Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Reviews
The lavish jungles, rigid command structure, and emphasis on communication make Hell Let Loose: Vietnam a fascinating war simulator when it works. But its many variables can all too easily devolve into a miserable snipe-fest.
After multiple tours, I'm in love with Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. A love that occasionally is blind to the historical inaccuracies, but is also willing to live with them because, based on what we have today, this is the best Vietnam War shooter I've played since the glory days of Vietcong in 2003.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam isn’t ready for deployment. Hell, as it stands right now, it’s about as ready as Gomer Pyle was on his way to basic training.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has all the ingredients of a fantastic large-scale mil-sim, and when they come together, it's one of the most tense and satisfying shooters on PS5. It's brutal, slow, unforgiving and demanding, but that's exactly what makes getting good at it so rewarding. Unfortunately, technical issues currently get in the way too often, leaving a great game in need of some serious polish. For now, despite all these issues, I still think it's a blast to play.
There are good ideas buried somewhere in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, but the lack of content and technical polish make it feel like it needed another tour in development.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam isn't so much a worthy successor to Expression Games' breakout 2021 title as an intriguing foundation to build on. Because even if you're a fan of more methodical, competitive madness, it has a long way to go in terms of polish.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is the rare case of a game that got delayed because it needed more time to cook and actually got fixed.
50 vs 50 Rated M for Mature military battle experience on PlayStation 5
Gameplay on the Hell Let Loose Vietnam maps is only just getting underway, but the changes and new features introduced to the game show that the series is heading in the right direction. Fans of the first game should be pleased. However, it is still not a game for those who are used to the pace and dynamics of the most popular multiplayer shooters (which, to be honest, is by no means a drawback).
Review in Polish | Read full review
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a step up from the previous title, at least when it comes to the gameplay, map design and interesting role system. However, it does have optimization problems and bugs, which make it less of an appealing option for those that are accustomed to the polished, original Hell Let Loose.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam delivers one of the most realistic depictions of the conflict to date, though its slow tempo and brutal realism won't suit everyone. Ultimately, it is a methodical, tactical shooter, one that demands patience and strategy, but deeply rewards those who bring both.
Review in Persian | Read full review
The hell of war in the Vietnamese jungle offers an engaging experience for cautious team players. However, the dense jungle makes it difficult to get one's bearings, the mechanics are not always intuitive, and a lack of good squadmates will negatively impact the experience.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The tactical depth of Hell Let Loose is once again at the heart of Vietnam, but it is marred by too many flaws. Graphically, this game is mediocre to poor, and the audio is even weaker. There are enough bugs and glitches to be a real nuisance. You get the feeling you’re playing an early-access game that still needs proper testing. There’s some fun to be had with the shooting, but at the moment it’s not enough to treat this title as a time-consuming behemoth for the coming months.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam finds its greatest strength when all of its systems click, turning massive teamwork into an unpredictable and intensely immersive war experience. Driven by excellent map design and a terrifyingly atmospheric depiction of jungle combat, the game overcomes technical glitches, awkward console menus, and a steep learning curve to deliver a deeply rewarding multiplayer shooter.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has the foundations and formula of everything that the Hell Let Loose experience strives to be. Sadly, during my twenty or so hours with the game so far, I’ve had more frustration than fun. Now, I do not doubt that over the course of a few weeks those issues will be ironed out, but at the time of writing, it plays like an early-access title. In my opinion, the game needed more time in the oven, so to speak, and despite extensive Alpha and Beta testing, there are still many issues. I do understand, though, that this year’s gaming calendar is heavily congested with big-hitting releases. This means that picking a window of opportunity without competition was paramount for Expression Games and Team 17. Computer& Video Games Despite my personal bugbears with the current state of the game, it is playable at least, and when everything works as it should, there are phenomenal moments. Once the performance and atmosphere are at the level that the original Hell Let Loose achieved, then it will be an absolute joy to play. If you’re willing to be patient and work through some potential annoyances, then there is still a cracking time to be had here. It’s fair to say, though, that the developers are working hard to fix the problems; a hotfix went live after a few days, and a patch is in the works to address over 500 bug fixes and more. If you fancy picking up a copy for Xbox Series X/S, you can grab one HERE. The game also features Xbox Play Anywhere functionality if you plan to play it on PC as well as Console.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam takes everything I already enjoyed about the series and somehow makes it feel fresh again. The brutal 50 vs 50 battles, huge and varied maps, expanded movements, helicopters, patrol boats and massive selection of specialised roles all work perfectly for the Vietnam setting, while the incredible visuals and absolutely chaotic sound design make every firefight feel intense and unpredictable.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is, quite simply, more of the same as in 2021, but with a different setting. Its gameplay design and setting remain its strongest points, and it offers an enjoyable experience when it works on both the player and technical sides. However, the game certainly feels dated in its textures and has key issues across most aspects, making it feel underdone even with the delay in its release.
Even with a few minor stumbles, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam delivers a rare experience. It's not an FPS for everyone, but that's precisely why it stands out. It doesn't just want you to play a war. It wants you to enter it, obey orders, feel the fear of the jungle, and understand that surviving is already a small victory.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is an incredibly immersive and tactically deep asymmetric simulator that, despite its more limited selection of weapons and occasional visual chaos in the impenetrable jungle, delivers excellent technical performance and an unparalleled team-based experience for any well-coordinated squad.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam offers excellent gunplay, varied classes that can all pull their weight and a focus on strategy and tactics that requires your brain as much as your reflexes.