Tempest Rising Preview: A Nostalgic RTS Throwback

Tempest Rising: A Nostalgic RTS Masterpiece in the Making

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 late nights playing Command & Conquer with friends fueled by sugary drinks and sleep deprivation. This modern take on a classic RTS is a blast from the past, and I'm eager to see what Slipgate Ironworks delivers 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 aimed to create an RTS 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 energy-rich, strange vines.

Tempest Rising Screenshots

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The preview build focused solely on multiplayer, leaving the story mode a mystery for now. However, we know it will boast 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 secrecy, unavailable in the demo or at launch.

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 gathering), Martial (increased unit attack speed and explosive resistance), and Security (reduced unit and building costs, enhanced repair, and expanded radar), offer strategic flexibility. I found a satisfying rhythm cycling through these plans to optimize resource gathering, construction, and offensive capabilities.

Unlike the GDF's stationary refineries, the TD employs mobile Tempest Rigs to harvest resources, enabling a highly effective "fast expand" strategy. Deploying these rigs to distant locations provided a safe and consistent income stream. The Salvage Van, a unique unit capable of both repairing and destroying vehicles for resource acquisition, added another layer of strategic depth. Power plants can switch to Distribution Mode, boosting nearby building construction and attack speed at the cost of taking damage—a risk mitigated by the automatic shutdown at critical health.

While I favored the TD, the GDF offers a compelling alternative, focusing on buffing allies, debuffing enemies, and battlefield control. The Marking mechanic, where units mark targets for debuffs and increased Intel gain upon defeat, is particularly effective when combined with Doctrine upgrades.

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Both factions boast three tech trees, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. In addition to the tech trees, powerful cooldown abilities, activated by constructing specific advanced buildings, add another layer of strategic depth. The TD's Lockdown ability, preventing enemy takeovers but temporarily disabling the building, and the Field Infirmary, a mobile healing zone, are particularly useful.

The prospect of future Custom Lobbies with friends and the challenging AI opponents keeps me eagerly anticipating the full release. Until then, I'll be content crushing bots with my army of death balls.