Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 79 | 81 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 81 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 85% | 78 | 300 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 7, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 264 total reviews in window · weighted 184.3 up / 32.6 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (44)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“This is the Command & Conquer sequel we never got. It scratches an itch that has been ignored for too long. It’s fast, fun, and filled with the kind of soul that modern "bloated garbage" lacks. While it has some AI quirks and balance issues, the core gameplay loop is so satisfying that you likely won't care. If you grew up playing RTS games, buying this is a no-brainer. Welcome back to the battlefield, Commander., Flare”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While Tempest Rising may not reinvent the genre, it provides a strong foundation that helps shape it for future iterations.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tempest Rising successfully delivers on its promise of a classic RTS revival, blending nostalgia with smart updates and modern design. With great optimization, a catchy soundtrack, and well-crafted factions, it appeals to both Command & Conquer veterans and newcomers. While it could use more content, the game has strong potential for future growth and stands proudly alongside its legendary predecessors.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Tempest Rising is a perfect RTS strategy game that draws inspiration from the cult classics of the late 1990s. The game offers tried-and-true gameplay with a modern twist, combining base building, recruiting a diverse array of units from various factions, and dynamic, detailed battles. The icing on the cake is the excellent optimization, which allows everyone to enjoy the detailed visuals. If you’re a fan of classic RTS games or miss C&C, this is the obvious choice for you.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Slipgate Ironwokrs did what a lot deemed to be impossible, create a balance between a good “Command & Conquer Homage” and a spiritual successor. “Tempest Rising” is complex, but not overwhelming. Alongside a great campaign and a solid multiplayer, it’s a great start for 2025 in terms of Real Time Strategy games.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tempest Rising is a classic RTS with a campaign, a spiritual successor to Command & Conquer that painstakingly remakes all things we know from the past. It won’t make the publishers want to give us more games like this, but it is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy sky above RTS land. One that will make fans of C&C smile.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Tempest Rising is clearly inspired by the good old RTS days of the 90s and early 2000s, but it has so many unique features and high-quality additions that makes this game feel original and innovative.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Slipgate has managed to create a game that simultaneously breathes the '90s and feels like the 2020s, and that, in itself, is an achievement. It's not easy nowadays to convey the passion of this genre to new generations. If your heart skips a beat at the word “conyard”, you know what to do.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“This game is a great homage to the RTS of the 90s. Therefore, it is not a cheap copy or anything like that, having its own personality and, most importantly, the charm of an excellent strategy game.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“I can only say I'm satisfied with Tempest Rising. It's true that the multiplayer mode is still in its early stages, with necessary balancing needed both in terms of AI and factions, but the single-player campaign already offers between 20 and 30 hours of pure fun through two compelling and convincing narrative paths. Slipgate Ironworks has managed to breathe new life into a genre, real-time strategy games, that is largely underrated these days. To do so, they took the best from the past and applied modern concepts of gameplay and quality of life in a smart and convincing way. The result is a game that respectfully positions itself as a valid alternative to EA and Blizzard titles, which are currently less present in the gaming landscape. Tempest Rising also proves that it's still possible to create something new, even when inevitable comparisons are made with the legendary titles of the genre. At this point, I’m just looking forward to seeing how the single-player campaign will evolve in future expansions or sequels, and to trying out the multiplayer component once it’s fully developed and ready for those who enjoy competitive battles against other players.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tempest Rising is a bold throwback to classic RTS games, with massive maps, satisfying destruction, and strong faction design. Despite a few rough edges, it offers a polished experience that captures the spirit of the genre’s golden era.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tempest Rising might as well be one of the best strategy games of the year, where the release calendar does look to have a lot of strategy games on the horizon. This is definitely a game that’s worth a buy for anyone who wanted a Zero Hour 2 to be made by Electronic Arts for the Command and Conquer franchise. This is also worth a buy for casuals wanting to check out a new RTS game on their slightly new PC/laptop.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Gamepressure
INDIANTVCZ
Gaming Professors
Hu3br
GRYOnline.pl
The Nerd Stash
EmuGlx.org
Pizza Fria
Gamesource Italia
Prima Games
Gameffine…and 32 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hotfix Update #12Jul 10, 2026
- The Map Editor Update is Out NOW!Jul 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #11 - Matchmaking FixesMay 12, 2026
- New Maps, RMB Freelook, Bot-only Matches, New Difficulty, Saved Settings, & moreApr 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- One Year Anniversary and the Future of Tempest RisingApr 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #10Mar 16, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- A New Quality of Life Update is Out Now!Mar 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #9Dec 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #8Dec 9, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Superior Firepower update is...wait, what is that?!Dec 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #7Oct 7, 2025
- The Customization Update is Out NOW!Oct 6, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #6Sep 16, 2025
- The Triple Threat Update is Out NOW!Sep 9, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Next Major Update Launches Sept. 9 - Adds 3v3, Game Speed Adj., New Map, & MoreSep 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #5Aug 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Difficulty Selector, EULA Update, Heal/Repair Auras, and Party & Multiplayer QoLAug 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #4Jun 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Rally & Recon Update is Out NOW!Jun 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Multiplayer Balance Patch and Top 12 Steam ReleasesMay 20, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #3Apr 30, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #2Apr 25, 2025
- 1v1 Ranked Matchmaking & Leaderboards Added, Plus Balance & Bug Fixing PatchApr 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update #1Apr 21, 2025
- Development Update: Battle Command Uplink Initializing…Apr 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- The Tempest Rising Demo is now Available!Aug 28, 2023significant · resets scoring window