From Normandy to the Jungle: Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a New Chapter for the Hardcore FPS

The name Hell Let Loose has become synonymous with a specific brand of intense, historical warfare: massive 50 vs. 50 battles, a focus on realism, and deep, squad-based strategy. Now, the developers are taking that beloved formula and transporting it to a new, and even more brutal, theater of war. At Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live, Expression Games and publisher Team17 announced a brand-new, standalone title: Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. This is not just a DLC or an expansion; it’s a full-fledged new entry in the franchise, built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5. The game promises to bring all of the intensity of the original to the jungles, rice paddies, and rivers of Southeast Asia, with a host of new features that are designed to capture the unique and savage nature of the Vietnam War. The game is set for a 2026 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and it’s already available for wishlisting on all platforms.

The Battle for Vietnam: A New Kind of War

While the core gameplay loop of squad-based, objective-driven warfare remains, the new setting has allowed the developers to introduce a host of new mechanics that are directly inspired by the historical conflict. The most significant change is the environment itself. The maps are no longer confined to the open fields of Europe or the snowy forests of Russia; they are now dense, claustrophobic jungles and open, exposed rice fields, forcing players to adapt their tactics on the fly. The game will feature six large-scale maps at launch, each one meticulously crafted and inspired by real-world battles and operations. The new environment also gives rise to a new kind of warfare. The U.S. Forces will now have access to fully operational helicopters for rapid troop deployment and supply drops, giving them a significant advantage in the air. Meanwhile, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) will be able to build and utilize extensive underground tunnel networks, which serve as a mobile garrison system, allowing them to conduct surprise ambushes and outmaneuver the enemy with a terrifying efficiency. This asymmetrical combat dynamic is a central theme of the game, and it promises to create a strategic and tactical experience that is unlike anything else in the genre.

• Asymmetrical Warfare: The game introduces a new dynamic between the US Forces and the NVA, with each side having unique advantages and weaknesses.
• New Vehicles and Mechanics: Players can now pilot helicopters and patrol boats, and the NVA can build and utilize underground tunnel networks.
• Immersive Environments: The maps are based on real-world locations and feature a variety of new terrain, including dense jungles, sprawling river networks, and open rice fields.

A Return to Form, and a New Beginning

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is not just a new setting; it’s an opportunity for the developers to make significant improvements to the core gameplay. In a developer blog post, the team confirmed that the game will be built on Unreal Engine 5, which will allow for “significant improvements in performance, visuals, and gameplay systems.” They have also promised to overhaul the tutorial system for new players, expand existing roles with new abilities, and introduce new ones, such as mortar squads. This is a game that is designed to be a complete experience from the ground up, and the developers have been clear that they are committed to supporting both the original game and this new title simultaneously. This is a crucial point for fans who might worry that the original game will be abandoned. The developers have stated that they have a second team working on the new title, ensuring that “one game will never come at the expense of the other.” The game’s announcement at Gamescom was a powerful statement that the franchise is not just alive but is growing and evolving in exciting new ways. For fans of hardcore, tactical shooters, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is poised to be an unmissable experience, a game that takes everything we loved about the original and transports it to a new, and even more brutal, theater of war.