In the crowded landscape of first-person shooters in 2025, finding games that prioritize tactical gameplay over twitchy reflexes remains a refreshing change of pace. Tripwire Interactive's Rising Storm continues to stand as a testament to this alternative approach, even years after its initial release. As a standalone expansion for Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad, this Pacific theater WWII shooter offers an experience that's deliberately paced, strategically demanding, and utterly unforgiving to lone wolves.

A Different Kind of Battlefield

Rising Storm isn't just an expansion—it's essentially a total conversion modification that takes the foundation of Red Orchestra 2 and constructs something distinctively new. While many popular shooters embrace the run-and-gun mentality with close-quarters combat and lightning-fast gameplay, Rising Storm deliberately slows things down. As they say, 'Rome wasn't built in a day,' and neither are victories in this tactical shooter.

The game places players in the brutal Pacific campaign of World War II, with asymmetrical warfare between American and Japanese forces. Each side has unique weapons, abilities, and tactical advantages that create an intriguing balance. The Americans bring superior firepower with their flamethrowers and automatic weapons, while the Japanese counter with banzai charges and knee mortars.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Unlike many modern shooters where individual skill reigns supreme, Rising Storm demands coordination. The limited selection of specialized roles—snipers, machine gunners, and mortar operators—means players must work together to maximize their team's effectiveness. Going 'gung-ho' and charging into battle solo is practically a death sentence.

The game's large-scale maps feature historically accurate locations from the Pacific campaign, requiring players to methodically advance, secure positions, and communicate effectively. It's the antithesis of the 'spray and pray' mentality that dominates many modern shooters.

*"You can't win a war by yourself, and you certainly can't win in Rising Storm by yourself either.