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 hardened 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. Slipgate Ironworks has masterfully recreated that feeling in a modern context, and I'm eager to see what they unveil at launch and beyond. Whether battling AI in Skirmish or facing off against human opponents in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt instantly familiar and comfortable.

This nostalgic experience is no accident. The developers explicitly aimed to create an RTS game reminiscent of 90s and 2000s classics, enhanced with modern quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997, following a devastating World War 3 sparked by the Cuban Missile Crisis, Tempest Rising introduces a unique element: energy-rich vines that thrive in the nuclear fallout, providing 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 promises two replayable 11-mission campaigns, one for each main faction: the Tempest Dynasty (TD) and the Global Defense Forces (GDF). A third faction remains undisclosed.

The Tempest Dynasty immediately captivated me, not just for the amusing Tempest Sphere (a death-dealing vehicle that crushes infantry), but also for its unique "Plans" system. These Plans activate faction-wide bonuses, offering strategic flexibility. Switching between the Logistics Plan (for faster building and resource gathering), the Martial Plan (for enhanced unit attack and defense), and the Security Plan (for reduced unit and building costs) created a dynamic and engaging gameplay loop.

The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs, which autonomously harvest resources, further enhance its aggressive expansion strategy. Deploying these rigs to distant locations provided a secure and steady income stream. The Salvage Van, capable of both repairing and destroying vehicles, added a layer of tactical deception. Finally, the ability to switch power plants to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed, proved incredibly useful.

While I favored the Dynasty, the GDF offers a compelling alternative, focusing on allied buffs, enemy debuffs, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, combined with Doctrine upgrades, provides powerful tactical advantages.

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Both factions boast three tech trees, offering diverse strategic options. In addition to the tech trees, powerful cooldown abilities, activated by constructing specific advanced buildings, add another layer of strategic depth.

The Dynasty's vulnerability to base losses is countered by the Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers. The Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, proved invaluable.

There's much more to explore, and I eagerly anticipate the full release, especially the Custom Lobbies feature for cooperative play against challenging AI opponents. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, happily crushing bots with my army of death balls.