Some games just take you back. You know that feeling? Sat at your PC for hours, building up your base, hauling in resources, then sending wave after wave of tanks rolling across the map. That’s exactly what Tempest Rising does — and if you grew up loving Command & Conquer, you’re going to adore this game.
I’ve enjoyed every minute with Tempest Rising, from start to finish. It delivers the kind of real‑time strategy experience I’ve been craving: all the things that made the classics great, polished up and presented beautifully for today. And with the new The Veti’s Wrath expansion? There’s even more to sink your teeth into.
I actually got into the game a little later than most, right as the expansion was landing. Instead of writing two separate reviews, I wanted to bring everything together — base game first, then how the expansion builds on top of it all. That felt like the honest way to do it.
So let’s dive in.
Tempest Rising — The Classic RTS We’ve Been Waiting For
Tempest Rising drops you into an alternate 1997, where the world’s been torn apart by nuclear war and now everyone’s fighting over a strange, powerful resource called the Tempest. Two human factions stand at the centre of it all: the Global Defense Force and the Tempest Dynasty.
If you’ve played Command & Conquer, this will feel instantly like coming home. Build your base, gather resources, crank out units, and take the fight to the enemy. It’s a formula that’s stood the test of time — and Tempest Rising gets exactly why it works.
What I love most is that it doesn’t try to reinvent everything just for the sake of being different. It takes those solid, beloved foundations and builds something that sits right alongside the games we grew up with. There’s something so satisfying about getting your economy humming, your production lines rolling, and watching your army march out to meet the enemy. It’s not just about throwing everything you’ve got at the problem — it’s about planning, picking the right units, and using them well. That’s where the strategy actually lives.
And that’s the magic of Tempest Rising. It knows an RTS should be fun first — rewarding you for thinking ahead while still giving you those gloriously chaotic, explosive battles we all come back for. Getting your base locked down, your army assembled, and then unleashing absolute chaos on the other guy? That feeling never gets old. And if that sounds like your kind of fun, you probably already know this game’s for you.
Two Factions, Two Campaigns, One Brilliant RTS
The GDF and the Tempest Dynasty aren’t just different colours on the map — they play completely differently. The GDF is all about speed, mobility, and high‑tech gear. The Dynasty hits harder, fights tougher, and takes a more direct approach to war. Learning how each works is part of the joy — you can’t just fall back on the same old tricks every time.
Best of all? Both factions get their own full, 11‑mission campaign. That’s a proper single‑player experience — not just a bunch of skirmishes with a flag at the end. There’s an actual story unfolding as you play. For me, that makes such a huge difference. I want a reason to keep pushing, a new challenge to tackle, something to build toward. Tempest Rising delivers exactly that.
I didn’t finish the base game wishing it were something else. I just wanted more. It gave me everything I hoped for from a modern take on classic RTS — solid, satisfying, and true to the things that make this genre great.
Looks Great, Sounds Even Better
It’s a handsome game, too. Battlefields feel gritty and real, units read clearly even in the thick of a scrap, and those mission briefings give the whole conflict real weight. But what I appreciate most is that the style never gets in the way of playing. Graphics are lovely, but if building your base and commanding your army isn’t fun, all the sparkle in the world won’t save it. Thankfully, that’s never an issue here — everything serves the gameplay first.
And the soundtrack? Wow. It features Frank Klepacki alongside other composers — and if that name rings a bell, you know exactly what that means. It’s punchy, memorable, and sounds just like the golden age of RTS music. All in all, it feels like a warm welcome back to a genre that’s been missed.
The Veti’s Wrath — Something Truly Different
Now for the fun part: The Veti’s Wrath. Since I got the game right as the expansion launched, I got to experience it all together — and honestly, that’s the best way.
The Veti aren’t just another army. They’re an ancient, alien civilisation with their own history, their own struggles, and their own way of fighting. Where the base game showed them as a looming threat, the expansion puts you in charge — across another full, 11‑mission campaign. That brings the total to three distinct stories to play through. If you love single‑player as much as I do, that’s a mountain of content.
Their campaign follows the Veti as they pick up the pieces, recover what they’ve lost, and root out a corruption eating away at their people from within. It’s a fresh perspective on the world — and it turns out there’s far more going on than just the war between humans.
Playing As The Veti
Here’s where it gets really interesting: they don’t play like anyone else. You don’t just build tanks and march forward. You convert fallen enemies into “Enlightened” units, then sacrifice them to power up your structures, fuel your machines, and unleash devastating abilities. Every battle feeds your economy — fighting is gathering resources. It’s bold, it’s brutal, and it feels completely unlike anything the GDF or Dynasty do.
That’s exactly what you want from a new faction — something that actually changes how you think. And they’ve got a full roster to match: infantry, vehicles, aircraft, specialists, defences, support powers, and a superweapon. Best of all? Base‑game owners get the Veti in skirmish and multiplayer for free — so no one’s locked out of playing with them. The paid part is the campaign — and that’s where the real story lives.
So Does It Make The Game Better?
Absolutely. The base game was already fantastic — the expansion just makes it richer. Everything you loved is still there: building bases, gathering resources, planning your moves. Now you’ve got a whole new way to play, a new story to follow, and a third faction to master.
I’ve got no real complaints. I loved the base game, and the expansion gave me more of what I enjoyed — but different. That’s the sweet spot, right there.
Final Verdict — Essential For RTS Fans
Tempest Rising is exactly the game I’ve been waiting for. It understands why we loved Command & Conquer, respects those roots, and delivers a polished, modern experience that never loses sight of what matters. Two great campaigns, two distinct factions, and then The Veti’s Wrath comes along and adds a third — one that plays unlike anything else in the genre.
I got to it late, but I’m so glad I did. If you’ve been waiting for someone to pick up the classic RTS torch and carry it forward properly? This is it. If you loved Command & Conquer, you’re going to love Tempest Rising. And with the expansion? It’s even better.
Tempest Rising Trailer
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The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
Written by myself then edited and formed by my partner.
Review Summary
What is Tempest Rising?
Tempest Rising is a real-time strategy game inspired by classic Command & Conquer, featuring base building, resource management, large-scale battles and single-player campaigns.
What does Tempest Rising offer?
The base game features two playable factions, the Global Defense Force and Tempest Dynasty, each with its own units, strategies and campaign.
What does The Veti’s Wrath expansion add?
The Veti’s Wrath introduces the Veti as a new playable faction and adds an 11-mission single-player campaign. A free update also brings the faction to skirmish and multiplayer modes.
What is the gameplay like?
Tempest Rising delivers classic RTS gameplay built around constructing bases, gathering resources, producing military units and using strategic planning to defeat opponents.
What are the strengths of Tempest Rising?
Its excellent Command & Conquer-style gameplay, distinct factions, engaging campaigns and modern presentation make it a fantastic experience for real-time strategy fans.
What are the weaknesses?
No significant problems stood out during our playthrough. The game was enjoyable from beginning to end.
Is Tempest Rising worth playing?
Absolutely. Tempest Rising is highly recommended for Command & Conquer fans and anyone who enjoys classic real-time strategy games. The Veti’s Wrath expansion makes an already excellent game even better.
What score does Tempest Rising receive?
Invision Game Community awards Tempest Rising a score of 9/10.
