Tempest Rising

A loving homage to classic Command & Conquer, Tempest Rising's single-player campaign brings back the fast-paced RTS gameplay but can't quite recapture the campy vibe

Unashamedly retro in spirit yet modern where it counts, Tempest Rising is a riveting flashback to the halcyon days of the RTS.

Calling Tempest Rising "familiar but fun" sounds damning, but it's the most accurate way to describe it. Most of what Tempest Rising does, it does very well. There's nothing particularly exciting about it, and it's all been done before.

Developer Slipgate Ironworks provided an experience that nobody knew they actually wanted and this is perfectly modernizing an old formula

This is the Command & Conquer sequel we never got. It scratches an itch that has been ignored for too long. It’s fast, fun, and filled with the kind of soul that modern "bloated garbage" lacks. While it has some AI quirks and balance issues, the core gameplay loop is so satisfying that you likely won't care. If you grew up playing RTS games, buying this is a no-brainer. Welcome back to the battlefield, Commander. – Flare

A loving tribute to classic strategy, Tempest Rising nails the fundamentals of base-building and tactical warfare. While its ambitions stop short of reinvention, its clarity, pacing, and polish make it one of the most enjoyable RTS releases in years.

Tempest Rising is a game that will surely please dinosaurs like me who miss Command & Conquer but want to see its dusty pages presented with a modern aesthetic and comfort.

Combining nostalgia and challenge in the right way, Tempest Rising proves that war strategy games not only still have a place in the market, but can also be unmissable experiences, capable of winning over new and old fans alike.

I can only say I'm satisfied with Tempest Rising. It's true that the multiplayer mode is still in its early stages, with necessary balancing needed both in terms of AI and factions, but the single-player campaign already offers between 20 and 30 hours of pure fun through two compelling and convincing narrative paths. Slipgate Ironworks has managed to breathe new life into a genre—real-time strategy games—that is largely underrated these days. To do so, they took the best from the past and applied modern concepts of gameplay and quality of life in a smart and convincing way. The result is a game that respectfully positions itself as a valid alternative to EA and Blizzard titles, which are currently less present in the gaming landscape. Tempest Rising also proves that it's still possible to create something new, even when inevitable comparisons are made with the legendary titles of the genre. At this point, I’m just looking forward to seeing how the single-player campaign will evolve in future expansions or sequels, and to trying out the multiplayer component once it’s fully developed and ready for those who enjoy competitive battles against other players.

Tempest Rising is a must-own for fans of Command and Conquer and RTS games and I cannot wait to see what they do next.