Tempest Rising Review: Dominate the Field in 1 Hour ⏳🚀
Tempest Rising: A polished, powerful, and brilliant real-time strategy (RTS) game built with Unreal Engine 5 that redefines the classic genre on PC. 🎮✨ This PC-exclusive title recaptures the essence that defined the early days of RTS gaming, thanks to its strong focus on the single-player experience, something rare these days. Slipgate Ironworks and 3D Realms have created a gem that will thrill fans of the genre with a deep and immersive 22-mission campaign.
Campaign and Factions: Immersive strategy and narrative
Tempest Rising invites you to choose between two contrasting factions with unique play styles: the Global Defense Force, a high-tech force with synergistic tactics, and the Tempest Dynasty, which utilizes heavy weapons platforms and flamethrowers. This confrontation is reminiscent of classics like Command & Conquer, with a story centered around the fight for resources and territory following a devastating nuclear war that has spread the enigmatic "Tempest," an organic life form that acts as both fuel and weapon.
A dynamic and authentic narrative 📜
The moments between missions combine real-time cinematics with digital performances that place players at the center of an intense storyline, as they study animated maps and receive short videos introducing new units and challenges. These sequences provide context and depth, making the campaign feel organic and engaging.
Traditional RTS gameplay and dynamics with modern touches
In addition to the campaign, Tempest Rising offers AI skirmish modes and multiplayer, but its real selling point is its gameplay, which demands constant attention to resource acquisition, base expansion, and micro- and macro-management of units. The difficulty curve increases progressively, rewarding mastery with enriching challenges for veterans.
Inspirations from the genre with strategic innovations
While inheriting the essence of Command & Conquer, the game incorporates Blizzard elements with technological research, special abilities, and population limits, as well as bonus and reward mechanics outside of combat similar to Relic or Creative Assembly. This fusion creates a modern and challenging RTS experience.
Graphics and technical performance optimized with Unreal Engine 5 🎨🚀
The game uses Unreal Engine 5.4.3, offering DX11 and DX12 modes to maximize performance. It does not utilize advanced features like Nanite or Lumen, prioritizing fluidity in isometric gameplay and maintaining adequate visual details, such as detailed explosion effects and vehicle lighting, which enhance immersion.
Isometric perspective and iconic UI that pays homage to RTS classics like Command & Conquer, with a visual approach that matches the gameplay. | Image credits: Digital Foundry
Visual quality and effects that excite
The clear silhouettes of the units and spectacular visual effects stand out: powerful explosions, dynamic lighting, and details like vehicle headlights that illuminate the environment and enhance immersion. The design pays attention to every boom to deliver complete visual satisfaction.
Immersive audio and soundtrack 🎵
With a diverse soundtrack and several composers, the music adapts to each context: heavy guitars during combat and ambient tracks for stealth missions, including pieces by Frank Klepacki, composer of Command & Conquer. This enhances the nostalgia and emotional connection to the game.
A selection of factions reminiscent of classic RTS games, with distinct styles and strategies for tactical combat. | Image credits: Digital Foundry
Technical details and experience on multiple devices
The game offers a smooth experience on high-end hardware, maintaining a stable 120fps in 4K without significant performance drops. It also scales well to ultrawide monitors with an optimized UI, though there are still minor tweaks to cinematics and HDR to improve the overall visual experience.
Optimization and challenges on more modest hardware
On mid-range PCs with RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5 3600 processors, Tempest Rising maintains very solid performance, exceeding 60fps at epic settings at 1440p, although in large battles the CPU can impact the frame rate. Still, the isometric perspective reduces the feeling of performance drops.
Example of frame rate drop on less powerful CPUs, though less noticeable due to the isometric camera. | Image credits: Digital Foundry
Optimization for Ultrawide and HDR Monitors 🌐
The game scales well on ultrawide displays, with appropriately positioned context menus and a UI that takes advantage of the extra space. However, cinematics and maps in 16:9 display use bars or reduced zoom. The HDR implementation still has visible issues that are expected to be fixed in future updates.
Conclusion: Why Tempest Rising is a must-play for RTS fans 🎯
Tempest Rising achieves combining a classic RTS experience with modern innovations and excellent technical presentation. Its single-player campaign, with a deep narrative and diverse faction, is a breath of fresh air in a genre that has often been neglected. If you're a fan of real-time strategy games, this title is a must-have for your library.
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