February 4, 2025 – RTS enthusiasts have something to look forward to with Fractured Alliance, the latest title from indie developer Tense Games. Drawing inspiration from classics like Command & Conquer, this upcoming game reinvents real-time strategy with innovative mechanics and a dynamic three-faction warfare system. Now available for wishlisting on Steam, Fractured Alliance promises to deliver both nostalgia and deep, modern strategic gameplay.
The latest addition to this game is The Colossus: A giant nuke-throwing walker.
While testers have praised the prototype unit as fun to play with, Thomas van den Essenburg, the game designer, has already announced upcoming changes.
"The Colossus is an exciting unit that emerged from an experimental session," said van den Essenburg. "However, it is currently part of the United Federation faction, which primarily features walkers and high-tech units. The use of nuclear weapons is more fitting for the Eastern Alliance faction, so we need to explore a way to introduce it as an experimental unit there. At that point, the Colossus will likely have its weapon replaced with a blue beam weapon, a lightning launcher, an ice ray, or something else that better fits the United Federation’s faction identity."
In Fractured Alliance, players will command one of three unique factions, each offering distinct strengths, weaknesses, and strategic playstyles:
United Federation – Masters of advanced technology, the United Federation wields precision weaponry like plasma cannons and railguns. Their energy-based defenses and specialized units deliver devastating accuracy but come at a high resource cost, demanding careful management and tactical foresight.
Eastern Alliance – Focused on raw power, the Eastern Alliance fields heavily armored war machines and destructive area-of-effect weaponry. Relying on flame and radiation technology, they dominate in crowd control and territorial defense. However, their slower-moving forces and lack of precision leave them vulnerable to swift, high-tech adversaries. Their love for nuclear weapons makes them a fun faction to play with.
The Collective – A faction built around relentless automation, The Collective deploys autonomous drones to maintain constant battlefield presence. Their swarm tactics create overwhelming pressure, making them ideal for sustained assaults. However, their units are fragile and susceptible to high-damage countermeasures.
Drawing inspiration from RTS legends like Red Alert 2, Ground Control, Starcraft, and Supreme Commander, Fractured Alliance brings fresh tactical depth to the genre. Players will navigate dynamic battlefields, harvesting resources, capturing strategic nodes, and leveraging terrain for an advantage. Whether positioning artillery on high ground or launching sneak attacks from the sky, creative tactics and unit composition will shape every engagement.
Base building brought back
Unlike later iterations in RTS series that have moved away from base building—as seen in Command & Conquer 4 and Dawn of War 3—Fractured Alliance embraces this classic gameplay element. Players can construct and fortify their bases, set up defensive turrets, and even wall off sections to create a SimCity-style war fortress. For those who enjoy strategic base development and defensive playstyles, Fractured Alliance is bringing these beloved mechanics back to the battlefield.
Beyond its story-driven single-player campaign, Fractured Alliance delivers casual skirmish and cooperative multiplayer experiences, where strategic mastery is constantly put to the test. As players progress, they’ll gain access to devastating superweapons—from weather-control storms and nuclear strikes to stealth carpet bombings—each capable of turning the tide of battle in spectacular fashion.
While Tense Games has yet to announce an official release date, players can wishlist Fractured Alliance on Steam now. The studio is also in discussions with potential publishing partners, aiming to bring this ambitious RTS to an even wider audience.
For the latest updates, follow Tense Games on social media or visit the official Fractured Alliance Steam page. A video with skirmish footage can be found here.