For fans of tactical first-person shooters, the original Hell Let Loose carved out a brilliant niche. Set during World War II, it successfully bridged the gap between traditional arcade shooters and hardcore military simulations, emphasizing deep teamwork, communication, and strategy. I personally have had an absolute blast with it over the years. However, the Vietnam War has always held a special place in my heart as a favorite setting for video games, tracing all the way back to classics like Battlefield: Vietnam andRising Storm 2: Vietnam later on. With Hell Let Loose: Vietnam finally out in the wild, I was beyond excited to dive in, though, sadly, I am struggling to find it as the next big multiplayer obsession I hoped it would be.
Bugs, Content, and Growing Pains
When examining Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, the technical state of the game is impossible to ignore. It is currently riddled with various bugs that actively hinder the experience. These range from minor visual annoyances, like flares remaining as a constant red dot on the map, to severe gameplay hindrances, such as dropped supplies becoming completely invisible for an entire match.
The vehicle mechanics are particularly rough right now. It is frustratingly common to have your point of view completely messed up while inside a vehicle, or to experience the bug where certain vehicles have a bizarre tendency to randomly explode upon hitting an obstacle, even if you are moving at a snail’s pace. A few minor bugs here and there would be no problem at all, but I have yet to play a single match where I haven’t encountered at least two bugs that made a significant, negative difference in my enjoyment of the game. I have full confidence that developer Expression Games will manage to iron these issues out over the course of the year, but in its current state, it makes the game far less fun to play than it should be.
Beyond the technical instability, the content offering leaves a lot to be desired. In terms of sheer volume, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam sadly feels more like an expansion than a standalone full game. This contributes heavily to the pervasive feeling that the title really should have launched in early access.
To start, there are only five maps available at launch. While it is true that these maps all possess their own distinct identity and successfully distinguish themselves from one another aesthetically and topographically, six maps simply feel like too few for a full release. Furthermore, the weapon variation leaves players wanting more. While the arsenal is likely quite historically accurate to the Vietnam War, it often feels like you are using the exact same weapons no matter which class you choose, dampening the sense of progression and role differentiation.
When the Jungle Comes Alive
Despite its heavy flaws and bugs, it is important to highlight that when Hell Let Loose: Vietnam actually works, it plays even better than its World War II predecessor. There is something truly special and terrifying about sprinting through the high grass of Vietnam, watching your fellow squadmates drop one by one, and having absolutely no idea where the hidden enemy is firing from.
Some of my absolute favorite moments involve riding along in a boat through the winding rivers, only for the water to suddenly erupt in explosions as attackers from both riverbanks ambush the patrol. In those breathtaking moments, the game reaches a peak in the military FPS genre that is remarkably hard to find anywhere else. When the stars align, the atmosphere is electric, and the game shines brilliantly.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is bogged down by frustrating bugs and significant stability issues. While it is undeniably a game with massive, undeniable potential, its current pricing model, combined with the fact that it launched as a full release rather than early access and frequently feels like it could have simply been a DLC for the original Hell Let Loose, makes it a tough sell.
It is especially hard to recommend to newcomers to the series, who could easily pick up the first game on sale and have a far smoother, more complete experience. However, if you are a hardcore fan of this specific tactical genre and are desperately craving something new in the jungle, it might eventually be worth your time, though it will almost certainly be a much better and more polished experience later this year.
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