By Joseph Luster

The world of first-person shooter Hell Let Loose, which originally debuted as a World War II game in 2021, is getting ready to expand into new territory. The aptly-titled Hell Let Loose: Vietnam aims to do exactly what it says on the tin, taking the platoon-based multiplayer action into a new era of war with a focus on authenticity and prevailing through tightly-executed teamwork.

This time around, players can look forward to 50-v.-50 battles throughout the war spanning 1965 to 1973, highlighting many of the events that occurred in the process. The gameplay itself should remain familiar to anyone who played Hell Let Loose, so the real thrill here will undoubtedly be seeing how that translates to a dramatic new set of environments.\

One of the most exciting aspects of the original game was the way in which vehicles were implemented. The sheer diversity and true-to-life nature of this combat mechanic made it all the more immersive, and developer Expression Games looks to carry that over in Vietnam. Aerial units like helicopters are key for everything from reconnaissance and cover fire support to basic troop deployment and supply deliveries, and can make or break your mission from the very beginning. You may also find your tactics depend on how well you can maneuver iconic U.S. patrol boats like the PBR.

Mixed in with all this is the sprawling network of tunnels for which the North Vietnamese forces were known. These can be used to move troops and conduct surprise attacks, so keeping this in mind will be key to victory in an already complex war. If this all comes together smoothly, it should build upon, and hopefully exceed, the quality established the first time around.

Genre: Shooter
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Publisher: Team17

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