Brutal 50v50 realistic battles return with Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Can this new time period and location bring in more players to this hardcore shooter? Or are you left longing for battles of old?
War Is Hell
Hell Let Loose captured my attention immediately when it launched back in 2021. Its blend of intense ultra realistic warfare, set across real life battlefields, was like no other game. Cover 6 Studios and Expression Games crafted a brutal war simulation that did not hold your hand and made you suffer. It developed a loyal fan base but I longed for more. I have been fascinated by the Vietnam War for many years now; the location, the tactics, the warfare and history are like no other. Needless to say, my excitement was palpable when the developers at Expression Games announced Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Thankfully, my enthusiasm has been rewarded, though not without some major issues.
If you are unfamiliar with these games, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is an online first person shooter. There is no story, other than the time period in which you participate in these battles. Set between the events of 1965 and 1973, you play as either the American army or the North Vietnamese Army. It’s that simple. You are here for online massive multiplayer battles; those looking for any resemblance of story are playing the wrong game. However, whilst there is no narrative, Expression Games have crafted a fiercely loyal and historically accurate version of the devastating war.
A Fine Line
Multiplayer games live and die on balance and this game is no different. Arguably, in an ultra realistic first person shooter like this, the stakes of balance are even higher. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam takes its first stumble here. Perhaps it’s a deliberate and accurate portrayal of the war itself, as in many of the games I played, the NVA seemed to be unstoppable. Granted, the maps are designed and tailored to their favour, with vast jungles and tunnels at their disposal but it makes playing as the USA tedious and frustrating. Balancing can be ironed out post launch but for now it’s increasingly becoming a problem for many players.
Thankfully, when it comes to gameplay it’s an absolute blast. Gunplay feels incredible and so impactful as you fire off each round in these wonderfully accurate renditions of weapons. Every bullet you fire can quite literally take an enemy’s life. New traversal mechanics, such as climbing and swimming, add variety. This makes gameplay so tense and pulsating as you are in constant fear of your surroundings. However, this may also be where players are put off. Like its predecessor, this is not for the faint hearted; expect to die over and over. The importance of a good squad remains from the original, if you have a poor squad leader, be prepared to walk for miles to arrive at the battlefield, only for your head to be immediately blown off. Patience is rewarded in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.
Shallow Waters
When you have a successful title like Hell Let Loose, it’s important that the follow up is full of existing and new content to entice players. Here lies another stumble for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. At launch, the game has only six large scale maps for players to fight on and a handful of gameplay modes. The new modes, Conquest and Domination, don’t differentiate enough to add variety. I understand the notion of ‘Don’t fix what isn’t broken’, but players need more than what is on offer to capture their imagination. One area that does deserve praise is the brilliant and in depth tutorials. These are superb in helping new players get to grips with this realistic style of gameplay.
Thankfully, the new additions to weapons and vehicles fare better. The new boats and helicopters are a blast to operate. Sure, it can be a steep learning curve to undertake, but once you grasp it, it’s a whole different game. Nineteen different classes are available to choose from at launch but I think Medic deserves the most attention. Dragging screaming allies away from fire and chaos feels so rewarding and cinematic. The new weapons and their subsequent handling, feel much stronger than the previous game. The new building additions, such as the infamous NVA tunnels, alter gameplay, allowing flanking and pincer movements. A real chess match on the battlefield.
Run Through The Jungle
Over my years of gaming, I have longed for a game to capture both the horrors and beauty of the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam really struggles in its presentation. When the game is firing on all cylinders, the battlefields are gorgeous, with vibrant jungles, haunting tunnels and bunkers and sun soaked beaches, dripping with blood. Sadly, there are far too many visual bugs and poor performance interrupting these moments. Too many texture pop ins and blurry and blocky environments disrupted my time. When gameplay is so precise and brutal, the performance needs to match. I hope this is a priority for the development team post launch.
Thankfully, I have no issues with audio design and soundtrack. Everything sounds so authentic and accurate; it’s wonderful. Footsteps so heavy and impactful and bullets fired, sound positively sickening. Screams of both allies and enemies haunt me still. Communication is once again superb. In a game that demands teamwork, it’s a seamless and easy system for players to converse with each other. The soundtrack is a solid and atmospheric attempt at capturing war through song. Sadly, due to royalties and licensing issues, no Creedence Clearwater Revival is available.
Verdict
For many years I have dreamed and waited patiently for a game that could match my fascination with the horrors and complexity of the Vietnam War. Whilst there are issues with balancing, content and visual presentation, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has all the tools to become that game. Ferocious brutal gunplay, authentic maps, weapons and vehicles will have me returning for battles for many months to come. Excellent map design and audio make this game truly terrifying at times. With a strong post launch support from the development team, this game can reach its full potential. Back to the tunnels!
