Today in our Pixel Sundays article, we are talking about the tactical shooter Hell Let Loose. A game that significantly differs from Battlefield or Call of Duty. In the game, 100 players fight against each other in massive battles. What makes it special is that communication, squads, commanders, and logistics are just as important as good aim. But the game was not always as big as it is now, as everything started as a small World War II Kickstarter project.
Summary
Over several years, Hell Let Loose developed into one of the most recognizable brands in the tactical multiplayer shooter genre. Since Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, the franchise even extends beyond World War II. In Vietnam, many systems are carried over, but the jungle, helicopters, tunnels, and other weapons change the feel of the game. Finally, we will also take a look at the future of the franchise.
From Kickstarter Project to Hardcore Shooter
The game was initially developed by Black Matter, a studio founded in 2015. Originally, the plan was to develop Hell Let Loose for PC. Even back then, the core idea was massive multiplayer lobbies with 100 players, meaning 50 versus 50. Instead of a small arena, they wanted large frontlines featuring infantry, tanks, and artillery. The developers aimed to depict World War II as authentically as possible, with a strong focus on squad communication. However, despite the desired realism, they wanted to keep the game more accessible than other military simulations.
On August 30, 2017, a Kickstarter campaign was launched to fund the game’s development. The funding goal was AU$136,000, and after just 24 hours, almost half of it was funded. The entire goal was reached within a few days. After 30 days, AU$308,368 was raised from 5,284 backers. This funding also allowed several stretch goals to be met, adding more maps, light tanks, mobile artillery, anti-personnel mines, and flamethrowers.
The Kickstarter roadmap originally scheduled the game for an Early Access release on Steam in Q2 2018. Unfortunately, this deadline could not be met, and Hell Let Loose was ultimately released in Early Access on Steam on June 6, 2019. This highlights how much the scope and development expanded due to the extra Kickstarter features. In November 2018, a partnership with Team17 was announced, with Team17 taking over publishing duties. The maps were built based on historical aerial photographs and satellite data, with some battlefields even constructed on a 1:1 scale.
Why Hell Let Loose Plays Differently Than Other Shooters
In Hell Let Loose, two teams of 50 players fight against each other. The teams are divided into multiple squads, with each Squad Leader commanding a unit. Above them is the Commander, who communicates exclusively with the Squad Leaders. This creates clear chains of command and allows for real tactics to be deployed. To organize all of this, there are several voice channels: one for the squad, one for command, and local communication. You actually have to relay information to formulate a battle plan. Enemy positions, tanks, or spawn points must be reported.
There are over a dozen specialized roles in the game. The Rifleman, for example, is a standard infantryman. The Machine Gunner provides suppressive fire, the Medic treats the wounded, the Engineer builds nodes and defensive points, Support delivers crucial supplies, Anti-Tank handles vehicles, and Recon operates with a Spotter and Sniper. Tank crews form their own dedicated units. Some roles are limited within a squad, ensuring not everyone can choose the same weapons.
The maps consist of multiple sectors, meaning you are not just fighting for individual flags, but over an entire frontline that shifts dynamically during a match. Over time, you build new spawn points for the team, saving valuable time. The enemy will attempt to destroy the garrisons where you can spawn, as building such structures requires limited supplies. The Commander accumulates resources over time, which can be spent to support the team. They can call in bombing runs, supply drops, or additional vehicles. Well-organized logistics can decide the outcome of a battle.
Combat in Hell Let Loose is brutal; often, a single hit is enough to kill an enemy or be killed yourself. You rarely get hints about where an enemy is hiding, as shots frequently come from long distances. You must always ensure you use cover, as sprinting across an open field can be extremely dangerous. A single artillery strike can halt entire offensives. Tanks are also highly dangerous and require a full squad to operate effectively. But without proper infantry support, even a tank will not get far.
From Indie Success to an Independent Multiplayer Franchise
About two years after its Steam Early Access debut, the full version was released in July 2021. The full release introduced the Eastern Front, making the Soviet Union a new playable faction. Additionally, new weapons, vehicles, and historical battlefields were added. In October 2021, ports for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series followed. Crossplay is possible between the two consoles, but not between PC and console.
Hell Let Loose continued to expand even after its release. The Western Front remained a central focus, but additions were also made to the East. British forces were introduced later on. Furthermore, North Africa expanded the environments with new vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and maps. Existing maps were also reworked over time. Gameplay and balancing systems evolved over the years as well. By the end of 2022, 13 major free content updates had already been released.
On January 6, 2022, Team17 fully acquired the IP from Black Matter. The game was purchased for £31 million—£19.75 million in cash and the remaining £11.25 million in shares. This valuation is highly remarkable for a game that was funded with AU$308,000 on Kickstarter just a few years prior. Team17 intended to turn the game into a massive multiplayer shooter franchise. In 2023, Expression Games was announced as a co-development studio, and Black Matter subsequently stepped away from the project.
Hell Let Loose is still receiving updates after many years. In June 2026, Update 20 was released, bringing the new Juno Beach map into the game. Canadian forces were also introduced alongside new weapons, vehicles, and uniforms. Moreover, the tank mechanics were overhauled, accompanied by balance adjustments, quality-of-life improvements, and bug fixes. More updates are planned for the original Hell Let Loose in the future.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Brings the War to the Jungle
On August 20, 2025, the announcement for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam was made. The presentation occurred during the Future Games Show. Developed by Expression Games, this is a standalone game and not a DLC for the WW2 Hell Let Loose. The game was released on August 13, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. The developers describe Vietnam as the next chapter in the series. The goal is to preserve the Hell Let Loose DNA and transfer it into a completely different war.
