Tempest Rising (v1.9.1 & ALL DLC)

A poisoned alternate-history Earth becomes the battlefield for a brisk, old-school command-and-conquer war built around a strange resource called Tempest. Its spreading vines offer enormous military and economic potential, turning ruined cities and scarred wastelands into prizes worth fighting over. The tone is knowingly pulpy and militaristic, with rival armies trading heavy artillery fire, deploying superweapons, and uncovering a larger conspiracy behind the planet’s transformation. Modern presentation and responsive controls give the familiar 1990s RTS formula a welcome update without stripping away its direct, aggressive character.

Players establish bases, secure Tempest fields, construct production structures, and assemble mixed forces before pushing toward enemy territory. The Global Defense Forces favor mobility, advanced hardware, and disciplined tactical tools, while the Tempest Dynasty leans into tougher, more forceful units and a scrappier approach to war. Two story campaigns, each spanning 11 missions, let commanders adjust their available army between operations, adding strategic planning beyond simply winning the current map. Skirmishes, custom matches, and competitive online play provide the long-term challenge, with ranked matchmaking using a Glicko-2 rating system for players who want serious head-to-head battles.

What separates Tempest Rising from a simple nostalgia project is its commitment to faction identity, readable battlefield action, and fast matches where smart scouting and counterbuilding matter. Unit rosters are built to encourage combined-arms tactics rather than mindless tank spam, while the Tempest resource creates natural flashpoints across every map. It clearly speaks to fans of Command & Conquer, Red Alert, and other base-building RTS classics, especially those who miss campaigns with personality and multiplayer that rewards mechanical skill. Newcomers can enjoy its clean, accessible fundamentals, but genre veterans are likely to get the most from mastering build orders, map control, and each faction’s battlefield tricks.