Tempest Rising: Classic RTS Nostalgia Rises Again

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 hardened soldiers and a nervous scientist, instantly brought a smile to my face. The music, user interface, and unit designs perfectly captured the essence of classic Command & Conquer, transporting me back to countless late nights fueled by caffeine, snacks, and the thrill of competitive gameplay. Slipgate Ironworks has masterfully recreated that nostalgic feeling, and I'm eager to see what they have planned for the full release. Whether battling AI in Skirmish mode or facing off against human players in Ranked Multiplayer, Tempest Rising felt incredibly familiar and intuitive.

This nostalgic experience is no accident. The developers explicitly aimed to create an RTS game that evoked the spirit of 90s and 2000s classics, while incorporating 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, energy-rich vines that have sprung up in the aftermath of nuclear devastation. These plants provide a new power source, driving the conflict between the factions.

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The demo focused solely on multiplayer, leaving the story mode a mystery for now. 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 undisclosed.

The Tempest Dynasty immediately caught my attention, not only for its amusing "Tempest Sphere" – a rolling death machine that obliterates infantry – but also for its unique "Plans" system. These plans activate faction-wide bonuses, offering strategic flexibility. The Construction Yard can activate one plan at a time, requiring only sufficient power generation and a short cooldown.

The Logistics Plan boosts construction and resource harvesting speeds. The Martial Plan enhances unit attack speed and provides explosive resistance, while the Security Plan reduces unit and building costs and improves repair capabilities. I found a satisfying rhythm cycling through these plans, optimizing my economy, construction, and offensive capabilities.

This adaptability extends to other aspects of the Dynasty. Instead of stationary refineries, they utilize Tempest Rigs – mobile harvesters that move to resource fields, harvest until depletion, and then relocate. This streamlined approach simplifies expansion strategies, allowing for efficient resource gathering even at distant locations.

The Dynasty's Salvage Van is another highlight. It can repair vehicles or, in Salvage Mode, destroy enemy vehicles for resource gain, creating opportunities for tactical sabotage.

Dynasty power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, accelerating construction and attack speeds of nearby buildings (yes, some upgraded buildings have cannons!), albeit at the cost of taking damage. The self-preservation mechanism prevents accidental self-destruction.

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 gain (used for advanced units/structures), is particularly effective when combined with specific Doctrine upgrades.

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Both factions boast three tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. Beyond the tech trees, constructing specific advanced buildings unlocks powerful cooldown abilities that significantly impact battles. The GDF, for example, can deploy spy drones, create building beacons, and temporarily disable enemy vehicles.

The Dynasty's Lockdown ability prevents enemy building takeovers, but temporarily disables the building. The Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, proved invaluable.

I'm eagerly anticipating the full release, especially the Custom Lobbies for cooperative play against challenging AI opponents. Until then, I'll continue my solo campaign, crushing my robotic foes with overwhelming force.