Broken Arrow

Overview

Broken Arrow stands as one of the most comprehensive modern warfare RTS experiences available today, combining intricate tactical gameplay with impressive scale. Developed by Steel Balalaika and published by Slitherine Ltd., the game places players in command of either American or Russian forces across detailed battlefields inspired by real-world locations. What truly sets Broken Arrow apart is its commitment to realistic military operations while maintaining accessible gameplay that doesn't sacrifice depth for approachability.

The game's core strength lies in its impressive unit diversity and customization options. With over 300 realistic military units and more than 1,500 possible unit combinations, players can craft highly specialized forces tailored to their preferred tactics. Each vehicle, aircraft, and infantry squad can be modified with different weapons loadouts, armor packages, and support systems, creating nearly endless strategic possibilities for commanders who want to fine-tune their approach to modern combat.

How Does Combat Work?

Modern warfare is multidimensional, and Broken Arrow embraces this complexity through its combined arms approach. Success requires coordinating across six distinct unit categories that mirror real military branch structures:

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• Recon units for battlefield intelligence
• Infantry for capturing and holding territory
• Fighting vehicles including tanks and fire support
• Support units featuring artillery and anti-air systems
• Helicopters for rapid deployment and strikes
• Aircraft providing air superiority and ground attacks

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The battlefields themselves become crucial tactical elements, with terrain features offering defensive positions, ambush opportunities, and strategic chokepoints. Urban environments provide infantry with cover but limit vehicle movement, while open terrain favors mechanized units but leaves them exposed to air attacks. This environmental interaction creates a dynamic battlefield where positioning and terrain awareness become as important as unit selection.

Combat unfolds with realistic weapon systems, damage models, and line-of-sight mechanics. Artillery can suppress enemy positions, special forces can designate targets for air strikes, and anti-air batteries create denied airspace that opposing aircraft must navigate carefully. This intricate web of capabilities and countermeasures creates engagements that reward thoughtful planning and quick adaptation rather than simply overwhelming force.

Content & Gameplay Modes

Broken Arrow offers a substantial single-player campaign featuring 19 handcrafted missions set in the Baltic region. The narrative unfolds from both American and Russian perspectives, presenting escalating global tensions through varied mission objectives and cinematic storytelling. Each mission introduces new tactical challenges, from defensive operations to combined arms offensives, testing your command abilities across different combat scenarios.

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Beyond the campaign, the game features multiple ways to experience its tactical gameplay:

What Makes Army Customization Special?

The Army Deck system represents one of Broken Arrow's most distinctive features. Rather than selecting from preset factions or unit rosters, players construct customized "decks" that determine which forces they can deploy during battles. This system combines the strategic depth of deck-building games with real-time tactical combat.

Players select specialized battlegroups that determine overall force composition and available units. Within these battlegroups, individual units can be extensively modified with different weapon systems, armor packages, and support equipment. This creates a meta-game of army construction where players experiment with different combinations to find optimal setups for various scenarios and opponents.

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The skirmish mode lets players test these custom forces against AI opponents across 19 maps based on real-world locations. Difficulty levels can be adjusted to provide appropriate challenges for players of all skill levels. For those seeking human competition, the multiplayer mode supports matches with up to 5 players per side, complete with leaderboards and progression systems that track your performance and award medals as you rise through the ranks.

Creative commanders will appreciate the robust Scenario Editor, which provides the same tools used by the developers to create the campaign missions. This powerful editor allows for custom scenario creation with scripted events, cutscenes, and dialogue using a visual scripting system that requires no coding knowledge. Completed scenarios can be shared through Steam Workshop integration, ensuring a steady stream of community-created content.

System Requirements

Conclusion

Broken Arrow delivers a compelling blend of strategic depth and tactical action that few other modern warfare games achieve. Its extensive unit customization, combined arms gameplay, and variety of game modes provide remarkable replayability for strategy enthusiasts. Whether commanding tank battalions across open fields, coordinating helicopter insertions behind enemy lines, or calling in precision airstrikes on enemy positions, the game captures the complexity and intensity of contemporary military operations. For players seeking a real-time strategy experience that balances authentic military simulation with engaging gameplay, Broken Arrow stands as a standout title in the tactical warfare genre.