The retro real-time strategy game Tempest Rising pays a spectacular and thrilling tribute to the dearly missed Command and Conquer series by Westwood. Its dual campaigns are nearly perfect, which likely explains why the first major update focuses primarily on multiplayer mode.
Named “Rally and Recon,” this update significantly expands and refines player-versus-player content. The biggest addition is a 2v2 ranked mode with leaderboards, along with the ability to queue solo or with friends for 2v2 matches. The update also introduces a highly requested feature allowing players to adjust the multiplayer population cap, ranging from 100 to 500 units.
Smaller additions include a formal lobby chat system, enabling players to communicate while waiting for matches instead of facing silence, and a “V1” basic spectator mode defined by developer Slipgate Ironworks, which will see ongoing improvements.
The update trailer showcases these features.
Additionally, six new maps have been added to expand the online battlegrounds. Four maps are designed for 2v2 play, while two cater to 1v1 matches. These are not entirely new creations but redesigned classic maps. Notably, one map named “Empty Hopes” sounds like a spaceship from Halo.
All these features come alongside extensive balance adjustments to existing units. Slipgate detailed each unit’s changes in the patch notes, aiming to establish a more formal early/mid/late game tech progression.
Different factions experience varied impacts. The Global Freedom Defense (GFD) sees a nerf to the spy drone support skill but a buff to the hunter tank. The Tempest Dynasty faces slower resource gathering but improved efficiency for secondary units like the missile-launching Porcupine truck.
While the multiplayer mode receives comprehensive attention, the status of the game’s third playable faction remains unclear. Slipgate previously mentioned this faction would launch post-release but has since been quiet. This faction is much more unusual than the other two, so it’s unsurprising players currently only encounter it as an enemy in the campaign. Hopefully, it will join the main game soon, even if just to provide unique content not directly borrowed from classic Command and Conquer titles.
