Tempest Rising is a reliable bet of an RTS game—and although that’s not necessarily a negative, it does prevent it from making quite as much of a splash as it could. There’s enjoyment to be had, especially for RTS fans in search of something different that is still old-school, but the game never gets much out of its comfort zone. With superb mission design and a grand concept, it could have been “more than just another RTS.”
Alternate History, Familiar Gameplay
Set in an alternate timeline where the Cuban Missile Crisis erupted into nuclear conflict, Tempest Rising envisions a world forty years later, gripped by a new war over a mysterious supernatural energy source sweeping through Europe. This strange, tentacle-like proliferation has replaced fossil fuels, setting new tensions between the world powers.
It’s an interesting idea on paper, and one which mirrors other new titles using actual history as a springboard for alternate histories. But Tempest Rising quickly forgoes the historical aspect for more conventional sci-fi conflict. The premise sounds like an excuse for bringing flash to otherwise bland warfare instead of being entirely developed or integrated.
Despite that, the game does attempt to give each mission a framework of narrative. Your commanding officers have generic agendas, and the rising power of the Global Defense Force in Europe has some implicit commentary on U.S. post-war domination. Players choose between the two GDF (thinly veiled U.S. equivalent) or the Tempest Dynasty (coalition of European powers resisting foreign occupation), and while their perspective is altered, the narrative avoids reducing them to simplistic “good vs. evil” archetypes.
Tried and True. Maybe Too True
Combat in Tempest Rising is competent, if uninspired. You’ll deploy a familiar lineup of infantry, flamethrowers, tanks, and rocket troops. Each unit type serves its expected function—flamethrowers clear bunkers, rockets take out vehicles, etc.—but it all feels extremely familiar. If you’ve played Command & Conquer or Company of Heroes, you’ll know what to expect.
That wouldn’t be a problem if Tempest Rising brought something new to the table—but it doesn’t. In fact, it lacks some of the contemporary niceties its peers have. Primarily, cover mechanics are absent, so terrain is largely incidental to strategy. Units won’t get a defensive advantage from walls and environmental structures, and the only thing you can really do with them is blow them up. Unit icons and tooltips are also infuriatingly small and difficult to read, even on a large monitor.
Smart Mission Design Saves the Day
Where Tempest Rising lacks in fresh ideas, it makes up somewhat with clever level design. Publisher Slipgate Ironworks clearly went to some effort to craft more than just skirmish missions. Even the tutorial has branching goals—you can assault the enemy base or go off-route to rescue militia troops to add to your defense.
This design keeps the campaign going. Optional challenges pay risk with tangible rewards, and follow-up missions even let you appropriate and utilize enemy technology on them. These are design choices that provide variety and strategic richness to what might otherwise be a typical RTS experience.
Final Verdict: Familiar, Functional, and a Bit Forgettable
Describing Tempest Rising as “familiar but fun” feels reductive, but it’s accurate. It does most things well, but doesn’t push the genre forward in any meaningful way. If you’re a fan of classic RTS games and want a modern entry that sticks closely to the formula, you’ll find enjoyment here. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
Tempest Rising has released on PC via Steam and GeForce Now. The review that follows was played through a PC copy provided by the publisher.