Broken Arrow recently launched its open beta on Steam, and I got the chance to give it a go. If you’re not familiar with it, Broken Arrow is an upcoming military real-time strategy (RTS) game that places a big emphasis on unit customization and player control. It’s one of the most awaited wargames in recent years. Let’s dive into what makes it special.
Why is Broken Arrow Unique?
Unit Customization
The standout feature of Broken Arrow is the extensive unit customization available for building your decks. While other games like Wargame and Warno offer similar features, Broken Arrow takes it to another level. Even in the open beta, which includes only two factions—the US and Russia—there are countless units to choose from, each with their own customization options.
Thanks to this, the game feels like a toybox with endless possibilities. You can craft a highly competitive deck or create a goofy setup just to mess around. Whatever you choose, the game provides an incredible array of tools to fit your playstyle. It reminded me of Command and Conquer: Zero Hour, one of my favorite childhood games, where each general felt distinct and memorable. Broken Arrow made me feel like I was one of those generals.
Gameplay Experience
Day Map Skirmish
Describing how the game feels can be tough, but I’d say it’s about 80% realistic and 20% arcade. The developers have gone to great lengths to accurately recreate the units and their unique traits. For instance, the T-80 tank in the game has the same terrible reverse speed as its real-world version. Small details like this are present in all the vehicles and weapons, making the game feel very authentic.
Night Map Skirmish
The game’s arcade elements also add to the fun. Unlike in Wargame, Broken Arrow doesn’t have a unit pool where destroyed units are gone for good. Here, they just go on a cooldown, allowing you to play more daringly without the fear of permanent loss. This mechanic encourages a more adaptive playstyle. If a strategy fails, you can always retreat, regroup, and try something new. Because of this, matches are more dynamic and less prone to dragging on, compared to games like Wargame where lulls are common.
Room for Improvement
Marine With Telekinetic Powers
While Broken Arrow shows great potential, it’s not without its issues. The game is currently riddled with bugs and server problems are frequent. Disconnections are common, and crashes when quitting the game are almost guaranteed. I also noticed some visual glitches, particularly with missile trails. Hopefully, the developers will use the feedback from this open beta to iron out these problems and polish the game further.
What did you think of our first impressions of Broken Arrow? Share your experience with the open beta in the comments below.