If you’re accustomed to playing with us, you may recall my past criticisms towards Broken Arrow. Upon investigating online reviews using Google’s Gemini, Firaxis was frequently mentioned as a primary issue due to their infantry implementation in the game. However, after delving deeper into its mechanics, I might have underestimated some aspects of it.
- Genre: Real-Time Strategy/ Real-Time Tactics/ Military-Sim
- Developer: Steel Balalaika
- Publisher: Slitherine Ltd.
- Release Date: 16th June, 2025
- Price: $49.99/ 48,99€/ £41.99
- Buy at: Steam
- Reviewed On: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 3.70 GHz, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 2080
Here’s my attempt:
Hey there fellow gaming enthusiast! Let’s dive right in together – Broken Arrow is an exhilarating real-time strategy/tactics game that has been generating quite the buzz among us gamers since 2025. In fact, it’s the most eagerly anticipated strategy game of the year and boasts over a million players chomping at the bit to get their hands on it! So, are you ready to join the ranks of those who can’t wait for this incredible gaming experience? Let’s make it happen!
Broken Arrow Basics and Inspirations VS Aspirations
Drawing inspiration from games such as Wargame: Red Dragon, WARNO, and Regiments, the upcoming game Broken Arrow aims to carve its own niche in the crowded real-time strategy and military tactics market. Given that the aforementioned titles have established player bases, particularly WARNO with an active multiplayer scene and a thriving community, Broken Arrow needs to offer something unique to stand out. After playing it extensively, I can say that Steel Balalaika and Slitherine have crafted a game that, while building upon its predecessors, offers a distinct gaming experience compared to other titles in the genre.
In this review, we’ll highlight what sets Broken Arrow apart from other games to help you determine if it’s a worthy investment, particularly considering its high price tag as it’s the priciest title available. However, given that many triple-A titles have been criticized for their quality in recent years, I can’t guarantee triple-A standards with this pricing in 2025.
The Novelty of 21st Century Warfare
In a unique twist, Broken Arrow distinguishes itself by merging intricate war simulation with the fast-paced real-time strategy (RTS) gameplay found in more conventional RTS titles. It also boasts stunning visual detail, extensive deck and unit personalization options, and a contemporary setting that offers tactical challenges galore. Rest assured, Broken Arrow excels in every aspect, making it stand out among its peers.
What sets this game apart from others is its contemporary backdrop, as opposed to being set during the Cold War like other similar games. The creators of Broken Arrow have chosen to move things forward, immersing players in 21st-century warfare scenarios. This modern setting isn’t just window dressing; instead, it’s a strategic choice, as the intricacy of today’s battlefield escalates dramatically with advanced technology. The game has made significant efforts to incorporate mechanics that authentically portray this complexity. As a result, players are faced with unique tactical challenges and factors that other games don’t offer. Features such as stealth fighters, drones, modern tank protection packages, active protection systems, laser-guided bombs, radar missile technology, and even contemporary small arms are just a few examples of the experiences and adaptations players will encounter in this game.
Moving forward, let’s discuss the extent of its mechanical intricacy. Compared to Wargame: Red Dragon, WARNO undoubtedly advanced complexity, making the game less of a mere numbers game and more involved. However, I personally believe that Broken Arrow surpasses WARNO significantly in this aspect, and in my view, it’s not even a close call.
Army Builder: Building Decks and Unit Customization
In the game “Broken Arrow,” the complexity in strategy begins with managing your decks. Each deck is formed by combining two Specializations, which there are currently ten of, five for each side: the United States and the Russians. These specializations have distinct units and unique point allotments for various types of units you can field. For instance, if you select two specializations with a greater emphasis on infantry, you’ll have more points to deploy infantry. If you prefer tanks, choose two specializations with an armor focus. This setup ensures that there isn’t an ideal deck choice most of the time, and sacrifices must be made when determining your areas of specialization. These specializations can significantly differ from one another, with some lacking certain unit types entirely, such as the Mobile Infantry having no access to helicopters or the airborne division having no armored vehicles. This approach may leave some players questioning if it could potentially lead to a frustrating experience, especially when playing online without a specific unit type. However, this system is designed to work this way due to the multiplayer aspect of the game as well.
In Broken Arrow, prior to engaging in combat, you’ll need to consider unit customization, a unique aspect of this game. As you construct your deck using the two specializations you selected, you will also have the opportunity to tailor each unit’s loadout according to your strategy. Initially, I was puzzled as to why Broken Arrow only has approximately 300 units compared to games like WARNO with thousands, but upon reflection, it seems that this customization system is the likely explanation. Instead of assigning a specific number for each variant of a weapons platform, as other games do, Broken Arrow provides you with a base weapons platform and allows you to modify it as desired. For instance, there’s only one Stryker unit in the game, but you can customize it to include a Bushmaster cannon, an M2 heavy machine gun, or an MK19 Grenade launcher, among other options. Additionally, you can choose armor packages such as SRAT reactive armor or Trophy APS. This flexibility extends to modifying the cannons in BMPs and the weapons of infantry squads. Furthermore, your planes and helicopters can be customized on each pylon, offering unparalleled levels of customization. If you’re someone who enjoys fine-tuning your force, this is a fantastic opportunity for you. Moreover, there are several skins available for your units that can be unlocked through challenges, although they may not be noticeable during the heat of battle, it’s a thoughtful addition.
In-Depth Battlefield Mechanics Which Set Broken Arrow Appart
First, let’s delve into the intricacies of Broken Arrow’s combat system before we explore its different game modes. This game aims to elevate strategic depth, and I find the infantry aspect particularly exciting. Previously, games like WARNO and Regiments failed to do justice to infantry, either using them as building garrisons or cannon fodder. However, Broken Arrow isn’t without flaws, but its addition of stealth, suppression mechanics, and the ability to take cover behind destroyed buildings is a significant improvement.
I’d like to emphasize the suppression mechanics that directly impact a unit’s combat efficiency. When they are exposed to heavy fire, they can become shocked or panicked, causing their effectiveness in combat to plummet. This transforms ordinary infantry battles into something more nuanced than just a numbers game, making positioning and cover crucial for victory.
My affinity for individual unit fragility might seem like peeping, but that’s the essence of war – once something is harmed or obliterated, it can’t be reversed. The effects of combat are also evident on the vehicles, thanks to the game’s realistic damage system. Each strike matters and vehicles consist of various parts such as tracks, optics, and even loading devices that can get damaged during a battle, sometimes even rendered inoperable. This implies that on the positive side, your units may lose effectiveness, but in extreme situations, they can become entirely useless if not repaired. A costly tank that can’t be moved or fixed can be a significant drain on the resources you have available.
Moving on to another topic: supplies. In the game Broken Arrow, supplies aren’t just for ammunition; they’re also used for repairs. There are specialized units whose job is to distribute supplies across the map, moving them as needed to ensure necessary items are always available. This means you must safeguard these supply convoys, but they can also be a significant threat if captured by the enemy. These supply units appear in various forms, ranging from trucks to helicopters.
Play Broken Arrow As You Want: Singleplayer, Multiplayer and Editor
Starting out with Broken Arrow may initially seem overwhelming due to its intricate mechanics, especially for those who found Wargame: Red Dragon and WARNO too complex. However, instead of a steep climb, there’s now a gradual slope that makes the learning process more accessible. While the challenge remains significant, it’s comforting to know that you have a smoother path to grasp all the game’s details and nuances.
In this game, you’ll kick off your adventure with an introductory session, designed to acquaint you with the fundamental mechanics and systems of each unit type in a stress-free setting, avoiding plunging you directly into battle. You’ll grasp the essentials of infantry movement, suppression, logistics, tank combat, artillery, stealth, and optimizing your air support. Once you’ve got the hang of things, you can dive into the game’s extensive single-player mode. This campaign allows you to take on roles from both the American and Russian perspectives as they struggle for control over the Baltic states. Fans of World In Conflict will find this campaign familiar, offering a similar experience. The campaign spans 16 missions, each presenting a distinct challenge, ranging from covert operations to last-ditch defenses, urban combat, armored offensives, amphibious invasions, and airborne landings. I believe that the Broken Arrow campaign is one of the top two strategy games released in 2025, trailing closely behind Burden of Command, but they cater to different gaming styles.
In line with my anticipation, the true test for Broken Arrow lies within its multiplayer battles, as gamers engage in strategic combat against genuine opponents rather than computer-controlled ones. For enthusiasts like me, there are 5vs5 competitive encounters spanning across 19 maps inspired by real-world locations.
Though playtesting has occurred extensively, the unknown factor is how this game mode will unfold. Each match lasts a total of 45 minutes, split into three 15-minute rounds where players strive to seize as many objectives or eliminate enemy units as possible. Points are tallied at the end of each round and overall to determine the victorious team.
What makes this mode intriguing is that the value of an objective in round 1 is one point, while it doubles to two points in round 2. The most significant twist comes in round 3, where each objective is worth three victory points! This structure aims to maintain a high level of tension and prevent early domination from overwhelming opponents at the start.
It’s an engaging match setup and a thought-provoking concept, but I can’t help but wonder about its long-term appeal. Broken Arrow could significantly enhance player experience with the addition of 1vs1 and 3vs3 matches in the initial release, using a basic game mode.
There’s also a skirmish mode for honing skills against AI opponents, but you’ll need at least two other players to initiate a match—a rather peculiar choice, I must admit.
What makes Broken Arrow stand out uniquely is its robust scenario editor, which it provides to players. This might seem like a common feature, but it’s actually the very same tool employed to design the game’s campaign, complete with cutscenes. Additionally, there’s Steam Workshop compatibility, allowing players to share their missions and campaigns. After playing around with the tool, I can confirm that it offers numerous customization options, and I suspect creative players will come up with some very interesting missions.
Graphics: Broken Arrow Is An Undeniable Looker
To me, WARNO, Regiments, and Wargame: Red Dragon all seem impressive, but it’s important to note that they each have their unique strengths. WARNO boasts a clear, expansive design, attractive color schemes, and works smoothly at large scales. Despite some rough edges, Regiments is efficient and doesn’t demand many resources for one-man development. However, Broken Arrow is a graphical powerhouse, but it requires a more powerful machine to maintain a minimum of 60FPS while preserving its high-quality visuals. The units in Broken Arrow are incredibly detailed, even down to the paint scratches on the armor. Both vehicle and infantry animations are excellent. Graphical elements like explosions and smoke can be resource-intensive, but if your system can handle it, they add a great touch; otherwise, they may seem jarring compared to the game’s overall graphical quality.
Although the maps may lack significant visual diversity, I find it acceptable given that the game is focused on Eastern Europe and aims for realistic mapping. Therefore, there’s only so much variation one might expect. However, these maps are impressively large, featuring numerous buildings, trees, and intricate details. When using the scenario editor, they can be divided into sections, making them more like a versatile canvas to choose from in actual play.
Some Cracks Showing Up
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been singing the praises of Broken Arrow for quite some time now. It’s undeniably an exceptional real-time strategy experience, one that easily ranks among the best games of 2025. However, it’s important to acknowledge that no game is perfect, and there are certain decisions within this game that could use some refinement.
Although technically the game is exceptionally well-made, and the infantry mechanics have been particularly engaging for me, I can’t help but feel it could have gone a step further. Introducing a dynamic cover system akin to Company of Heroes would add an exciting layer, allowing vehicles, terrain features, and even small barriers like walls and obstacles to provide cover. Additionally, incorporating elements such as activatable hand grenades and unique abilities could enhance the overall experience.
It’s quite logical that given the variety of gameplay modes available, it’s frustrating for some players that they can’t engage in single-player skirmish battles against AI opponents, especially when the AI is designed to serve as an adversary. This issue could be a significant deterrent for many, so let’s hope it gets addressed soon. The absence of 1 vs 1 matches is certainly inconvenient, and unless you have other players to team up with, your gaming experience is limited at present. It appears that this concern is the main focus of most negative player reviews, but with nearly 30,000 people playing it, if you’re willing to play with others, finding new players shouldn’t be a problem.
Final Score 8.5/10
In my opinion, Broken Arrow isn’t flawless, but it has become the undisputed leader in its genre for me. Whether it will sustain a thriving multiplayer community remains to be seen. On the surface, it appears to have all the right ingredients, particularly when stacked up against games from Eugen Studios. In terms of depth, relevance, and completeness, Broken Arrow is unquestionably superior, especially for those who prefer modern-day conflicts over Cold War themes and appreciate a strong single-player experience. The game’s impressive campaign and innovative deck-building system based on specialties offer endless customization possibilities, making it not just the best in its genre but also one of the top strategy experiences available in 2025. If you enjoy the games mentioned here and have been waiting for a contemporary version with fresh mechanics, Broken Arrow is definitely worth checking out. However, minor issues such as the absence of AI teammates for skirmishes and lack of 1vs1 matches hold it back from earning a perfect score. I will update this review once these concerns are addressed.
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2025-06-19 21:44