Hell Let Loose: Vietnam — Everything We Know

When Hell Let Loose first arrived, it shook up the FPS scene with its massive 100-player battles and realistic squad-based combat. Instead of chasing kill counts, you had to fight as part of a team, pushing the frontlines across huge maps inspired by World War II. Now, the franchise is heading into a whole new era with Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Well, devs have already made it clear that it’s not just a change of setting – it’s an entirely different kind of battlefield, one filled with jungles, rivers, helicopters, and tunnels.

The buzz around this reveal has gamers speculating nonstop. We’re talking new tactics, new roles, and a completely different rhythm of battle. We’re left with questions: How will boats change the pace of combat? What tricks will tunnel systems add to the fight? And can helicopters really shift the flow of entire matches? If you’re excited to learn more, here’s everything we know so far about Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.

What is Hell Let Loose: Vietnam?

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is an upcoming standalone first-person shooter that shifts the Hell Let Loose series from World War II to the Vietnam War. It’s not an expansion of the original game, but a completely new title built on Unreal Engine 5. It carries forward Hell Let Loose’s signature massive 50v50 battles, realistic gunplay, and hardcore teamwork – all transplanted into the Vietnam era. Like the original Hell Let Loose, this is a multiplayer-only experience (no single-player campaign) focusing entirely on sprawling online battles.

For anyone unfamiliar with the franchise, Hell Let Loose is a multiplayer FPS that focuses on large-scale, realistic warfare. It does not reward lone-wolf play. Victory comes when squads push forward, capture ground, and follow their team’s plan. Since its release, it has earned a reputation for battles that feel raw and demanding, where every move matters. By shifting into Vietnam, the developers now introduce fresh mechanics while keeping the same foundation of teamwork and realism.

Story

Instead of a traditional story campaign, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam drops players directly into the Vietnam War itself. The game’s battles are set around 1965, focusing on the fierce conflict between U.S. forces and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). The developers are aiming for a high level of authenticity – both sides will feature historically accurate uniforms, weapons, and vehicles, to make it feel like a 1960s war zone. So, this game is more about reliving the conflict as it could have felt in chaotic multiplayer clashes. And that’s a different approach compared to some shooters, but it fits perfectly with the Hell Let Loose philosophy.

Gameplay

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam keeps the same core formula as the original, but the setting completely changes how battles unfold. You still have massive 50 vs 50 matches where two armies clash across huge maps, only this time the fight is in the jungles and rivers of Vietnam. Instead of rolling hills or open European fields, battles take place across thick jungles, rice fields, rivers and beaches. Six large maps are confirmed for launch, each inspired by real operations from 1965. These maps are not exact replicas of historical locations but are designed to feel authentic to the era.

One of the notable additions is helicopters. U.S. forces will have access to fully operational helicopters for troop deployment, dropping supplies, and repositioning. Devs describe them as versatile, with roles ranging from dropping soldiers into hot zones to providing fire support. On the ground, the North Vietnamese Army will counter with tunnels. These tunnel systems expand on mechanics from the first game, allowing hidden movement, quick redeployment, and surprise attacks.

Furthermore, rivers also become central to the action. U.S. patrol boats like the PBR bring heavy firepower, while Vietnamese boats rely on stealth. Waterways cut through most maps, which means controlling them could decide how matches unfold. Alongside that, new movement options such as swimming, climbing, crawling, and dragging wounded allies promise to make encounters feel more dynamic.

Compared to the original Hell Let Loose, Vietnam aims to expand rather than replace. The World War II game focuses on towns, fields, and tanks, while Vietnam brings helicopters, tunnels, and riverboats into the mix. Both stick to the same philosophy: huge battles where communication and strategy matter more than individual stats. Vietnam simply reshapes that foundation for an entirely new type of battlefield.

Development

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is being developed by Expression Games and Team17. The idea to move the franchise into Vietnam comes from the team wanting to explore a conflict that hasn’t been covered in a major shooter for years. To achieve this, they’ve built a second development team so the original Hell Let Loose continues to receive updates and support. The devs confirm that Vietnam runs on Unreal Engine 5, with much of the codebase rebuilt to support new features like helicopters, tunnels, and river combat. Their future plans also include post-launch DLC and updates.

Trailer

The reveal trailer dives right into that Vietnam jungle atmosphere. It shows off helicopters over dense trees, soldiers moving through thick foliage, and some pretty intense firefights on the ground. It perfectly captures the raw atmosphere the devs want to bring to the game. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the video embedded above!

Release Date, Platforms and Editions

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is set to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. At launch, PC players will be able to play together across all PC platforms, while console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can squad up with one another. However, cross-play between console and PC is not planned for launch. The developers have confirmed post-launch DLC, but no special editions or pre-order versions are announced yet. To keep up with the latest news on the game, make sure to follow its official social media accounts here.