Tempest Rising is not the only classic C&C style RTS worth keeping an eye on in 2025
5 upcoming RTS games for fans of the 90s and 2000s era. From retro vibes in Dying Breed and DORF RTS Conflict to the more modern Fractured Alliance and Dust Front.
Tempest Rising is launching on Steam on April 24, 2025, and it’s shaping up to be a full-on nostalgic yet fresh real time strategy ride, perfect for all Command & Conquer fans. Set in an alternate modern-day timeline, it’s got all the classic ingredients: base building, resource gathering, tons of units, and fast-paced tactical battles – everything that made '90s and early 2000s RTS games so iconic. But it’s not the only old-school-style RTS on the way. Here are a few more titles that should definitely be on your radar.
Battlefall State of Conflict
This one’s already out on Steam (launched just over a month ago) and it’s been getting some pretty solid reviews. Battlefall: State of Conflict made by Kyoto Video Game Concern leans into that retro RTS vibe. The UI, the art style, the whole look and feel just scream old-school. You’ll either be all about it or it won’t be your thing, no in-between.
Each faction has its own story campaign, and there’s a ton of ways to play, offline and online skirmishes, co-op, and even a built-in level and rule editor. Plus, with full Steam Workshop support, we can create and share our own units, factions, and maps. There are no population or building limits, so we got full freedom to build and battle however we want. We can even upgrade our forces on the go with the Battlefall Upgrade system, earned through battle, allowing for endless tactical possibilities.
Dying Breed
Oh, and if you thought Battlefall had strong retro vibes, Dying Breed cranks it up even more. This one’s a full-on throwback to the golden age of RTS games. Set in a gritty, post-apocalyptic world, we’ll be leading our forces across land, sea, air, and even underground.
With a killer original soundtrack, unique unit tactics, and a dynamic world full of memorable characters and evolving challenges, Dying Breed aims to deliver an intense and rewarding experience for players who love classic RTS.
Developed by the indie team at Sarnayer and published by MicroProse, Dying Breed doesn’t have a release date yet, but we can try out the demo on their website.
D.O.R.F RTS Conflict
Another with a strong 90s-era feel, D.O.R.F RTS Conflict is a strategy-heavy game, where we’ll build massive bases, gather resources like oil, ore, and scrap, and pump out powerful armies. We won’t just be smashing enemies, we’ll be setting up supply lines, rotating buildings for the perfect layout, and turning raw materials into serious firepower.
From giant zeppelins and psychic troops to trench warfare and mech artillery, there’s a ton of unit variety to play with. We can even storm enemy buildings, engage in close-quarters combat, and steal their tech to mix into our own arsenal. It's all about strategy, chaos, and outsmarting the opponent.
Developed and published by the indie studio DORFteam, known for their work as well-know modders in the Command & Conquer community, D.O.R.F. RTS Conflict is funded through Patreon. The game will be available on Steam, though there’s no release date yet.
Fractured Alliance
Fractured Alliance by Tense Games has a more modern look while still nailing that classic RTS feel. Set in an alternate reality where the Cold War never ended, the game features three factions and a tense political climate.
The game is designed to be accessible to new players, introducing a faction with automated controls for a more casual experience. It’s meant to be a fun, relaxed RTS, not a hardcore multiplayer title, but you can still team up with friends for matches.
Fractured Alliance isn’t out yet, but we can Wishlist it on Steam.
Dust Front RTS
This one's interesting. Dust Front blends elements of Command & Conquer and Warhammer 40K, offering a classic RTS experience with a procedural world and non-linear campaign. Set on a war-torn planet, we’ll build armies from tanks, infantry, aviation, and various vehicles while constructing bases and gathering resources. The game mixes strategy and action, with asymmetrical battles against enemies that often outnumber and outgun us.
We’ll navigate a global map where our actions impact the economy and news, face off against mutants, robots, rebels, and more, and uncover hidden conspiracies. As we progress, we’ll unlock new units, buildings, and technologies to strengthen our forces. The game’s turn-based mechanics require careful planning, as we anticipate enemy moves and plan our strikes.
Dust Front RTS is being developed by solo creator Dmitry Charankov, known as RtsDimon. There’s no release date yet, but we can add the game to our Wishlist on Steam.
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