Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Experience That Delivers
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 units 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 modern take on a classic RTS is a blast from the past, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks has in store for the full release. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or facing off against human players in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt instantly familiar and comfortable.
This nostalgic feel is intentional. The developers aimed to create an RTS reminiscent of 90s and 2000s classics, enhanced with modern quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997, where the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into World War 3, Tempest Rising introduces a unique element: strange, electrically charged vines that thrive in the post-nuclear landscape. These plants become a crucial energy source, driving the conflict.
Tempest Rising Screenshots
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The demo focused solely on multiplayer, leaving the story mode a mystery for now. However, we know it will include two 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction:
- The Tempest Dynasty (TD): An alliance of Eastern European and Asian nations, heavily impacted by WW3.
- The Global Defense Forces (GDF): A coalition of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.
A third faction remains undisclosed, awaiting reveal in the full campaign.
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 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 for optimal resource management, construction, and offensive capabilities.
Unlike the GDF, which requires refineries for resource extraction, the Dynasty uses Tempest Rigs – mobile harvesters that move independently to resource fields, gather until depleted, and relocate. This facilitates aggressive expansion strategies, as the distance from the base is irrelevant. Deploying Rigs to distant locations proved a highly effective tactic for generating income without detection.
The Dynasty's Salvage Van is another standout unit. It can repair vehicles or switch to Salvage Mode, destroying nearby units (regardless of ownership) and reclaiming resources. Ambushing opponents and destroying their vehicles for a resource advantage was incredibly satisfying. Dynasty power plants can also shift to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage – a risk worth taking for a significant combat advantage.
While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF holds its own appeal. It emphasizes allied buffs, enemy debuffs, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, where units mark enemies for debuffs (reduced damage, increased damage taken, extended attack range) and Intel drops, creates powerful synergies.
Tempest Rising3D Realms Wishlist
Each faction boasts three tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. Beyond the tech trees, constructing specific advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities that can dramatically shift the battle's momentum. The GDF, for instance, can deploy spy drones and deployable building beacons. The Dynasty's Lockdown ability prevents enemy building takeovers, while the Field Infirmary provides crucial mobile healing.
The launch version will include custom lobbies, allowing for cooperative play against challenging AI opponents. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, crushing bots with my army of rolling death spheres.
