Tempest Rising Preview: An RTS That Takes Me Back to the ‘90s

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 spirit 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 planned for the full release. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or engaging in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt instantly 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, 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, leaving the story mode for later exploration. However, I learned 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 remains shrouded in mystery, unavailable in the demo or at launch.

The Tempest Dynasty immediately caught my attention, primarily due to its absurdly fun "Tempest Sphere" – a death-dealing vehicle that crushes infantry. The Dynasty also utilizes "Plans," faction-wide bonuses activated through the Construction Yard. These plans (Logistics, Martial, and Security) offer strategic flexibility, allowing for dynamic shifts between economic growth, rapid construction, and enhanced combat capabilities. The 30-second cooldown between plan switches adds a layer of tactical depth.

The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which harvest resources independently, facilitate a streamlined expansion strategy. Their ability to relocate after depleting a resource field makes them invaluable for securing resources without jeopardizing the main base.

The Salvage Van, a versatile unit capable of both repairing and destroying vehicles, adds a unique layer of strategic deception. The ability to stealthily destroy enemy vehicles for resource gain is incredibly satisfying.

Power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting construction and attack speed of nearby buildings at the cost of taking damage – a risk-reward mechanic that adds another dimension to gameplay.

While I favored the Tempest Dynasty, the GDF offers a compelling alternative. Their focus on buffing allies, debuffing enemies, and battlefield control, particularly through the Marking mechanic, provides a different strategic approach. Marked enemies provide Intel upon defeat, and Doctrine upgrades enhance the effectiveness of this mechanic.

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Each faction boasts three tech trees, offering diverse strategic options. Beyond the tech trees, constructing advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities, further enhancing strategic depth.

The Dynasty's Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers but temporarily disabling the building, adds a crucial defensive element. The Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, complements the Dynasty's already strong repair and support capabilities.

Tempest Rising offers a wealth of strategic depth and replayability. The ability to join Custom Lobbies with friends at launch, and the challenging AI opponents, promise countless hours of engaging gameplay. Until then, I'll happily continue squishing bots with my army of Tempest Spheres.