Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Launches Today
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches on 13 August 2026, bringing the tactical first-person shooter franchise into the Vietnam War. Developed by Expression Games and published by Team17, the standalone game is available on PC and current-generation consoles, with the Steam version supporting cross-platform multiplayer.
The new game retains the franchise’s emphasis on large-scale battles, communication and squad coordination but changes the battlefield considerably. Players can fight across six large-scale maps inspired by real-world locations, with the North Vietnamese Army and US Armed Forces facing off in 50-player teams.
For South African gamers, Steam pricing data lists the standard PC edition at R375.99, with a launch discount bringing it to R338.39 in the latest available listing. On PlayStation’s South African store, the PS5 edition is listed at R749.00. Pricing can change, so these figures should be treated as the prices displayed at the time of reporting rather than a permanent recommended retail price.
A new battlefield for Hell Let Loose
The Vietnam setting gives Expression Games considerably more to work with than simply replacing World War II weapons and uniforms.
The game introduces jungle environments, river networks, helicopters and underground tunnel systems. US forces can use helicopters for fire support and supply operations, while NVA players can construct tunnel networks that provide opportunities for surprise attacks and movement through the battlefield. Both factions can also use armed patrol boats on the game’s waterways.
Movement has also been expanded. Players can swim, climb and fast-crawl, while wounded squad members can be dragged away from active fire before being healed and returned to combat.
These mechanics are important because they make the Vietnam setting more than a visual change. The combination of dense jungle, waterways, underground routes and aerial mobility changes how players approach objectives and coordinate with their squads.
50v50 warfare remains at the centre
At its core, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam remains a large-scale multiplayer shooter rather than a traditional single-player military campaign.
Players are divided into teams of up to 50, with multiple specialised roles covering command, infantry, reconnaissance, armour, helicopters and mortar squads. The Steam listing currently identifies 17 specialised roles, although the official game website currently describes 19 roles, indicating that the game’s role count has changed during development.
The game includes Warfare and Offensive modes alongside additional modes. Warfare puts two 50-player teams against each other in a fight over five sectors, while Offensive gives one side an attacking role and the other the task of defending.
The design continues the franchise’s rejection of the typical run-and-gun approach to multiplayer shooters. Communication and following the chain of command are fundamental to taking and holding objectives.
Helicopters, boats and tunnels change the tactical equation
The most obvious addition for existing Hell Let Loose players is aerial combat.
US helicopter units can provide fire support and supply drops, adding an entirely new dimension to battlefield logistics. Meanwhile, patrol boats allow both sides to contest river networks rather than treating waterways as simple environmental obstacles.
The NVA’s tunnel-building system offers an equally significant tactical option. Instead of relying solely on conventional spawn and movement routes, players can establish tunnel networks and use them to support surprise attacks.
That combination should make positioning considerably less predictable than in the franchise’s World War II environments.
The game was delayed to improve launch quality
Today’s release follows a delay announced in June.
Team17 and Expression Games originally announced a 18 June 2026 launch. After the game’s open beta, which attracted more than 350,000 players, the developers announced on 2 June that the release would move to 13 August.
The developers said the additional development time would be used to improve performance, stability and overall gameplay quality, following feedback from the open beta and internal testing.
That history is worth noting for prospective buyers. The August launch is not the game’s originally announced release date; it is the revised date following additional development and testing.
PC requirements are worth checking before buying
The PC version is not particularly lightweight.
According to the current Steam listing, the minimum configuration calls for Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-10600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, 16GB RAM and an Nvidia RTX 2060 Super or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT. The recommended configuration moves to Windows 11, an Intel Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and an RTX 3060 Ti or Radeon RX 6900 XT, while retaining 16GB RAM. The game requires 30GB of available storage.
The minimum specification targets 1080p/60fps using TSR at 71% or DLSS Ultra Performance, while the recommended configuration targets 1080p/60fps with TSR at 100% High or DLSS Balanced.
For South African PC players, that makes checking the graphics card particularly important before purchasing. The minimum requirement is already in RTX 2060 Super/RX 6600 XT territory, rather than the kind of hardware typically found in an entry-level gaming PC.
South African price and availability
The PC version has a South African Steam price. SteamDB’s latest pricing data records the standard edition at R375.99, with a 10% promotional price of R338.39.
The PS5 version is listed separately on the South African PlayStation Store at R749.00.
The difference illustrates why South African players should check the platform they intend to use before purchasing. The PC and console versions do not necessarily carry the same local price.
The game also supports cross-platform multiplayer across PC and consoles, according to the official game information.
What South African gamers should know
There are three practical considerations before jumping into Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.
First, this is an online-only experience. The official FAQ confirms that the game requires an active internet connection and does not include a single-player campaign.
Second, the game supports cross-play between PC and consoles. That can be particularly useful for players whose friends are spread across different platforms.
Third, the PC version uses Easy Anti-Cheat, and Steam identifies it as kernel-level anti-cheat. Steam also notes that Easy Anti-Cheat requires manual removal after uninstalling the game.
For players with metered or expensive internet connections, the game’s online-only design is also worth considering. Broadband is listed as a requirement, although the developer has not published a specific ongoing bandwidth requirement in the information reviewed for this article.
A new chapter rather than a replacement for Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is a standalone entry rather than an expansion of the existing World War II game.
The developer’s FAQ explains that creating a new title allowed the team to overhaul core systems and move the new game to Unreal Engine 5, alongside changes to gameplay systems, visuals and audio.
That distinction matters to existing players. The Vietnam game is intended to expand the franchise rather than replace the original Hell Let Loose. The developers have previously stated that the original game would continue to receive support.
The result is effectively a new branch of the franchise built around a conflict that naturally supports different gameplay systems.
Should South African gamers buy Hell Let Loose: Vietnam?
For players who enjoy methodical, team-based military shooters, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam has a substantially different proposition from an arcade-focused FPS.
The combination of 50v50 battles, helicopters, tunnel networks, patrol boats and dense jungle environments gives the Vietnam setting a distinct tactical identity. However, prospective buyers should understand that this is fundamentally an online multiplayer game that expects players to communicate and cooperate rather than play as lone soldiers.
The more immediate question for PC players is hardware. The minimum GPU requirement is relatively demanding, and the recommended specification is aimed at modern gaming PCs. Players should check their system against the current Steam requirements before buying.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam launches on 13 August 2026, giving the franchise its first major move away from its World War II setting and into one of the most recognisable conflicts of the 20th century.
