TEMPEST RISING: THE RTS REVIVAL COMMAND & CONQUER FANS DESERVE

Ever wondered what would happen if someone actually made the modern Command & Conquer that EA won't? Tempest Rising answers that question with a love letter to classic RTS gaming that's got more understanding of what made C&C great than EA's shown in the last 15 years.

FAMILIAR TERRITORY WITH FRESH PAINT

After getting hands-on with the latest multiplayer demo, it's clear Tempest Rising isn't just copying homework - it's doing the entire group project while C&C skips class. The game nails that classic RTS formula: resource gathering, base building, and unit production that feels smoother than a freshly paved tank path. With a UI that any C&C veteran could navigate blindfolded and maps designed for perfect strategic chaos, it's hitting all the right nostalgia buttons while adding its own modern twists.

MULTIPLAYER MAYHEM

The online features read like an RTS fan's wishlist. Ranked 1v1 matches (with 2v2 coming later) for the competitive crowd, custom matches with adjustable settings for those who like to tinker, and skirmish modes against AI that probably won't make you question your life choices. Three difficulty levels ensure you can either relax or get your virtual teeth kicked in, depending on your mood.

CLASSIC FORMULA, NEW FLAVOR

The asymmetric factions add spice to the familiar recipe - while one side builds traditional refineries, the other deploys mobile harvesting units. It's these little touches that keep things fresh while maintaining that classic RTS DNA. Frank Klepacki's soundtrack blasting in the background feels like coming home after a long vacation.

TWO CAMPAIGNS, ONE MYSTERY

The single-player offering includes two 11-mission campaigns featuring the Tempest Dynasty (think East meets boom) and the Global Defense Force (West meets kaboom). They're fighting over Tempest, a mysterious resource that's totally not Tiberium with a new paint job. And yes, there's a shadowy third faction lurking because apparently two armies trying to blow each other up isn't enough drama.

THE BOTTOM LINE

At $39.99, Tempest Rising is shaping up to be the modern RTS that C&C fans have been dreaming about since EA decided strategy games weren't cool anymore. While we still need to see how the campaigns play out, the multiplayer demo shows more promise than a harvester full of Tiberium.