Summary

  • Tempest Rising revives the classic Command & Conquer formula including two distinctive factions, an intriguing campaign, and modern production.
  • An enhanced version of the classic RTS gameplay with asymmetrical faction design varies mission objectives and strategy.
  • RTS veterans and newcomers can purchase this in the gaming market for $40.

A throwback strategy title is coming out on April 24, 2025, bringing the classic RTS gameplay into the modern era. However, they’ll be releasing Tempest Rising with a price tag of $40, making players ask whether it is worth it. Before you decide, take a glimpse at the title with this Tempest Rising Game review.

A Loving Homage to a Classic Formula

Tempest Rising practically serves as a revival of Command & Conquer. The game took place in 1997 after World War 3 amid the mysterious resource called Tempest. This center serves both as an environmental hazard and a valuable energy source for players. 

This setup pits two factions against each other to align with the game’s storyline. First is the Global Defense Force (GDF) which bears a resemblance to C&C’s GDI group. Meanwhile, the second faction is the Tempest Dynasty which took inspiration from the Brotherhood of Nod.

For its gameplay, it sticks with the traditional RTS formula. It requires you to establish a base, harvest resources, and build your army to destroy your enemies. However, Tempest Rising enhanced these classic elements to suit the taste of modern audiences. So, you can expect impressive campaigns to introduce you to concepts alongside mission objectives gradually. 

Asymmetrical Warfare Done Right

What elevates Tempest Rising above being a clone of Command & Conquer is its commitment to faction asymmetry. The featured factions function fundamentally differently from one another in every aspect of gameplay. They proved to be more than just the negating side of each other.

With GDF, they construct buildings on-site with blueprints that build over time. On the other hand, the Dynasty pre-builds structures to place them instantly. Besides, GDF uses dump trucks for refinery buildings while Dynasty employs mobile harvesting rigs. When it comes to combat, GDF relies on advanced technology and intelligence as Dynasty opts to strengthen firepower and unique units. These units include a giant metal sphere that can roll over and crush smaller units.

The factions also offer unique active abilities and special units to players. For GDF, they have a trebuchet or a tank that transforms into a powerful stationary cannon. Meanwhile, Dynasty has a salvage van that deploys a small construction center allowing building and automatic repair of damages.

Campaigns Actually Worth Your Time

Tempest Rising extended efforts to campaigns by making sure they remained significant to players. Rather than being an extension of tutorials, they offer missions with varying objectives including base destruction, convoy interception, and more strategic intervention.

In Dynasty, there’s a campaign mission that stands out after it suddenly pulls you from the frontline combat to handle a harvesting operation. Anything can go wrong at this moment and it’ll force you to be in an awfully intense situation. Meanwhile, GDF experienced campaigns like “Pull that Base Apart” where it slowly dismantled the enemy installation with a sniper and stealth hovertanks.

Regardless of factions, it presents encounters with the mysterious third faction, Veti, which is entirely different from the main ones. This twist serves as a big part of the core gameplay of the game especially in the final stages. 

Visual and Audio Excellence

Absolutely, Tempest Rising delivers excellent visuals for RTS with the vehicles kicking up dust as it rovers around. Even buildings collapse in satisfying explosions as aircraft dramatically spiral after getting shot. This quality of production ultimately helps bridge the gap between nostalgia and modern gaming. 

Other than its visuals, the game shines because of its soundtrack consisting of various musicians. It features artists like Frank Klepacki (the original C&C composer) and tracks such as “Death Squad”, and “Aegis.” These titles took inspiration from many music legends, especially in gaming. Also, the selection helps to establish the game’s own identity to the community.

Room for Improvement

While it might appear as a perfect Command & Conquer revival, there are still a few things to improve in Tempest Rising. While the game has functional inter-mission briefings, it lacks the charms of campy FMV sequences. Instead of having live actors, animated 3D models take charge of briefing between missions. 

Due to this, it fails to capture the personality of their inspiration like the Dynasty leader, “Aleks”. Although he was described as grumpy, he failed to assert his villainous presence in the game. Plus, the campaigns follow similar trajectories and reduce impact on the second time. Many also noticed the absence of a third faction in the multiplayer options.

Should You Buy It?

Whether you should buy it depends solely on your decision after reading this Tempest Rising game review. While it impressively relives the classic RTS gameplay from Command & Conquer, it remains lacking in some areas of the game. One of the notable things for players here is the outstanding distinctions between factions in the game, making it more interesting. So, you’ll certainly receive the uniquely fun gameplay adventure you want with the $40.