Explore the thrilling world of Tempest Rising, the heir to Command & Conquer, where epic battles and engaging mechanics await!
A Long-Awaited Return to RTS Gaming
Looking at the calendar can be quite shocking. When was the last time we got our hands on a groundbreaking RTS? We're talking about a campaign that's not only interesting but also features a multiplayer mode where you could easily lose yourself for hundreds of hours. It's the kind of game that lets you sharpen various strategies, climb up the rankings, and review your match replays. The genre is ripe for exploration!
It's a bittersweet realization that Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath launched back in 2008, and StarCraft 2 is turning 15 this summer. The golden age of RTS seems like a distant memory, one where even getting near a computer was a challenge. The genre is currently not in its best shape, and gamers are left wondering what happened. Sure, there are experimental games popping up, but they lack the thrill of the epic battles between GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod or the Protoss and Zerg.
Now, onto the scene comes Tempest Rising, not just a spiritual successor to Red Alert and Command & Conquer. It feels like a genuine reboot of the real-time strategy genre. Even the legendary composer Frank Klepacki has picked up his guitar to blow our minds with insane riffs. So, did Slipgate Ironworks manage to redefine RTS and come up with something fresh? Let’s dive into this review.
Who Are We Fighting For, Commander?
In Tempest Rising, there are two warring factions - the Global Defense Forces (GDF) and the Tempest Dynasty. While the factions don’t directly represent real-world countries, the character names, their mannerisms, and uniform colors speak volumes. The GDF acts as the American, Scandinavian, and Western European forces, whereas the Tempest Dynasty may feel more familiar to some gamers. The military bases in Voronezh and Krasnodar, along with the occasional broken Russian accent in the English dialogue, signify that these are indeed our comrades.
The stylish introductory video delivers a brief that sets the tone. Our beloved planet has seen the outbreak of World War III, triggered by the Caribbean Crisis and the use of nuclear weapons. Yet, the global apocalypse didn’t seem that terrible once a new resource - Tempest - emerged, prompting both factions to engage in yet another war.
Choosing a Side in the Conflict
In the story campaign, you'll have to choose a side, with about a dozen missions available for each faction. The missions range from tutorial tasks to full-blown battles, featuring the classic RTS mechanics of base building, unit purchases, and enemy annihilation. Secondary tasks are also present, which you can complete at your discretion. Ignoring them, however, might not be wise, as exploring locations and gathering secrets rewards you with skill points for troop upgrades on the global map and new research branches.
Overall, the delivery of the story campaigns doesn’t stray far from Red Alert 3. You can expect the same briefings, character interactions, and plot clarifications. However, the scantily clad women with sniper rifles are nowhere to be found. But who cares about the story, right? Let’s move on and check out what Tempest Rising has in store for the gameplay!
Bringing Back My 2008
When I first jumped into the game, I didn’t rush to check out the campaign. Instead, I dove straight into a match against a bot on a 1x1 map. I skipped the tutorial, without any knowledge of the units and their nuances. Once the match loaded, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. Familiar structures from Command & Conquer, the orderly construction of buildings, and harvesters were slowly moving to mine resources. Meanwhile, the first infantry units were rushing across the map to scout the enemy's activities. Reconnaissance is the commander’s primary weapon.
The setting might be different, the units have new lines, and the graphics have improved thanks to the trendy Unreal Engine 5. However, if you’ve played a couple of dozen matches in Command & Conquer, it’s like riding a bike—you never forget. But I might have jumped the gun by choosing the maximum difficulty level.
The computer, playing as the GDF, rolled over the overconfident gamer with unique unit abilities, disabling half of the Tempest Dynasty's tanks with electronics and crushing infantry under its treads. Ignoring the minimal training wasn’t a smart move. The game needs a reference guide or an encyclopedia for different unit types and their characteristics.
The Soundtrack That Gets Your Blood Pumping
When I learned that Frank Klepacki, the genius behind the legendary Command & Conquer tracks, was responsible for the music in Tempest Rising, I felt a wave of relief. But the developers decided to break free from the C&C legacy and showcase their own vision for the game’s soundtrack.
So, how does the music in Tempest Rising sound? It’s reminiscent of the marching cadence of Soviet soldiers in Hell March from Red Alert, combined with classic Frank Klepacki motifs, all blended with heavy guitar riffs in the djent-metal style of DOOM, reminiscent of Mick Gordon’s work. When one of the tracks kicked in during an intense battle, it felt like a trailer for the upcoming DOOM: The Dark Ages or a recently announced remake of Painkiller. There are over two hours of music in Tempest Rising, which will surely resonate with players. Klepacki even penned the track Leading the Assault, evoking memories of the old C&C days. In the heat of battle, you might find yourself wiping away nostalgic tears.
Online Mode Can Be Painful
The situation regarding multiplayer is a bit ambiguous. The online player count is decent, peaking at around 10k. However, most players stick to the campaign or train against bots. If you want to find a game, quick match is the way to go. Be prepared for complete randomness in skill levels—it's possible to get thrown into a match with another newbie or a former top-10 player from Kane's Wrath. That's when things can get quite painful.
The situation with private sessions is tricky too. Maybe it was just my luck, but 90% of the servers had a ping hovering around 9999. In RTS games, internet connectivity is just as crucial as in shooters or competitive MMOs. This is one aspect that needs urgent attention from the developers, along with the introduction of ranked matches. New players should be in their own pool, while esports contenders battle for ladder positions.
After a fun and frantic match, you start to realize that everything in the game feels right. Everything is in its place. You remember the late nights spent with your brother playing Red Alert 3 on old computers, and in Tempest Rising, you manage to pull off your signature strategy once again. He insists that Generals is the best part of Command & Conquer. Isn’t this exactly what fans have been waiting for? Here lies a rather debatable situation.
Not a Reboot of the RTS Genre, But a Second Chance for It
The more time you spend in Tempest Rising, the more you realize that there’s criminally little new in the game. The strategy feels like a grand, lovingly crafted remake of Command & Conquer. Every pixel and texture in Tempest Rising is made with respect for the original source material. Yet, at the same time, you recognize that RTS games, in this format, are still treading water. The mechanics remain the same, albeit with a fresh coat of paint.
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Nostalgic gamers finally have a worthy replacement for their worn-out titles, while newcomers, thanks to the more accessible entry point, can familiarize themselves with a less popular genre and try something new. However, calling Tempest Rising a reboot of strategies is a stretch. It’s more like a defibrillator shock, attempting to draw the industry’s attention back to RTS, diverting gamers from endless gacha-action titles, battle royales, extraction shooters, and one-off mobile projects.
And you know what? It’s worth supporting developers in this endeavor. Let Tempest Rising’s online community grow day by day, let sales break records, paving the way for a sequel that brings truly fresh ideas. Because the RTS genre deserves to live and rise from its slumber—maybe that beautiful day has finally come.
Rating: 8.5/10
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- What is the main premise of Tempest Rising? Tempest Rising pits two factions against each other in a war for a new resource called Tempest, set against the backdrop of a world at war.
- How does the gameplay compare to classic RTS titles? The gameplay draws heavily from classic RTS mechanics, allowing players to build bases, command units, and engage in strategic battles similar to older titles.
- Who composed the soundtrack for the game? The soundtrack was composed by Frank Klepacki, known for his iconic work on the Command & Conquer series.
- What are the multiplayer options in Tempest Rising? The game offers online multiplayer, but players should be prepared for varying skill levels and potential connectivity issues.
- Can new players easily get into Tempest Rising? Yes, the game features a more accessible entry point for newcomers, making it a good introduction to the RTS genre.
