Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Wiki
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a large-scale, tactical multiplayer shooter from Expression Games (a new, Manchester-based team established specifically for this project, distinct from the studio behind the original Hell Let Loose), published by Team17 and built on Unreal Engine 5. It's a standalone entry in the Hell Let Loose series rather than DLC, announced August 20, 2025, and set for a digital release on August 13, 2026 -- physical editions went on sale a week earlier, August 4, 2026.
A Real, Documented Delay
The game was originally set to launch June 18, 2026, but was pushed back two months after a rough Open Beta. More than 350,000 players took part, and the beta reportedly struggled with performance issues severe enough to affect nearly every PC running it, alongside broader community feedback concerns. Team17 and Expression Games used the extra time specifically to address these issues before the new August 13 date.
From WWII to Vietnam
Set during the Vietnam War (1965-1973), the game keeps the franchise's core identity -- huge 50v50 battles (100 live players total) won through real teamwork and chain-of-command coordination -- while reinventing the setting entirely. Dense jungle vegetation reduces visibility, tunnel networks open new flanking routes, and river crossings add a layer of strategy the original European battlefields never had; players used to open-field engagements will need to rethink their approach entirely.
Two Asymmetric Factions
You play as either the US Armed Forces or the North Vietnamese Army (including NVA regulars and Viet Cong), and the two sides play in genuinely different ways rather than being reskins of each other. US forces field fully operational UH-1 Huey helicopters -- a first for the entire Hell Let Loose series -- for insertions, extractions, and fire support, with dedicated Pilot and Logistics Officer roles. The NVA can construct tunnel networks, creating hidden spawn points that let them emerge behind enemy lines for surprise attacks. Both sides can contest Vietnam's rivers using heavily armed patrol boats.
Roles: A Real, Unresolved Number
There's a genuine discrepancy across official sources about exactly how many specialized roles exist -- the official Steam listing describes 17 roles, while the official hellletloose.com game page and multiple community wikis cite 19. Both agree on 6 broader unit types: Command, Infantry, Recon, Armour, Helicopter, and Mortar. The exact number is expected to be confirmed at launch rather than before it.
A First for the Series: New Player Onboarding
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam includes a dedicated tutorial for new players -- something the original game never had, having launched with no formal onboarding at all. This is a deliberate response to the franchise's long-standing reputation for a steep learning curve.
No Campaign, No Bots, No Offline Mode
This is confirmed as a multiplayer-only game -- there's no single-player campaign and no way to play against or alongside AI bots. If you're looking for a solo or offline experience, this isn't it.