Furthermore, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam features 50v50 battles with a Commander structure. There are still multiple squads with various specialists. New to the game are dedicated helicopter units on the US side. Currently, there are 17 different roles in the game. Additionally, the game offers new alternative modes like Warfare and Offensive.
At the release of Vietnam, there were six large maps, all inspired by real locations and events. You can expect the following maps:
- Thanh Hóa Bridge: A map featuring the famous “Dragon’s Jaw” bridge. The map includes many river crossings and mountainous terrain.
- Huế Outskirts: A map with mountains, terraced fields, and dense jungle. It also features industrial areas and waterways.
- Vạn Tường: A map with villages, jungle, and a large river network.
- Quảng Ngãi: This map is special because it was flooded by a monsoon and is largely destroyed. On the map, you will find cliffs, caves, and bamboo forests.
- Đắk Tô Airfield: This map offers a much more open area. It is a large map centered around a long airfield.
- Cam Ranh Port: The last currently available map is a military port with industrial areas and large bodies of water.
With Hell Let Loose Vietnam, the atmosphere and combat dynamics change. The dense jungle reduces visibility, and the vegetation offers far more hiding spots. As a result, ambushes play a larger role. The mountains introduce vertical combat, and rivers become a crucial part of the battlefield. Due to the different historical context, the weapons are more modern, and there are more automatic firearms. Additionally, mortars are a new, distinct unit.
Helicopters, Tunnels, and New Ways Across the Battlefield
In the original Hell Let Loose, there are no flyable aircraft, but in Vietnam, you can pilot helicopters for the first time. On the US side, there are dedicated helicopter units with pilots and logistics officers. The helicopters can transport troops, deliver supplies, or provide supporting fire. This allows you to reach the front faster, but landing zones must be secured so that you do not fall into an ambush.
The Vietnamese side does not receive systems identical to helicopters. Instead, they can construct tunnel networks, allowing units to be relocated covertly. This enables surprise attacks, making even a recently secured area a danger for the enemy. This means both sides have their advantages. The US forces offer high mobility and powerful helicopters. In return, the NVA relies on camouflage, terrain, tunnels, and guerrilla tactics.
Many of the maps feature significant amounts of water, whether rivers or flooded areas. To navigate these efficiently, there are new patrol boats that you can pilot yourself. This turns rivers into vital transport routes. Infantry units can now also swim if a boat is unavailable. While you are quite safe on open rivers with boats, swimming leaves you virtually defenseless.
The infantry units have also received improved movement systems. In addition to swimming, they can climb better, crawl faster, and you can even drag wounded comrades away. As a result, medics no longer always have to revive in the middle of open fire. This movement style fits better with the jungle and rocky terrain, aiding the Vietnamese troops who frequently attack from ambush. Overall, the game offers more changes than just new maps and weapons.
The Future of Hell Let Loose
Shortly after the release of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, the first major roadmap for the game’s future was published. The roadmap covers the rest of 2026; parallel to the new features in the roadmap, permanent optimizations, bug fixes, and QOL updates are being released. One of the first patches, Patch 1.2, already included 500+ fixes and improvements.
The first large, proper content update arrives in September. It introduces new weapons for both the US forces, featuring the M14, and the NVA, with the Type 56 SKS. Additionally, the UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” enters the game, marking the first officially licensed vehicle in HLL history. There are even plans to have a radio in the Huey, operable by the co-pilot. The music can also be heard from the outside, which could unfortunately attract enemies.
Update 2.0, for which there is no exact release window yet (other than 2026), brings the first new map since launch: Khe Sanh. This map is intended to differ significantly from previous maps. With 2.0, Australia and New Zealand also join, providing allies for the US forces. Furthermore, the L1A1 SLR, F1 SMG, and the L16A1 Mortar will be added as new weapons.
Update 3.0 introduces yet another new map, Rung Sat, featuring swamps and dense jungle. Additionally, both sides will receive armored transport vehicles, which is also the focus of the update. The NVA will get the MAT-49 and the SVD Dragunov as additional weapons. US & Allies will receive the Stoner 63 and an M14 with a scope. Fittingly with the Stoner 63, Navy SEALs will also be added. This expands the US side into an increasingly broad faction with various units.
Sometime during the year, the new Battalions game mode is also scheduled to arrive. In this mode, you have a permanent playgroup, making it particularly relevant for clans. You can track statistics there and gather progress together, unlocking new content. Furthermore, vehicle skins are planned. However, as mentioned earlier, further updates are also coming for the original Hell Let Loose. And perhaps in a few years, a new Hell Let Loose focusing on a completely different war will be released.
Conclusion: Hell Let Loose Stays True to Its DNA and Evolves
Hell Let Loose has undergone an impressive evolution since its start as a Kickstarter project. Over the years, a relatively small hardcore shooter has grown into an established multiplayer brand, distinguishing itself from many other shooters primarily through team play, communication, and large tactical battles. Despite new factions, maps, and mechanics, this core idea has remained intact to this day.
With Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, the series is now taking a significantly larger step for the first time. Helicopters, tunnels, dense jungle, and asymmetrical capabilities for both sides ensure that the battles play differently without abandoning the familiar Hell Let Loose DNA. The roadmap in particular shows that Vietnam is only at the beginning: New maps, factions, weapons, and the Battalions mode are set to expand the game substantially in the coming months.
At the same time, the original Hell Let Loose continues to be supported. Thus, two games currently exist in parallel, covering different wars and playstyles. Should this approach be successful, Hell Let Loose could even evolve into a long-term series that repeatedly takes on new historical conflicts—without losing sight of the tactical 50v50 gameplay.
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