Broken Arrow (video game)

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Broken Arrow
Developer(s) Steel Balalaika Studio
Publisher(s) Slitherine Software
Director(s) Félix Habert
Engine Unity [1]
Platform(s) Windows
Release19 June 2025
Genre(s) Real Time, Strategic, Tactical
Mode(s)Single-Player & Multiplayer

Broken Arrow is a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game developed by Steel Balalaika and published by Slitherine. It was released on 19 June 2025 exclusively for Microsoft Windows via Steam. The game features American and Russian factions with a unique army building system and deep units customisation tool. [2] The game was initially announced in 2019, during a crowdfunding campaign on the Russian crowdfunding platform Boomstarter. [3]

Contents

Gameplay

Players are initially given default decks (Armies/Battlegroups) to use. Each faction is uniquely resourced to a certain specialization. Each faction has upwards of 200+ different units. [4] [5] [6]

An essential part of gameplay is resource management. During gameplay, points can be earned by eliminating enemy units, recycling existing units (sending units back to base) and by staying in the game over time. Each unit is assigned a point/monetary value, which the play can spend and recycle. As players begin to understand the mechanics of the game, they are able to directly customize and manipulate actions of individual units. When customizing/upgrading, units become more expensive and resource dependent. [7]

Factions

Russia - Russian units are based on Airborne Forces (VDV), Motostrelki (Mechanized Infantry), Morskaya Pekhota (Naval Infantry), Spetsnaz and other Russian military units. [8] [9]

United States - U.S. units are based on United States Marine Corps Marine air–ground task force, U.S. Army's Armored, Airborne and Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and US Special Operations Forces. [8] [10] [11]

Army Building

Players build/customize an army that fits their playing style. They can do this in a few ways: customizing/modifying individual units and/or by customizing their army around a specialization (airborne, armor, marines, etc). [7]

Unit Types

Source: [12]

  • Infantry - Infantry can garrison buildings to gain stealth and protection.
  • Reconnaissance - Specialized in the task of spotting and marking the enemy position.
  • Vehicles [13] - Armoured vehicles (tanks & IFVs), ATGM carriers and fire support vehicles.
  • Support - Artillery and anti-aircraft vehicles that provide long-range support and logistics vehicles carrying ammunition, medical supplies that can repair units.
  • Helicopters - Includes attack helicopters 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 (Air Support) [11] - Used to intercept enemy aircraft or support your troops on the ground with bombs, rockets and cruise missiles. Cargo planes can also airdrop infantry, vehicles and supplies.

Development

Developer Steel Balalaika is based in Russia. [14] A multiplayer beta was released in early 2024 to over 250,000 users. [15] Steel Balalaika Studios is also developing a new type of scenario editor that allows users to create scenarios with cutscenes and dialogue without the need to write code. [15]

Release

The initial release date was in 2024, but Steel Balalaika Studios pushed back the date to June 19, 2025. [16] In the months before the release, the studio announced an advanced copy release named the Vanguard Edition, which contained the soundtrack, digital wallpapers, and exclusive skins for a range of different units, with early access on Monday June 16. [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Developer Q&A Recap". Steam. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. ↑ "Broken Arrow, RTS About Modern Warfare, Won't Be Released This Year, But Will Offer Open Multiplayer Beta as Consolation". Gamepressure.com. October 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-10-13. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  3. ↑ "Broken Arrow Release Date and Time". Game8. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  4. ↑ "Strategy Game Broken Arrow Blends Joint Forces Wargame | GameWatcher". www.gamewatcher.com. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  5. ↑ Papadopoulos, John (2021-12-15). "Broken Arrow is a new strategy game, featuring over 200 different units". DSOGaming. Archived from the original on 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  6. ↑ "Highly-anticipated Command and Conquer meets Battlefield military RTS game is getting another beta". PCGamesN. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  7. 1 2 Bolding, Jonathan (11 February 2023). "Broken Arrow is a convincing attempt at a modern warfare RTS". PC Gamer . Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  8. 1 2 "Broken Arrow". Slitherine. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  9. ↑ "Broken Arrow - Dev Diary #10 - Coastal Troops Army Specialization - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. 2024-10-25. Archived from the original on 2024-11-28. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  10. ↑ "Broken Arrow - Dev Diary #8 | What's Changed". www.slitherine.com. Archived from the original on 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  11. 1 2 "Broken Arrow - Dev Diary #4 - USMC Specialization :: Broken Arrow 이벤트 및 공지". steamcommunity.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  12. ↑ "Strategy Game Broken Arrow Blends Joint Forces Wargame | GameWatcher". www.gamewatcher.com. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  13. ↑ "Broken Arrow - Broken Arrow - Dev Diary #1 - Ground Combat Vehicles - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  14. ↑ Kleffmann, Marcel (2025-03-21). "Slitherine Celebrates Ten Million Sales of Five Games and Has High Expectations for Broken Arrow". Gamesmarket. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
  15. 1 2 "Highly-anticipated Command and Conquer meets Battlefield military RTS game is getting another beta". PCGamesN. 2024-07-15. Archived from the original on 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  16. ↑ Majarucon, Alfonso (2024-10-11). "Broken Arrow Release Date and Time". Game8. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  17. ↑ "After years in development, one of the most-wanted RTS games on Steam is finally about to arrive". PCGamesN. 2025-04-29. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
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