's focus on buffing allies and debuffing enemies, especially through the Marking mechanic, was compelling. Marked enemies provide Intel upon defeat, and Doctrine upgrades enhance these debuffs, significantly impacting combat.

Tempest Rising3D RealmsApr 24, 2025 Wishlist

Both factions boast three tech trees, offering diverse strategic options. In addition to the tech trees, constructing specific advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities that can dramatically shift the tide of battle.

The Dynasty's fewer, upgradeable buildings make losing structures costly, but the Lockdown ability prevents enemy takeovers. The Field Infirmary, a deployable healing zone, proved invaluable.

There's much more to explore, and I'm particularly excited about the custom lobbies for cooperative play against challenging AI. Until then, I'll be content crushing bots with my army of death balls.