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The moment I launched the Tempest Rising demo, nostalgia hit me hard. The opening cinematic — complete with cheesy dialogue from heavily armored soldiers and a nervous scientist — instantly put a grin on my face. The soundtrack, user interface, and unit designs transported me back to high school nights spent playing Command & Conquer with friends, fueled by Mountain Dew, taco-flavored Pringles, and sheer sleep-deprived determination. Capturing that classic RTS magic while incorporating modern refinements makes Tempest Rising feel both fresh and familiar, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks delivers at launch. Whether battling AI opponents in Skirmish mode or testing my skills in Ranked Multiplayer, playing Tempest Rising feels as natural as grabbing my trusty old baseball glove.
A Purposeful Throwback
The developers consciously designed Tempest Rising as a love letter to classic 90s and 2000s RTS games while incorporating contemporary quality-of-life improvements. Set in an alternate 1997 where the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into World War III, the game depicts a world ravaged by nuclear fallout. Amid the devastation, mysterious flowering vines containing massive electrical energy reserves emerge, becoming the prize in humanity's battle for survival.
Tempest Rising Screenshots
Faction Deep Dive
While my preview build focused exclusively on multiplayer, the full release will feature two replayable 11-mission campaigns — one for each primary faction. The Tempest Dynasty (TD) represents Eastern European and Asian nations devastated by WWIII, while the Global Defense Forces (GDF) unite Western allies. A mysterious third faction remains undisclosed.
The Tempest Dynasty immediately captivated me, partly due to their absurdly entertaining Tempest Sphere — a rolling death machine that flattens infantry foes. More strategically, they utilize rotating "Plans" that provide faction-wide bonuses:
- Logistics Plan: Accelerated construction/resource gathering
- Martial Plan: Combat boosts including rocket resistance
- Security Plan: Economic advantages with expanded radar
This system creates engaging gameplay rhythms — expanding economy under Logistics, rapid building during Security phases, then switching to Martial for assaults.
Innovative Mechanics
The Dynasty's mobile Tempest Rigs revolutionize traditional resource gathering — these autonomous harvesters can roam freely, enabling risky but rewarding expeditions deep into enemy territory.
One particularly devious unit is the Salvage Van, which offers standard repairs... or can convert to dismantle nearby vehicles (even enemy ones) for resource recovery. Sneaking these behind enemy lines became my favorite sabotage tactic.
Dynasty power plants can enter Distribution Mode, boosting nearby buildings' capabilities at the cost of structural integrity — a risky gambit that must be carefully managed.
Global Defense Forces
While I prefer the Dynasty, the GDF offers compelling strategic depth centered on battlefield control. Their Marking mechanic creates rewarding synergies:
- Marked enemies drop Intel (advanced currency)
- Tech upgrades enable stacking debuffs on marked targets
- Special abilities create potent area effects
Both factions feature three distinct tech trees and powerful cooldown abilities unlocked via advanced structures. The GDF particularly shines with spy drones, remote construction beacons, and tactical suppression abilities.
Looking Ahead
The Dynasty's building vulnerability emphasizes defensive play — their Lockdown ability prevents hostile takeovers (while immobilizing structures). Meanwhile, the Field Infirmary ability enables strategic healing deployments.
With smart AI opponents employing hit-and-run tactics and planned Custom Lobbies for cooperative play against bots, Tempest Rising's launch promises deep strategic possibilities. Until then, I'll satisfy my nostalgia by crushing AI foes with waves of Tempest Spheres.
