Hell Let Loose: Vietnam just unleashed its first proper gameplay trailer, and it looks absolutely brutal. Dense jungle, helicopter insertions, underground tunnel ambushes, and 50v50 firefights collide in this standalone sequel coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026. Developers Expression Games traded muddy European fields for claustrophobic Vietnamese valleys while keeping the hardcore tactical DNA that made the original a cult hit among milsim fans.
Welcome to the Jungle
The gameplay reveal opens with Hueys buzzing overhead, sun cutting through thick canopy, and squads advancing through elephant grass under withering fire. Built in Unreal Engine 5, Vietnam delivers oppressive atmosphere – volumetric fog hangs over rivers, artillery kicks up massive dust clouds, and dense foliage breaks every sightline into deadly close quarters. Maps stretch across rice paddies, hilltop villages, winding deltas, and valley floors inspired by real operations between 1965 and 1973.
Six launch maps each revolve around river systems, making waterways genuine combat zones instead of decorative borders. US patrol boats armed with mounted guns clash with NVA ambushes along banks, while infantry fights for crossing points and landing zones. Developers promise additional maps post-launch to keep rotations fresh.
Asymmetric War Machine
Vietnam’s killer feature is faction asymmetry. US forces dominate air and water with fully pilotable helicopters for troop transport, resupply, recon, and gun runs, backed by river patrol boats that shred anything crossing open water. The North Vietnamese Army counters by going underground – buildable tunnel networks let squads vanish, reposition invisibly, and pop up behind enemy garrisons for devastating flanks.
| US Armed Forces | North Vietnamese Army |
|---|---|
| Flyable helicopters | Tunnel network construction |
| River patrol boats | Ambush specialists |
| Air superiority | Home terrain advantage |
| Heavy firepower | Guerrilla tactics |
Nineteen roles span infantry, armor, recon, mortar crews, helicopter pilots, and boat handlers. Squads still operate under officer chains feeding into commanders who call artillery strikes, supply drops, and garrison placements. Warfare and Offensive modes return alongside four rotating objective types.
Movement Gets Real
Jungle combat demands smarter movement. Soldiers now swim rivers to flank, climb obstacles smoothly, crawl faster through brush, and drag wounded teammates to cover before reviving them. That last mechanic changes medic gameplay completely – no more reviving in open fields. You haul bodies to safety first or watch them bleed out under fire.
Gunplay stays lethal – headshots drop instantly, recoil punishes spray, weapon sway during sprints ruins accuracy. Environmental details shine with swaying foliage from helicopter downdraft, mud splashing under boots, and trees rustling as squads pass. No licensed rock soundtrack bloating atmosphere – just ambient jungle tension, radio chatter, and distant artillery rumble.
Built for Next-Gen Only
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches in 2026 on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No early access window announced – Expression Games aims for full release unlike the original’s long beta. Last-gen consoles got cut due to CPU demands from 100-player matches, dense foliage rendering, and vehicle physics running simultaneously.
- 50v50 multiplayer across six huge maps
- Flyable helicopters and armed patrol boats
- NVA tunnel network construction
- Improved movement with swimming, dragging, climbing
- 19 combat roles from infantry to pilots
- Unreal Engine 5 graphics with dense jungle environments
Developers confirm ongoing support for original Hell Let Loose continues separately – Vietnam targets new audiences who prefer the setting without abandoning WW2 fans. No cross-save or shared progression between titles.
Why It Matters
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam fills a gap left by Battlefield’s exit from historical shooters and Rising Storm 2’s aging. The gameplay reveal proves Expression Games understands what made those games special while maintaining the original’s slower, communication-heavy pace. Helicopters, tunnels, and river combat aren’t gimmicks – they fundamentally change how 50v50 battles unfold compared to European theaters.
Fans immediately drew comparisons to Battlefield Vietnam and Rising Storm 2, but Vietnam’s tighter squad coordination and methodical tempo separates it from run-and-gun competitors. This targets players who want authentic Vietnam chaos without compromising tactical depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Hell Let Loose: Vietnam release?
2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. No specific date announced yet.
Is it DLC or standalone?
Full standalone game built specifically for Vietnam War setting with new mechanics.
What’s the player count?
50v50 for 100 total players per match, same as original Hell Let Loose.
Can you fly helicopters?
Yes – US forces get fully pilotable helicopters for transport, resupply, recon, and air support.
How do NVA tunnels work?
Engineers build tunnel entrances that let squads fast-travel underground, pop up behind enemies, and create ambush points.
Will original Hell Let Loose still get updates?
Yes – developers confirm parallel support for WW2 game while Vietnam brings new audiences.
Any early access or beta?
Not announced – game targets full release in 2026 without early access period.
The Jungle Awaits
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam’s first gameplay proves the series translates beautifully to Southeast Asian hell. Helicopters screaming overhead, tunnels swallowing entire squads, and river battles turning deltas into killzones – it captures Vietnam War chaos while maintaining hardcore tactical fundamentals. 2026 can’t come fast enough for fans starving for authentic historical shooters.
If you crave team-driven milsim action beyond WW2 trenches, lock Vietnam on your radar. The body count starts next year.