Broken Arrow - An amazing strategy game with deep mechanics

What is this game about

Broken Arrow is a real time strategy game inspired by Wargame: Red Dragon, set in the present day where modern militaries clash with each other on a map. Build the perfect army, overpower and outwit your foes while coordinating with allies using a huge variety of different units and tactics. The possibilities are limitless.

Play as either the USA or Russia with some of their latest equipment such as the HiMARS rocket artillery, SU-57 and F-35 jet fighters, M1A2 Abrams, T14 Armata and T-90 tanks or even the infamous S-300 SAM battery.

The game is currently in beta access and will be available in 2024 for a full release.

Overview

The game consists of building an army composition (called a deck) before the match starts by selecting multiple specialization as either the USA or Russia. Pick the best units in each category and create the mightiest army. Once the match starts you will be given points to spend on the units in your deck. Spawn your units on the map and let them drive or fly towards their desired position, once you detect the enemy start micromanaging your troops so that they either overwhelm or flank the foes.

Different types of units will have different abilities and will need to be used at the right time in the right manner. The game is complex and learning curve is high, but winning is highly rewarding.

Deck building

Select the units that fit your style the most and equip them with the best loadouts. The current options are quite numerous considering the game is in still beta.

Select from multiple types of units, such as recon, infantry, vehicles, support and airforce. Each deck has a total amount of points you can spend and a limit per category of units, below is an example of a USA deck:

You want to bring a good balance of units from infantry to anti-air and tanks, combined arms warfare is very important.

How is the gameplay?

At the start of the game, you will deploy your units into the battlefield and try to gain an aerial advantage by killing enemy planes and intercepting para-drops of infantry units.

You spawn in units by spending points, if you manage to destroy enemy jets in the opening minute, you will gain a points advantage as the enemy cannot retreat destroyed units back to base to get a points refund.

Artillery is a major component of any offensive and must be used as much as possible, especially when you are about to assault a position as this will stun and potenially destroy enemies before you even have to face them.

Capturing points assures your victory as they are the victory condition. You must move your land units into the designated zones and not let enemies get in there, attack and defend those with all your might as they get you the win.

Assaulting positions should be done by hammering those with artillery then moving in infantry protected by tanks or helicopters. You always want recon units to spot enemies before you try and move out of hiding, as ambushes are common, the superior optics of reconaissance troops and vehicles are sure to see through tanks in a forest before to take a shot to the back.

You can transport infantry via helicopter, truck and APC transports or airdrop them. You can also deliver supplies to your front lines to repair damaged units

Air units and anti air are both very powerful tools in the right hands when used at the right time, the extreme long range of anti-air units such as the Patriot and S-300 make denying enemy air superiority and intercepting cruise missiles easy. But if your oponent forgets to invest in air defense or SEAD destroys their battery you can punish them dearly by dropping bombs and cruise missiles on their positions without getting contested.

When moving through open ground you need tanks, but when moving through forests you need infrantry. In an urban environment you need a good variety of units such as infantry, IFV/APCs and tanks, maybe even supported by an attack helicopter. Using the right units at the right time is paramount to your success.

What I didn't like from the beta

Since this is a beta, there are a few bugs and problems, some of them being:

• Issued orders may be forgotten by the units
• Units don't feel as responsive than in Warno or Wargame
• Server connection problems
• Occasional crashes
• Gameplay balance, some units are useless

Should I play it?

Yes, if you enjoy strategy games such as Warno, WG:RD, Company of Heroes it comes as a huge refreshment in a somewhat niche genre. This game is absolutely brilliant and you should at least try it when you get the chance.