Classic vibes. Modern brains. That’s Stormgate.

There’s something electric about the start of a 1v1 RTS match—the clock ticks down, the screen bursts into life, and your brain switches to battle mode. Stormgate captures that pulse-pounding tension and builds on it with slick updates, strong faction design, and quality-of-life changes that feel overdue.

Developed by Frost Giant Studios—founded by former Blizzard RTS devs—Stormgate is more than a spiritual successor to StarCraft. It’s a love letter to the genre with just enough evolution to stand on its own. Now out of Early Access, Stormgate may not be at its final form, but it’s already pushing the boundaries of what competitive RTS can feel like in 2025.

From faction micro mastery to cinematic campaign moments (some still rough), it’s clear Stormgate is aiming for that sweet spot: classic RTS soul with future-forward mechanics.

Stormgate Gameplay Captures Blizzard’s Spirit—With a Twist

Stormgate wears its Blizzard legacy proudly—and it shows in the rhythm of battle.

From the get-go, “Is Stormgate a Blizzard game?” is a fair question. It’s not, technically. But the DNA is undeniable. Veterans of Warcraft 3 and StarCraft 2 will feel instantly at home juggling build orders, managing expansions, and microing units in real-time skirmishes. That Blizzard blueprint runs deep.

But here’s where Stormgate gameplay sets itself apart: automation and access. Things like auto-control groups, quick command keys, and intuitive hotkey menus cut down the clunk without gutting the complexity. The devs clearly asked: what if RTS was still sweaty, but not annoying?

Even faction design carries Blizzard-esque flavor while breaking new ground. Veterans like the Human Vanguard come packed with classic mechanics—base-building, veterancy, unit micro—while newer factions like the Infernals and Celestials stretch the genre’s boundaries. It’s Blizzard-style design with Gen-Z clarity and Twitch-era speed.

Faction Love and Misses: Who’s Gonna Main What?

Each Stormgate faction is a love-hate relationship waiting to happen.

For me, it’s Vanguard or bust. As a Terran and Human main from back in the day, Vanguard feels like home. Standard units, clear micro paths, and deep skill ceilings. But then you realize—wait—my veteran units actually matter here. Suddenly, every skirmish becomes a test in unit preservation and tactical finesse.

The Celestials, once incomprehensible in Early Access, now make more sense. Core mechanics like Morph Cores and Arcships feel less like puzzles and more like power tools—still weird, still fun, but playable. They’ve gone from “huh?” to “heck yeah.”

Then there are the Infernals. The recent rework stripped out the Animus bar—a bold but baffling move. Losing that mechanic, along with top-bar abilities, flattened their uniqueness. Frost Giant says it’s temporary, but man, it stings.

And the new “Stormgates” replacing creep camps? Meh. They look dramatic but lack gameplay punch, making map control feel more like a coin toss than a clash.

Campaign Check: Stormgate’s Story Finally Finds Its Legs

When Stormgate launched in Early Access, its campaign felt like an afterthought. Fast-forward to now, and it’s had a full-body glow-up. Most characters have been visually reworked, the story beats have been overhauled, and the missions themselves bring both brains and brawn. The Stormgate gameplay in these missions balances classic RTS mechanics with modern storytelling, giving players a fresh yet familiar experience.

The deck system aboard the Raptor 1 adds cohesion between missions. Upgradable units and customizable gear for Amara and her crew give the whole thing a low-key RPG vibe. Think XCOM meets Warcraft 3.

Still, it’s not all sunshine. The writing improves on old tropes but stumbles with pacing. Some cutscenes feel rushed or missing altogether—plot bombs get dropped via throwaway dialogue, and a few voice lines come across like cold reads.

At $25 for the full campaign (four episodes), it’s not free—but it’s fair. For RTS players who care about lore and unit mastery, it’s a welcome challenge with a narrative that’s this close to being great.

Where’s the Real Onboarding for New RTS Players?

The biggest gap Stormgate hasn’t closed yet? Teaching new blood how to play.

RTS games are infamously hard to learn, and Stormgate doesn’t totally fix that. While there’s a “Learn to Play” link on the main menu, it just punts you to a few outdated YouTube vids. That ain’t onboarding—that’s homework.

Celestials and Infernals still don’t get the narrative context or hands-on missions that could help players understand their tech trees, spell kits, or strategies. There’s no “Ohhh, so that’s how Arcships work!” moment unless you brave the PvP wilderness or Reddit.

BuddyBot, a co-op feature that handles base-building for you, also misses the mark. It’s helpful, sure—but it doesn’t teach. A better system would analyze your play and nudge you with real-time advice. Think Clippy, but for ladder climbing.

The map editor and 3vAI Co-op (now in Sigma Labs) are promising, though. Despite being experimental, they show the power of community-driven content. RTS modders, rise up—this sandbox has legs.