In an era dominated by battle royales and expansive RPGs, Tempest Rising dares to revive the traditional real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Developed by Slipgate Ironworks and 2B Games, and published by 3D Realms and Knights Peak, this April 2025 release channels the spirit of Command & Conquer while offering enough modern flair to feel fresh and relevant. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game merges nostalgic mechanics with slick presentation, aiming to satisfy both RTS veterans and newcomers alike.
Gameplay and Mechanics
At its core, Tempest Rising adheres closely to classic RTS design. Resource management, base building, tech trees, and unit micromanagement form the backbone of its gameplay loop. However, rather than simply mimicking the past, the developers have infused each element with refined balance and thoughtful innovation.
The game features two fully developed factions:
* Global Defense Force (GDF): A high-tech, precision-oriented military faction. Units include drones, artillery, and adaptable tanks. Their strength lies in strategic control and ranged superiority.
* Tempest Dynasty: A more brutal and aggressive faction that leverages Tempest-infused weapons, flamethrowers, and heavily fortified structures. They shine in close-quarters combat and overwhelming offense.
Each faction offers a distinct playstyle and a satisfying progression curve, with late-game units such as the GDF’s transforming Trebuchet tank and the Dynasty’s devastating Tempest Sphere adding tactical depth and visual spectacle.
Unit diversity and counterplay are well-executed, encouraging experimentation and adaptation across missions and skirmishes.
Campaign and Narrative
Set in an alternate 1997 after a nuclear World War III, Tempest Rising tells a tale of global instability fueled by the emergence of a mysterious new energy source: Tempest. The story is explored through two parallel 11-mission campaigns—one for each faction.
The campaigns are more than glorified tutorials. Mission objectives range from traditional base destruction to convoy defense and stealth operations, maintaining engagement throughout. The GDF campaign presents a grounded military perspective, while the Dynasty’s narrative introduces more exotic elements and moral ambiguity. Unexpected mission types—such as resource-harvesting under time pressure—help avoid repetition and keep players on their toes.
While not groundbreaking, the story does its job of providing context and motivation, with briefings and cutscenes that echo the charm of 90s FMV sequences.
Presentation: Audio and Visuals
Graphically, Tempest Rising impresses. The battlefield environments—filled with smoke, fire, and crumbling infrastructure—evoke a gritty post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Units are detailed, animations are fluid, and particle effects are crisp without overwhelming clarity. The visual design draws inspiration from Warhammer 40k, but stays grounded in its alternate-history theme.
Sound design is a highlight. Frank Klepacki, the legendary composer behind the Command & Conquer series, returns to contribute to the soundtrack. His tracks, including “Death Squad” and “Aegis,” perfectly complement the game’s tone, evoking tension and excitement in equal measure. Voice acting is functional, though occasionally stilted—an intentional nod to the genre’s roots, perhaps.
Multiplayer and Skirmish Modes
This is where Tempest Rising shows some cracks. Multiplayer currently supports only 1v1 ranked matches and 2v2/free-for-all custom lobbies across a limited selection of nine maps. While matchmaking is smooth, the content offering feels barebones compared to genre standards.
The third faction, Veti, is notably absent from multiplayer at launch, reducing strategic variety. Meanwhile, the AI in skirmish matches can feel overly passive, diminishing replay value for solo players seeking a challenge.
The developers have indicated future updates, but as it stands, the competitive ecosystem feels undercooked for a modern RTS release.
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
Tempest Rising is a commendable effort to reinvigorate a genre that has long needed fresh blood. Its tight, strategic gameplay and well-designed campaigns reflect a genuine love for classic RTS mechanics, while modern production values make it accessible to a new generation of players.
However, limited multiplayer support and questionable data policies keep it from achieving true greatness—at least for now. With post-launch support, it has the potential to become a pillar of the modern RTS landscape.
