There’s no escaping the fact that Tempest Rising feels like Command & Conquer. The way it looks, the way it plays, the story that you experience. All of these factors remind me of those glory days of the PC. Slipgate Ironworks has worn its inspirations proudly to create an RTS that feels familiar yet fresh. The challenge of claiming resources and defending against others is there, but it does so with plenty of routes to strategize your approach to each level.
In the wake of a nuclear war, two factions fight over a newly emerged resource that provides an untapped supply of fuel, and a powerful weapon for these militaries to harness. The campaign features two separate stories that follow two different factions. The Global Defence Force is an organisation whose peace-keeping approach and high-tech tactics are being challenged by the Tempest Dynasty, a dangerous force who have access to a wealth of firepower. Each campaign feels different, as do the two factions, and I loved every moment of them.
The missions in both campaigns feature varying objectives, but the core gameplay remains the same throughout. It is this structure that gives you opportunities to expand your strategy, make use of new units and machinery, and play around with just how to defend and attack. Mining tempest is a necessity because it provides cash to buy what you need. Spacing your base around defensive structures is always something to think about. However, all of this growth means nothing if you don’t have a strong army to defend it.
Holding positions around your base is important, but so is exploring the land for the enemy, as is gathering intel and new resources. You’ll be able to scout with drones, utilise a variety of tanks and vehicles, and spawn different types of infantry. Splitting these up to make good use of the heavy firepower from afar, or sneaking around carefully, are just scratching the surfaces. Right from the beginning, you’ll be playing out your own cinematic moments without even realising it.
I remember trying to destroy a Tempest Dynasty Construction Yard that was heavily fortified. I didn’t have a lot of access to some of spectacular tech and weaponry later seen in Tempest Rising at the time. My grenadiers were getting destroyed by this tank and a static rocket turret. With a constant supply of soldiers becoming nothing more than cannon fodder, I had to change my tactic. I took one lone soldier, snuck in behind enemy lines, and quietly managed to call in an air strike. The base was destroyed, and that soldier gave his life for the good of the cause.
The two single-player campaigns are different, but not just in their stories. The GDF is focused on precision and patience. New structures are constructed when placed, but the Tempest Dynasty construct in menu then get placed on the map. The GDF chooses to go in carefully, scout enemies, then make their move as close to the book as possible. Tempest Dynasty chooses a brazen blitzkrieg that stuns the enemy into submission with some of the coolest firepower I’ve seen in an RTS.
While there are opportunities to play online against others, the real highlight are the two campaigns. There are difficulty settings, but even on normal you’ll find it a challenge. Tempest Rising is difficult unless you plan everything down to the letter. Organisation is so important, from how you set up your base to where you place your units. Failing to plan is planning to fail, and every step of the campaign requires a solid plan. If you get that in your head from the get go, you’re in a way better stead to enjoy what the game is offering.
The presentation is stellar. When in the field, the design of the map feels authentic. The nuclear war ravaged the world, but pockets of beauty remain in the glimmer of this mysterious substance. Combat lights up the battlefield. The intricate design of buildings and vehicles continually looks impressive. Between missions, the familiar FMV sequences of C&C are now fully animated in-game, with characters being voiced by actors as opposed to watching them in the flesh. It’s all done so well, and I loved the way it looked, wherever I was.
Tempest Rising is a solid RTC with a great single-player campaign for each faction. Every mission throws something new at you, yet at the core is a basic strategy that has wings to spread how you go about achieving your goal. It’s a visual treat despite its murky setting. Cutscenes are smart, the planning stage before deployment adds great authenticity, and when you do get out there on the battlefield, the thrill of seeing your plans come to fruition, and better yet succeed, make every moment of failure worth it.
