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 thrilled to see what Slipgate Ironworks has planned for the full release. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or facing off against 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 channeled 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 ravaged by nuclear war and overrun by strange, energy-rich vines.
Tempest Rising Screenshots
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The demo focused solely on multiplayer, so 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), 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. A third faction remains shrouded in mystery, unavailable in the demo or at launch.
I gravitated towards the Tempest Dynasty, largely due to their amusing Tempest Sphere – a death-dealing vehicle 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 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 by cycling through these Plans, boosting my economy, accelerating construction, and then launching devastating offensives.
The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently and relocate as needed, greatly facilitated my preferred "fast expand" strategy. Deploying these Rigs to distant locations allowed for uninterrupted resource gathering, providing a steady income without detection.
The Salvage Van, a dual-purpose unit capable of repairing or destroying vehicles, added another layer of strategic depth. Ambushing opponents and destroying their units with the Salvage Van proved to be a highly effective tactic.
Dynasty power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, accelerating construction and attack speed of nearby buildings (some upgraded buildings even have cannons!), although this mode leaves them vulnerable. The system cleverly prevents self-destruction by halting the effect at critical health.
While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF offers a compelling alternative, focusing on allied buffs, enemy debuffs, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, where units mark enemies for debuffs and Intel drops (used for advanced units and structures), is particularly effective with certain Doctrine upgrades.
Tempest Rising3D Realms Wishlist
Both factions boast three tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. In addition to tech trees, constructing advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities that significantly impact battles. The GDF, for instance, can deploy spy drones, create building beacons, and temporarily disable enemy vehicles.
The Dynasty's fewer, upgradeable buildings make losing structures costly. The Lockdown ability prevents enemy takeovers, but temporarily disables the building. The Field Infirmary, a deployable healing zone, proved invaluable in supporting the Dynasty's unique infantry and repair vehicles.
I eagerly anticipate the full release, especially the Custom Lobbies for cooperative play against challenging AI. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, crushing AI opponents with my army of death balls.
