Broken Arrow
" Immersive real-time strategy with deep unit customization but frustrating no mid-mission save "
Broken Arrow Review
Broken Arrow is a modern warfare RTS that has garnered a mixed reception, praised for its deep unit customization and engaging multiplayer gameplay but criticized for its underdeveloped single-player and PvE experiences. The game shines in 5v5 multiplayer matches, offering tactical depth, diverse factions, and a dynamic scoring system that allows comebacks. Players appreciate the modern setting, unit variety, and modding potential through Steam Workshop.
However, many reviews highlight significant drawbacks, including the lack of a mid-mission save feature, long and challenging campaign missions without pause, and limited PvE options—especially the inability to play solo against AI or have AI teammates. Technical issues such as optimization problems, crashes, disconnects in multiplayer, and bugs in campaign missions further detract from the experience. While the developers have shown responsiveness in addressing some concerns, the game feels unfinished and is often described as needing more polish and content expansion, particularly for single-player fans.
Highlights
Players praise the unit customization system, allowing tailored loadouts and upgrades that enhance strategic depth. The multiplayer 5v5 mode is lauded for its engaging gameplay, balanced factions, and dynamic victory point system promoting tactical play and comebacks.
The graphics and sound design receive positive remarks, with an immersive modern warfare atmosphere and an amazing soundtrack. The game's potential for modding and scenario creation through Steam Workshop is also a highlight, promising extended replayability and community-driven content.
Many enjoy the game's resemblance to classic RTS titles like World in Conflict, appreciating its fresh approach to modern military strategy.
Criticisms
A major criticism is the lack of mid-mission save and pause functionality in single-player and PvE modes, making long missions frustrating and inaccessible for players with limited time. The PvE content is sparse and underdeveloped, with no AI teammates and restrictive skirmish options that force multiplayer participation.
Technical issues such as performance problems, crashes, and frequent multiplayer disconnects have been reported, alongside bugs in campaign missions that sometimes render them unplayable. The campaign story and voice acting are considered weak and unpolished. Additionally, some players note a Russian faction bias and balancing issues that affect competitive fairness.
The game's price point is viewed as high given the current content and polish level, with many recommending waiting for updates or discounts.
Pros
- • Deep and flexible unit customization enhances gameplay variety and strategy.
- • Engaging 5v5 multiplayer mode with dynamic victory conditions and comeback potential.
- • Modern warfare setting with detailed units and satisfying tactical interactions.
- • Excellent soundtrack that complements the immersive combat experience.
- • Modding support and scenario editor foster community content creation.
- • Stable frame rates in many cases with generally good graphics quality.
- • Developers responsive to community feedback and quick to patch issues.
Cons
- • No mid-mission save or pause in single-player and PvE modes frustrates players.
- • PvE content lacking AI teammates and custom game options at launch.
- • Campaign missions are long, difficult, and sometimes buggy or unplayable.
- • Performance issues and crashes reported, especially during cutscenes.
- • Frequent multiplayer disconnects and reports of cheaters disrupt gameplay.
- • Campaign story and voice acting are weak and detract from immersion.
- • Balancing issues including perceived Russian faction bias in multiplayer.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
Broken Arrow - Vanguard Edition
Broken Arrow will be released on June 19 on Steam at $49.99.
Broken Arrow Vanguard Edition is now available on pre-order at $59.99.
It is a special edition which contains a number of exclusive goodies.
Advanced access to Broken Arrow: play the game ahead of everyone and jump in on the action on June 16, 3 days before launch;
Digital soundtrack: 41 intense and energetic bangers composed by the talented Evgeny Shchukin;
Digital wallpapers: customize your background with 9 beautiful wallpapers, portraying the specialization decks available in the game;
Exclusive skins: apply unique skins to specific vehicles, one per specialization.
About the Game
Broken Arrow is a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game. The base game features both the American and Russian factions, each containing 5 unique sub-factions like the marines, armored, airborne, and more.
Broken Arrow brings the genre to a whole new level by combining the complexity of a joint-forces wargame with the typical real-time tactics action-packed gameplay.
ACTION-PACKED COMBAT
Deploy to the battlefield via land, sea and air. Use paratroopers and helicopters to rapidly seize key locations, reinforce them with heavy tanks and break enemy counter attacks with artillery and tactical missile strikes.
Infiltrate special forces behind enemy lines to disrupt enemy logistics and provide laser designation for your planes. Use the terrain to your advantage to ambush, out flank and outsmart your enemy.
LARGE URBAN BATTLEFIELDS
Land with your amphibious troops in large industrial harbors, airdrop troops and vehicles to seize airports and air bases, fight in the middle of a large refinery or in entire cities filled with large apartment blocks, malls and high risers.
Broken Arrow’s large battlefields are based on actual places to reinforce their realism.
CUSTOM UNITS
The game features over 300 units and each of them can be customized in multiple ways, resulting in more than 1500 combinations.
Modern vehicles and aircraft are generally compatible with different weapons and armor packages; Broken Arrow features a detailed customisation system that allows you to modify the specific components of your units.
Customize your helicopters and aircraft by choosing which rockets, bombs or missiles they carry, add fuel tanks, designation pods, countermeasures, etc.
Add armor or active protection systems to your tanks and upgrade their weapons and sensors.
You can choose the type of ammunition your artillery uses between high explosives, sub-munitions, smoke, incendiary, thermobaric, laser guided, and more.
UNIQUE ARMY BUILDING
Part of the battle is won by planning well: create the combination of units and weapons corresponding to your playstyle to surprise and defeat your enemy.
The quantity of possibilities is enormous and this results in each battle being different from the previous one.
Broken Arrow features a wide range of units, that are split into six categories:
RECON UNITS: vehicles and drones and sniper teams specialized in the task of spotting and marking the enemy position.
INFANTRY: armed with rifles, machine guns, rocket and grenade launchers as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, infantry can garrison buildings to gain stealth and protection.
FIGHTING VEHICLES: includes tanks, ATGM carriers and fire support vehicles.
SUPPORT: includes artillery and anti-aircraft vehicles that provide long range support on the battlefield as well as trucks carrying ammunition, repairs and medical supplies.
HELICOPTERS: are great for hit and run tactics using a large variety of rockets, guns and missiles. They can also transport infantry and lift vehicles and supplies across the battlefield.
AIRPLANES: Control them on the battlefield to intercept enemy aircrafts or support your troops on the ground with bombs, rockets and cruise missiles. Cargo planes can also airdrop infantry, vehicles and supplies.
POWERFUL SCENARIO EDITOR
The scenario editor used to create the missions of the campaign will be available to the community to create their own scenarios and share them on Steam workshop.
It includes a visual scripting tool allowing you to create complete scenarios with cutscenes and dialogue without ever writing a single line of code.
IGN
“The mix of realistic weapon systems and action-packed combat works well.”
Gamestar
Broken Arrow is a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game. A unique army building system and deep units customization tools allow for endless replayability. With 300+ realistic military units and technologies, each battle is more immersive than ever before.