New, realistic RTS game Broken Arrow is finally here, but players face a problem

Broken Arrow feels like a great middle point between accessible, classic-style RTS games such as Command and Conquer and Total Annihilation, and the more complex, realistic milsim types, like World in Conflict and Warno. One of the most wishlisted new strategy games on Steam, it's finally arrived via advanced access, meaning players who purchased the premium edition can play it right now (with the full release date to follow on Thursday June 19). So far, reception is largely positive. But there's one consistent sticking point among players which is dragging the Broken Arrow Steam reviews down.

With more than 300 units, all modeled after real-world armies and vehicles, 19 campaign missions, and both PvP and PvE multiplayer modes, Broken Arrow ostensibly contains everything you'd want in a new RTS game.

From what I've played so far, it neatly balances realism and accessibility. It won't choke you with menus, mechanics, and logistical pressures, but it still demands more tactics and planning than some of its genre contemporaries. You can't, for example, just spam build dozens of the strongest units in your roster and roll over the enemy base. Infantry need to be garrisoned inside buildings. Tanks require air support. When you call for reinforcements, you have to take the terrain and their transport time into consideration.

More than 27,000 players logged into Broken Arrow simultaneously on its advanced-access launch day, Monday June 16. Of the 1,300 Steam reviews posted so far, 71% are favorable, granting the strategy game a 'mostly positive' rating on Valve's store. However, many players cite the precise same problem. As it stands, if you want to play Broken Arrow's skirmish mode against the AI, there is no option for 1v1 - you can only play PvE skirmish in a team of three, four, or five, which means finding multiplayer comrades. That makes it tougher to practice your strategies and learn how each of the units function before heading into either the campaign or the competitive online games.

Broken Arrow's developer Balalaika was clear about this before launch: Broken Arrow's Steam page explains that AI skirmish, on release day, will only be available in 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 forms, and that "balancing for 1v1 and other single-player configurations, against and co-operatively with AI, are planned for future updates." Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of negative Broken Arrow player reviews cite this as the game's central problem.

"Developer made the strange choice to launch an RTS game without single-player skirmish vs. AI," one player writes. "Will update the review if things change as I love the gameplay."

"If you're a casual, single-player, or co-op RTS guy like me, this game is not for you," another player says. "Currently there is no way to play against AI by yourself. The skirmish mode against AI opponents requires at least three players."

Although it's already relatively strong, Broken Arrow's Steam rating will potentially improve when the full public launch day arrives. Likewise, when 1v1 skirmish games are added, that will seemingly answer a lot of the current complaints. We will have our own Broken Arrow review in the near future.

In the meantime, you might want to try some of the best 4X games, or maybe the best grand strategy games available now.

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