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 energy drinks, snacks, and a healthy dose of sleep deprivation. This game expertly recreates that feeling, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks delivers at launch and beyond. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or facing off against human opponents in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt incredibly comfortable and familiar.
This nostalgic experience is no accident. The developers aimed to create a real-time strategy (RTS) game that evoked the classic titles of the 90s and 2000s, while incorporating the quality-of-life improvements expected in modern games. Set in an alternate 1997, where the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into World War 3, Tempest Rising unfolds in a world transformed by strange, energy-rich vines that emerged after widespread nuclear devastation.
Tempest Rising Screenshots
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As the demo focused solely on multiplayer, I'll need to wait for the full release to experience the story mode, which will include two 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction. The Tempest Dynasty (TD) comprises an alliance of Eastern European and Asian nations devastated by WW3, while the Global Defense Forces (GDF) unites the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. A third, currently unannounced faction, will be revealed later.
I gravitated towards the Tempest Dynasty, largely due to their amusing Tempest Sphere – a rolling death machine that crushes enemy infantry. The Dynasty also utilizes "Plans," faction-wide bonuses activated through their Construction Yard. These plans, such as Logistics (faster building and resource harvesting), 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 by cycling through these plans to optimize my economy, construction, and offensive capabilities.
The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently, further enhance their rapid expansion capabilities. Deploying these rigs to distant locations proved a highly effective strategy for secure resource gathering. The Salvage Van, capable of both repairing and destroying enemy vehicles for resource gain, added another layer of tactical depth. Finally, the Dynasty's power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage – a risk I found worthwhile for the significant advantages.
While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF offers its own compelling strengths, focusing on allied buffs, enemy debuffs, and battlefield control. The GDF's Marking mechanic, which allows units to mark enemies for increased Intel gain and various debuffs, is particularly effective.
Tempest Rising3D Realms Wishlist
Both factions boast three distinct tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. Beyond the tech trees, constructing specific advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities that can significantly impact the battlefield. The GDF, for example, can deploy spy drones and beacons, and even temporarily disable enemy vehicles.
The Dynasty's fewer, upgradable buildings make losing structures more impactful, but the Lockdown ability mitigates this risk. The Field Infirmary, a deployable healing zone, proved invaluable.
With its deep strategic layers and nostalgic charm, Tempest Rising is a promising RTS title. The ability to join custom lobbies with friends at launch is particularly exciting. Until then, I'll be content crushing bots with my army of death balls.
