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, immediately brought a smile to my face. The music, UI, 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 modern take on a classic RTS is a blast from the past, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks delivers at launch and beyond. Whether battling bots in Skirmish or engaging in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt as natural as slipping on a well-worn glove.
This nostalgic experience is intentional. The developers aimed to create an RTS game reminiscent of 90s and 2000s classics, enhanced with modern quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997, following a Cuban Missile Crisis escalation into World War 3, the game unfolds in a world reshaped by nuclear fallout and strange, energy-rich vines.
Tempest Rising Screenshots
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As the preview build focused solely on multiplayer, the story mode remains a mystery for now. However, it will feature two 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction: the Tempest Dynasty (TD) and the Global Defense Forces (GDF). A third faction exists, but details are yet to be revealed.
The Tempest Dynasty immediately captivated me, largely due to the hilariously destructive 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, enhanced repair), offer strategic flexibility. I found a satisfying rhythm switching between these plans for optimal resource management, construction, and offense.
The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently, further enhance its fast-expansion capabilities. Deploying these units to distant locations provides a secure and reliable income stream.
The Salvage Van, a versatile unit capable of both repairing and destroying vehicles for resource gain, adds another layer of strategic depth. Ambushing unsuspecting opponents and reclaiming their resources proved incredibly satisfying.
Power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage – a calculated risk for a significant advantage.
While the Tempest Dynasty is my personal favorite, the GDF offers a compelling alternative, focusing on buffing allies, debuffing enemies, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, where units mark targets for debuffs and Intel gain, is particularly effective.
Tempest Rising3D Realms Wishlist
Each faction features three tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. In addition to the tech trees, powerful cooldown abilities, activated by constructing specific buildings, add another layer of strategic depth.
The Dynasty's Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers but temporarily disabling the building, is a crucial defensive tool. The Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, complements the Dynasty's strong repair capabilities.
The upcoming launch promises Custom Lobbies for cooperative gameplay against challenging AI opponents. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, happily crushing my bot enemies with swarms of Tempest Spheres.
