Broken Arrow Launches: The Modern Warfare RTS We’ve Been Waiting For
After a long and tantalizing lead-up, Broken Arrow has officially deployed. Developed by indie upstarts Steel Balalaika and published by strategy veterans Slitherine, this real-time tactics beast drops players straight into a sprawling, no-holds-barred digital battlefield. Think of it as the brainchild of World in Conflict and Wargame: Red Dragon, stripped of tedium and pumped full of sleek, modern firepower.
Modern Combat, Maximized
Broken Arrow delivers over 300 customizable units across the American and Russian arsenals—tanks, helicopters, jets, drones, infantry, you name it. Every engagement is a dynamic tug-of-war where strategy reigns and micromanagement matters. There’s no base-building here. Instead, players call in reinforcements that actually travel onto the battlefield, capture key zones, and tactically maneuver through beautifully rendered Baltic terrains.
This system is both thrilling and intuitive—PCGamesN praises how “Combat is simultaneously large-scale and minute, a combination of macro and micro,” and how it “walks the line” between cinematic spectacle and tactical depth.
Deep Mechanics & Smart Strategy
Several previews highlight signature mechanics that elevate this beyond standard RTS fare:
- Realistic resupply and ammo tracking: Aircraft and vehicles run out of shells and need resupply—refueling and repairs matter.
- Line of Sight & Recon-based gameplay: Scouts and drones shape the battle. Knowing what the enemy sees is often more important than brute force.
- Strategic map control: Hold objectives, manage points, and adapt on the fly—losing a squad or aircraft can shift momentum.
- Dynamic terrain utilisation: Baltic-style elevation and urban landscapes were specifically praised by Strategy & Wargaming for pushing you to leverage high ground, choke points, and flanking maneuvers.
Reddit users during open beta said this is “way more fun and smooth to play” than even genre staples like Wargame EE or Red Dragon, while others called it “the BEST RTS game you’ve NEVER heard of”.
Campaigns, Customization & Chaos
At launch, Broken Arrow features 19 single-player missions across both American and Russian perspectives. Reviewers noted that the campaign structure echoes the tone and pacing of World in Conflict, with layered objectives and dramatic moments.
The army builder and deck system let you personalize every unit: change weapons, armor, roles, and more—over 1,500 combinations in play. You’ll quibble over loadouts, artillary switches, and recon coverage more than base placement.
A Voice Cast With Teeth
Adding gravitas to the modern military chaos is a stellar voice cast led by veteran actor D.C. Douglas, who plays Counselor Miller—a slippery, sharp-tongued figure whose motivations are as unpredictable as a missile in flight. Douglas brings his signature menace and charm to the role, giving the campaign a cinematic sheen and making each of Miller’s scenes a standout moment.
Multiplayer Mayhem & Mod Support
Broken Arrow offers ranked 1v1 to 5v5 matches alongside co‑op, skirmish, and a full-featured scenario editor via Steam Workshop. Reviewers note how streamlined reinforcements and supply logistics make multiplayer “fast-paced yet tactically deep”.
What the Critics Say
- PCGamesN: “First RTS to successfully walk the line between cinematic flair and tactical depth.”
- Roundtable Co‑Op: “Broken Arrow is looking great… it’s the best mechanical and graphical representation of modern units we’ve had.”
- Strategy & Wargaming: Praises terrain impact and pacing, noting a hint of World in Conflict nostalgia.
The Bottom Line
Broken Arrow doesn’t just simulate modern warfare—it lets you orchestrate it with satisfying, unrelenting precision. With its balance of realism and accessibility, deep unit management, fast reinforcements, and smart audio‑visual presentation, this feels like the next step for the modern RTS. And with D.C. Douglas delivering memorable performance as the wily Counselor Miller, it’s one war game you’ll want to hear as much as see.
Load up. Lock in. The battlefield is live.
