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Build bases and command armies as the GDF or Tempest Dynasty, fighting over a strange resource on post-nuclear Earth.
Released 24 Apr 2025
Harvest Tempest Vines
Customize Mission Armies
Field 500-Unit Armies
Command distinct factions in a desperate struggle for power and resources in Tempest Rising - a classic RTS set on Earth after a nuclear war.
Developed by Slipgate Ironworks™ · Published by 3D Realms, Knights Peak, Saber Interactive
Set on Earth after a nuclear war, Tempest Rising follows the Global Defense Forces and the Tempest Dynasty as they battle over Tempest, a resource associated with strange vines spreading across the planet. The campaigns follow each faction through 11 missions.
Build bases, gather resources, research technology, and produce infantry, vehicles, and aircraft. Each faction has its own units and economy, while campaign missions let you customize your army between assignments.
Play the campaigns, take on AI opponents in skirmishes and custom games, or compete in multiplayer. Skirmishes support armies of up to 500 units per team, and multiplayer includes 1v1 and 2v2 matchmaking, including ranked play.
Players who enjoy the game often praise its classic real-time strategy feel, especially its base building, resource gathering, and army combat. Reviews frequently describe the campaigns as engaging and varied, and also call out the soundtrack, sound effects, and modern presentation. Some players find the pace too demanding or feel the game leans too heavily on its inspirations.
Classic RTS action meets modern production and performance in Tempest Rising. Inspired by RTS greats of the 90s and 2000s, Tempest Rising is a classic, base-building real time strategy game set in a modern day alternative history war scenario. It features three unique factions, each with its own approach to combat and economy and offering a variety of strategies for players of all stripes, deep and rewarding gameplay that keeps a focus on strategy while rewarding skill, and built-in customization options that allow players to approach the game their way in both single player and multiplayer game modes.
Take on the role of Commander in the highly mobile and advanced peacekeeping corps of the Global Defense Forces or the hard-hitting and desperate Tempest Dynasty in two 11-mission campaigns that allow the player to customize their army for each mission, as both armies seek to understand and control the mysterious but beneficial Tempest vines that grow unchecked across the war-torn planet Earth. Other dangers wait in the shadows, as the origin of the Tempest is revealed...
Relive classic RTS base building with fast, fluid, and hard-hitting combat
Command 3 unique rosters of units as either the GDF (Global Defense Force), the Tempest Dynasty or the ancient Veti* (*included for multiplayer and skirmish, campaign sold separately)
Experience 2 epic single player campaigns with voiced mission briefings
Wage war alone or with friends in 3 game modes: versus AI opponents in Custom Game lobbies, in 1v1 and 2v2 Multiplayer Matchmaking, or solo in skirmish mode with up to 500 units per team and two unique superweapons to compliment each faction’s playstyle.
Dominate the competition and climb the leaderboards in Ranked matchmaking, utilizing the Glicko-2 rating system

| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 148 |
| Age ratings |
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| Players | 1–6 |
| Play modes |
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| Other modes |
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| Multiplayer | Tempest Rising supports online multiplayer PvP and skirmish/custom play against AI. Official store text confirms Custom Game lobbies versus AI, 1v1 and 2v2 matchmaking, and ranked matchmaking. Reviews indicate skirmish and multiplayer later expanded to support up to 6 players, while ranked team size remained 2v2 at most. |
| Multiplayer & mods | No multiplayer mod support is confirmed. Multiple reviews say there is no map editor or custom map support at the time referenced, and players request map making and modding. |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 2 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Metacritic | 80/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |