If you’re accustomed to my opinions, you probably won’t find it unusual that I’ve expressed critiques towards Broken Arrow earlier. Upon scrutinizing public feedback about the game using Google’s Gemini tool, Firaxis was frequently mentioned as a significant source of unease regarding the infantry mechanics in the game. However, after delving deeper into its systems, I may have underestimated the situation.
- 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
Let’s dive right into the fundamentals then! “Broken Arrow” is an upcoming real-time strategy or tactics game in 2025 that has generated significant excitement. It’s also the most sought-after strategy game of the year, boasting over a million eager players who are chomping at the bit to play it for the first time.
Broken Arrow Basics and Inspirations VS Aspirations
Drawing inspiration from games like Wargame: Red Dragon, WARNO, and Regiments, Broken Arrow aims to stand out among its fiercely competitive real-time strategy peers. Although it shares similar gameplay mechanics, Steel Balalaika and Slitherine have crafted a unique experience that sets it apart from the others. After spending considerable time with the game, I can confidently say that it offers a distinct take on the genre.
In this review, we’ll highlight what sets Broken Arrow apart from other games, helping you determine if it’s worth investing your time and, more importantly, your hard-earned money, given that Broken Arrow is the priciest game available. However, in today’s market, even with a triple-A price tag, exceptional quality has become somewhat scarce among triple-A titles, especially in 2025.
The Novelty of 21st Century Warfare
Broken Arrow aims to stand out by merging the intricacy of authentic war simulations with the fast-paced, real-time strategy gameplay found in traditional RTS titles. It also offers a dash of stunning graphics detail, extensive deck and unit customization options, and a contemporary setting that brings its own tactical challenges. Rest assured, Broken Arrow excels in each of these areas, creating a unique gaming experience that distinguishes it from other games on the market.
The unique aspect that distinguishes this game from others is its contemporary backdrop. Unlike other competing games that are based in the Cold War era, Broken Arrow opts for a more dynamic approach by immersing players into 21st-century warfare. This modern setting isn’t merely a decorative touch; it’s a strategic choice. The intricacy of the battlefield significantly escalates with today’s advanced technology, and the game has made substantial efforts to create mechanics that accurately portray this complexity. Consequently, the game presents a fresh set of tactical challenges and factors unparalleled by other titles. Features such as stealth fighters, drones, modern tank defense systems, guided laser bombs, radar missile technology, and contemporary firearms are some examples you’ll encounter and must adapt to.
Moving forward, let’s discuss the extent of its mechanical intricacy. Compared to Wargame: Red Dragon, WARNO undeniably advanced in complexity, offering a more intricate gaming experience beyond mere numerical values. However, in my viewpoint, Broken Arrow surpasses WARNO significantly in this aspect, and I believe the difference is substantial, if not overwhelming.
Army Builder: Building Decks and Unit Customization
In the game “Broken Arrow,” the level of mechanical complexity revolves around deck construction, which involves combining two Specializations. Currently, there are 10 Specializations available, with 5 each for the U.S. and Russians. Each Specialization comes with unique units and specific point assignments for various types of units you can use. For instance, if you prefer infantry-heavy decks, you’ll have more points for deploying infantry, while armor enthusiasts would choose specializations focused on armored vehicles.
Since there isn’t an ideal deck choice in most situations, players must make compromises when deciding where to specialize. This is why the system is called as it is. The Specializations can differ significantly from one another, with some lacking certain unit types entirely. For example, the Mobile Infantry lacks helicopters, and the airborne division lacks armored vehicles.
This approach of making concessions might leave some players puzzled, especially if they find themselves missing a specific unit type during online play. However, this system is designed to work this way due to the multiplayer aspect as well. I’ll discuss multiplayer in more detail later on, but for now, let’s focus on how it functions within the game itself.
Before venturing onto the battlefield in Broken Arrow, we’ll first discuss unit personalization, another unique aspect of this game. As you construct your deck from the two specializations you’ve chosen, you will also have the ability to customize each unit’s loadout. Despite having less than 300 units compared to games like WARNO with thousands, Broken Arrow offers a distinct advantage through its customization system.
Instead of having multiple variants for each weapons platform, as seen in other titles, Broken Arrow gives you the basic platform and the freedom to customize it according to your preference. For instance, the Stryker unit is singular in the game, but you can modify it in any way you desire. Want a Stryker with a Bushmaster cannon? You’ve got it! Prefer an M2 heavy machine gun version? It’s available too! Even the MK19 Grenade launcher option is there for you. Additionally, you can select the armor package of your choice – SRAT reactive armor or Trophy APS.
You can even customize the weapons in BMPs and the armaments of infantry squads. In terms of air support, each pylon on your planes and helicopters can be tailored to your liking, providing an unparalleled level of customization. If you’re a fan of fine-tuning your forces, this is the game for you.
Moreover, there are several skins for your units that you can unlock through challenges. While these may go unnoticed in the midst of battle, they add a nice touch to the gameplay experience.
In-Depth Battlefield Mechanics Which Set Broken Arrow Appart
First, let’s explore the intricacies of the battle mechanics in Broken Arrow before we delve into its game modes. This game aims to elevate strategy with several innovations, and one I find particularly exciting is the infantry aspect. I’ve often criticized games like WARNO and Regiments for not doing justice to infantry, either using them as mere building guards or disposable troops. However, Broken Arrow offers some significant improvements in this regard. While it has its flaws, as I’ve mentioned previously, the introduction of stealth, suppression mechanics, and the ability to take cover within destroyed building debris is a step in the right direction.
I would like to emphasize the addition of suppression mechanics, which directly impact a unit’s combat efficiency. When units are exposed to heavy fire, they can become shocked or panicked, drastically reducing their effectiveness in combat. This transformation turns ordinary infantry versus infantry skirmishes into more intricate affairs than mere numbers or statistics games, where positioning and cover can determine the outcome of the battle.
My fondness for focusing on individual unit vulnerability may seem like peeping, but it’s the harsh truth of warfare. Once something is harmed or demolished, there’s no going back. The effects of combat are not just felt by soldiers, they also affect vehicles because of this game’s realistic damage system. Each strike matters and vehicles consist of various parts such as tracks, sights, and even loading mechanisms that can be damaged during a fight. In severe situations, these damages can render units less effective or completely inoperable if not fixed. Consequently, a costly tank that can’t be moved or repaired could become a significant problem due to the limited requisition points you possess.
Let me shift the topic to another aspect: logistics, particularly supplies, in Broken Arrow. It’s important to note that supplies aren’t just for ammunition; they’re also used for repairs. There are specialized teams whose role is to distribute supplies across the map and rearrange them as necessary to ensure essential items are always available. This implies you must safeguard these supply convoys, but if captured, they can significantly weaken your enemy. These units come in various forms, ranging from trucks to helicopters.
Play Broken Arrow As You Want: Singleplayer, Multiplayer and Editor
Starting a game like Broken Arrow might initially seem intimidating due to its complexity, especially considering Wargame: Red Dragon and WARNO already have their share of challenging aspects. However, the entry level for Broken Arrow remains just as tough, requiring considerable time investment and dedication to grasp all its intricate details. Fortunately, there’s now a gradual incline, making it easier for players to climb up and learn the game, although it still presents a formidable challenge. In simpler terms, the steep learning curve has been replaced with a more manageable slope, making it less daunting to master Broken Arrow.
In the start, you’ll dive into a comprehensive yet casual tutorial covering essential mechanics and systems of each unit type, ensuring you’re well-prepared without diving straight into combat. You’ll grasp the fundamentals of infantry maneuvers, suppression, logistics, tank warfare, artillery, stealth tactics, and utilizing your air power effectively. Once you’ve got the hang of things, you can embark on the game’s expansive single-player campaign. This narrative will have you switch perspectives between the United States and Russia as they strive for control over the Baltic states. If you’re a fan of World In Conflict, this experience should feel quite familiar. The campaign spans across 16 missions, offering a variety of challenges – from covert infiltrations to last-stand defenses, urban combat, armored offensives, amphibious invasions, and airborne operations. I believe that the Broken Arrow campaign ranks as one of the top strategy games released in 2025, trailing only Burden of Command, but each offers a distinct gaming style.
In line with anticipation, Broken Arrow’s success hinges significantly on its multiplayer encounters, as gamers put their strategic abilities to the test against genuine adversaries rather than artificial ones. For your information, there are 5vs5 competitive matches spread across 19 maps inspired by real-world locales. While numerous playtesting sessions have taken place previously, if you’re unaware of how this game mode operates, here’s a brief rundown: each match spans 45 minutes, divided into three 15-minute rounds. The goal is to capture the maximum number of objectives or eliminate the most enemy units possible during these rounds. Points are tallied at the end of the match to determine the victorious team. An intriguing aspect is that the value of each objective varies by round: 1 point for round 1, 2 points for round 2, and 3 points for round 3. This design aims to maintain tension and prevent early domination from overwhelming players too quickly. Although I find this match structure appealing and innovative, I’m intrigued about its long-term viability. I believe Broken Arrow could be further enhanced by offering, at launch, 1vs1 and 3vs3 matches with a fundamental game mode. There’s also a skirmish mode for honing skills against AI, but you need at least two additional players to initiate a game. An unusual decision, that one.
What makes Broken Arrow stand out is its robust scenario editor, which is not just available to players but was also used to create the game’s campaign and cutscenes. Additionally, it integrates with Steam Workshop, allowing users to share their custom-made missions and campaigns. I’ve dabbled with the tool, and I can see it being a playground for creative minds, as they design some truly exciting missions.
Graphics: Broken Arrow Is An Undeniable Looker
I’m quite impressed by WARNO, Regiments, and Wargame: Red Dragon, each offering unique strengths. However, it wouldn’t be accurate to claim that they’re equally excellent.
WARNO stands out with its clean design, readability at a large scale, and appealing color scheme. It’s quite impressive for such a vast game.
Regiments, on the other hand, is somewhat rugged, but considering it was made by just one developer, it manages to perform satisfactorily without consuming too many resources.
Broken Arrow showcases high-fidelity graphics, but keep in mind that you’ll need a fairly powerful computer to run it smoothly at 60FPS while appreciating its visual quality. The game boasts incredibly detailed units, even down to the scratches on the armor paint. Both vehicle and infantry animations are top-notch. The explosion and smoke effects may be resource-intensive, but if your computer can handle them, they’re fantastic; otherwise, they might appear jarring compared to the game’s overall graphical excellence.
Although the game maps may not have extensive visual variety due to their Eastern European setting and realistic style, I’m willing to overlook that as they offer an impressive level of detail, featuring hundreds of buildings, trees, and various objects. In essence, the maps serve as a versatile canvas when using the scenario editor, offering numerous possibilities for gameplay customization.
Some Cracks Showing Up
Despite my consistent praise for Broken Arrow, it’s important to acknowledge that while it offers an outstanding gaming experience and stands among the top real-time strategy games of 2025, it’s not without its imperfections. Certain aspects of the game still require refinement.
From a technical standpoint, the game is incredibly well-constructed, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the infantry mechanics. However, I believe there’s room for improvement. To enhance the experience, I’d love to see a cover system that adapts dynamically, like in Company of Heroes, where various elements such as vehicles, terrain, small walls, and other barriers could provide cover. Additionally, incorporating features like activatable hand grenades and other abilities would add an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.
It’s understandable that given the variety of ways to play the game, it feels disappointing for some players when they can’t engage in one-on-one skirmish matches against AI opponents, especially since the AI is designed as an enemy. This lack of this feature may deter many potential players. Fortunately, it seems like this issue might be addressed soon. For now, if you don’t mind playing with other people instead, you shouldn’t have trouble finding new players given the game’s 29,000 active user base. However, it appears that this limitation is a common complaint among negative player reviews.
Final Score 8.5/10
In my opinion, Broken Arrow may not be flawless, but it has firmly taken the throne as the premier game in its genre for me, and we’ll see if it can sustain a dedicated multiplayer community over time. On the surface, it offers all the right elements, particularly when compared to Eugen titles. It is undeniably the most comprehensive, current, and complete experience, especially appealing to those who prefer modern-day conflicts over Cold War settings and value a rich single-player experience. The game’s engaging campaign and innovative deck-building system based on specialties provide endless customization options, making Broken Arrow not just the best game in its genre but also one of the best strategy experiences available in 2025. If you appreciate all the games mentioned here and have been waiting for a modern-day version with fresh mechanics, then Broken Arrow is definitely worth checking out. However, it falls short due to missing AI teammates for skirmishes and lack of 1vs1 matches, which I hope will be addressed in future updates. In its current state, I would rate Broken Arrow an 8, but once those issues are resolved, I might give it a 9 without hesitation.
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2025-06-17 13:44