Do you have a Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun-sized hole in your gaming life? You may find an answer for that soon enough. Slipgate Ironworks and 3D Realms have been working on the upcoming RTS title, Tempest Rising, which is inspired by all-time classics of the RTS genre from the ’90s and 2000s. I wished that the trailer had as much live-action FMV kitsch that the Command & Conquer games were known for.

In Tempest Rising, players encounter a battle-scarred 1997 in an alternate timeline where the Cuban Missile Crisis went nuclear. In the fallout from the war, a strange red electrical vine known as Tempest started spreading across the planet and changed the course of history. Yup, the premise borrows heavily from the Westwood series of Tiberian strategy games, and the multi-faction gameplay as well.

Players get to experience the story of three highly different factions across two campaigns with deep and rewarding gameplay that keeps the focus on strategy and skill, with built-in customization options that allow players to approach the game in their own way in both single-player and multiplayer.

Each of the asymmetrical factions feature unique harvesting models, individual secondary resource systems, and distinct rosters of units providing drastically different playstyles. The best part, players get to experience some of the gameplay now.

Tempest Rising’s new playable Steam preview is available until Aug. 28, 2023. It features the full first single-player mission of the Global Defense Forces (GDF) campaign, as they go up against the lethal Tempest Dynasty, as well as the dangers growing unchecked across a war-torn planet Earth.

Players will be introduced to five playable GDF unit types, from the Drone Operator to the Sentinel Scout Car, plus six enemy types. There’s a lot for RTS fans and newcomers to the genre to discover, as they’ll get a feel for base-building, intel, air strikes… and even classic gameplay elements like explosive barrels! You can check it out over here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1486920/Tempest_Rising/