RTS Revived: 'Tempest Rising' Nostalgic Throwback

Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Masterpiece

From the moment I launched the Tempest Rising demo, I knew I was in for a treat. 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 units 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 thrilled to see what Slipgate Ironworks has planned for the full release. Whether battling bots 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 an RTS game that evoked the classics of the 90s and 2000s, while incorporating modern quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997, following a devastating World War 3 ignited by the Cuban Missile Crisis, the game introduces strange, energy-rich vines as a new power source.

Tempest Rising Screenshots

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The demo focused solely on multiplayer, leaving the story mode a mystery for now. However, it's promised to include two replayable 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction: the Tempest Dynasty (TD) and the Global Defense Forces (GDF). A third, currently unannounced faction, will be revealed later.

The Tempest Dynasty immediately captivated me, largely due to the hilarious Tempest Sphere, a rolling death machine that obliterates infantry. The Dynasty also utilizes "Plans," faction-wide bonuses activated through the Construction Yard. These Plans – 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. Switching between these Plans created a dynamic gameplay loop.

Unlike the GDF's stationary refineries, the Dynasty employs mobile Tempest Rigs for resource harvesting, enabling a highly effective "fast expand" strategy. Deploying these Rigs to distant locations proved a great way to secure resources without detection.

The Salvage Van, a versatile unit capable of both repair and enemy vehicle destruction for resource gain, added another layer of strategic depth. Ambushing unsuspecting opponents with this unit was incredibly satisfying.

Dynasty power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage – a thrilling risk/reward mechanic.

While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF's focus on buffs, debuffs, and battlefield control was equally compelling. The Marking mechanic, coupled with Doctrine upgrades, created powerful synergies.

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Both factions boast three tech trees and unique cooldown abilities, adding strategic depth and flavor. The Dynasty's Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers, and the Field Infirmary, providing mobile healing, are particularly noteworthy.

The prospect of Custom Lobbies with friends and the challenging AI bots has me eagerly anticipating the full release. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, crushing my digital foes with swarms of Tempest Spheres.