Tempest Rising Reviews
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.
Developer Slipgate Ironworks provided an experience that nobody knew they actually wanted and this is perfectly modernizing an old formula
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.
Tempest Rising comes at a great time, with few classic-type RTS games making an appearance. Tempest Rising easily recreates the fun of those early games and their addictive mechanics. At the same time, it looks and runs like a current title. Two impressive campaigns and the potential for endless enjoyment via skirmishes equals an impressive and exciting return to a regretfully absent genre.
Let's party like it's 1998! Tempest Rising brings us back all the right memories of Command & Conquer, and it's a lot of fun at an adrenaline-filled pace.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Though on the surface it's a simple tribute to Command and Conquer, Tempest Rising breaks free of its influences with a visual style and mechanical flourishes all of its own. Its core ideas may work better in a smaller-scale tactics game rather than an RTS, but there are several missions where everything fits together.
Tempest Rising is a wonderful throwback to a genre that often feels forgotten in the modern age. With two well thought-out factions and great gameplay, it feels like the modern incarnation of Command & Conquer that has been missing in the modern gaming landscape.
Tempest Rising is a classic RTS with a campaign, a spiritual successor to Command & Conquer that painstakingly remakes all things we know from the past. It won’t make the publishers want to give us more games like this, but it is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy sky above RTS land. One that will make fans of C&C smile.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Tempest Rising brings a great deal of joy both in its mechanics and in the tactical component. However, it feels like the developers were too unsure to step away from the classic gameplay canvas when it comes to innovations.
Tempest Rising wears its C&C influence proudly, and while this overreliance on tradition limits its full potential, Slipgate Ironworks' overall effort is remarkable and must be celebrated.
Tempest Rising is a game lifted alive from the 1990s, but with contemporary ambitions and modern visuals. Unfortunately, my heart, as a Red Alert 2 fan, took a very uneven beating at times. Despite the beautiful packaging and solid foundation, too many minor flaws and untapped potentials weigh on this strategy. However, for a fan of classic RTSs - this is still an item worth checking out.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Tempest Rising is finally an RTS that will appeal to both veterans and younger players. It offers a very pleasant compromise between classic gameplay and modern processing. Don't expect a lot of originality, but there's no shortage of fun.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Tempest Rising successfully delivers on its promise of a classic RTS revival, blending nostalgia with smart updates and modern design. With great optimization, a catchy soundtrack, and well-crafted factions, it appeals to both Command & Conquer veterans and newcomers. While it could use more content, the game has strong potential for future growth and stands proudly alongside its legendary predecessors.
Review in Czech | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Slipgate Ironwokrs did what a lot deemed to be impossible, create a balance between a good “Command & Conquer Homage” and a spiritual successor. “Tempest Rising” is complex, but not overwhelming. Alongside a great campaign and a solid multiplayer, it’s a great start for 2025 in terms of Real Time Strategy games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Tempest Rising has a solid story and some interesting mechanics to keep things going. It has the potential to restart a past era and maybe spark some new interest in the old RTS games that we all know and love.
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.
Slipgate has managed to create a game that simultaneously breathes the '90s and feels like the 2020s — and that, in itself, is an achievement. It's not easy nowadays to convey the passion of this genre to new generations. If your heart skips a beat at the word “conyard”, you know what to do.
Review in Unknown | Read full review