Review: Hell Let Loose - Vietnam

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam brings the large-scale tactical warfare of the well-known shooter series to the Vietnam War. Developer Expression Games and publisher Team17 again opt for realism, collaboration and strategic insight instead of quick action and simple kills. The result is a multiplayer shooter that can yield impressive battles, but at the same time requires a lot of patience from the player.

The game was released on August 13, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. With battles for up to a hundred players, dense jungles, helicopters, patrol boats and underground tunnels, the game tries to give a distinctive view of the Vietnam War. The question is whether this new setting offers enough innovation to convince both veterans of the original Hell Let Loose and new players.

The main feature of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is the way it approaches fighting. This is not a shooter in which you run over the battlefield without thinking and take out dozens of opponents. Choosing position, sharing information and working with your team are essential to be successful.

The large-scale 50-to-50 battles create a constantly changing battlefield. While one group tries to conquer territory, another can build a line of defense or prepare a surprise attack. This creates a feeling of a larger military operation in which individual players are only a small but important part.

The Vietnam setting fits perfectly with this approach. The dense vegetation limits sight, enemies can hide and an apparently quiet environment can turn into a deadly ambush within seconds. You don't always know where the enemy is, and that uncertainty makes confrontations exciting.

At the same time, this approach can be frustrating. Sometimes you get turned off before you üUnderstands where the shot came from at all. Also long walks to the front can end in a short confrontation after which you have to start again. That fits the realistic character, but does not make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

The gameplay builds on the familiar base of the series. Players choose different roles and need to tailor their skills to the needs of their unit. Communication, positioning and supporting teammates are at least as important as personal shooting skills.

The weapons feel powerful and dangerous. Firefights have more weight than in many regular multiplayer shooters. You can't just rely on quick reflexes or a large number of bullets. Identifying enemy positions and choosing the right time to attack often make the difference between profit and loss.

The game contains six game modes, including Warfare and Offensive. In Warfare, both teams fight for control over sectors, while Offensive is about attacking and defending. These different objectives give teams different tactical challenges.

The greatest strength is that good cooperation actually pays off. A squad that communicates effectively, supports each other, and consequently pulls together, has a clear advantage. When you play with friends or end up in a team in which everyone takes their role seriously, a competition can become particularly intense and satisfying.

The opposite is true, however. When teammates barely communicate or draw their own plan, much of the experience falls apart. Dependence on other players is one of the most important distinctive features of the game, but at the same time one of the biggest weaknesses.

The transition from World War II to Vietnam is more than a change of scenery. EnvironmentïIt affects how you move, where you take cover and how you prepare an attack. Instead of mainly open terrain and traditional front lines, you'll have to deal with jungles, rivers and unexpected enemy positions.

The US forces have helicopters that change the movement of troops and the fights. The North Vietnamese forces, on the other hand, can use extensive tunnel systems to move and carry out surprise attacks. Patrol boats also add an extra tactical dimension to the battle on and around rivers.

This asymmetry makes the different playing styles interesting. One party can use its mobility and firepower, while the other benefits from terrain advantage and hidden routes. As a result, the conflict feels different from the fighting from the original game.

Yet not every part is equally innovative. A large part of the familiar formula is retained, so experienced players of the original will soon recognize how the matches are built. The new vehicles, environments and tactical possibilities create variation, but do not completely change the basic gameplay.

Visually, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam a convincing war setting. The jungle, the varied landscapes and the large battlefields contribute to the feeling that you are in the middle of an inconvenient conflict. Especially when several units advance at once and are fired from different directions, the scale of the battles comes forward well.

The atmosphere is one of the strongest parts of the game. The combination of limited sight lines, unexpected attacks and the continuing threat of enemy fire makes the battlefield credible and tense. You don't have to constantly see action to feel like there's danger.

The sound also plays an important role. Shots, vehicles and distance combat help to interpret the environment. However, there is room for improvement in the audio mix and the clarity of certain sound signals. In a shooter in which recognizing the enemy is essential, unclear audio can adversely affect the gameplay.

The technical presentation is also not entirely free of problems. Performance and stability have been important concerns around the release. If the technique does not function smoothly, it will be at the expense of immersion and may even affect the outcome of a fight. This is particularly unfortunate in a game where timing and positioning are so important.

With multiple game modes, different reels, vehicles and large multiplayer fights Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a solid basis for long-term fun. No two games need to be the same. The composition of your team, the chosen tactics and the way both parties use the terrain can completely change the course of a fight.

The ability to work with helicopters and patrol boats gives the fighting additional possibilities. The tunnels of the North Vietnamese forces provide a different way of moving and attacking. This requires players to take into account not only the enemy before them, but also potential threats from unexpected directions.

However, the amount of content at launch is not unlimited. The number of factions, weapons and battlefields available offers scope for expansion. For players who expect fast new equipment, many different environments or constantly new challenges, the content may feel somewhat limited in the long run.

Further support from the developer will therefore be important. New cards, weapons, vehicles and other additions can significantly extend the lifespan. The basis is present, but the future of the game partly depends on how well the developer continues to improve content and technical finishing.

An important focus is the learning curve. Although the game is trying to help new players with an extensive tutorial, it remains a demanding shooter. You need to learn how the different roles work, how to move on the battlefield and when to better attack or take cover.

For fans of realistic military shooters that is an advantage. The feeling that you understand a complex situation and achieve a goal together with your team makes the effort worthwhile.

For players looking for quick action, this is different. Long journey times, unexpected deaths and competitions in which communication is decisive can quickly become exhausting. Even without a well organized squad it can be difficult to get the maximum out of the game.

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is therefore asking not only for skill, but also for the right expectations. Those who are willing to learn and work together will have a profound experience. Those who want to dive directly into the action should look for a more accessible shooter.