Can a 50v50 shooter capture the claustrophobic heat, sudden ambushes and muddy logistics of the Vietnam War? Expression Games and publisher Team17 are betting yes — they’ve released the first in‑engine gameplay trailer for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, and it leans hard into scale, terrain and tactics.
The footage throws you straight into sprawling matches where two 50-player sides clash across six new maps that Expression describes as “dense jungle, twisting deltas and open clearings.” It’s the same slow-burn, team-first design the series earned its reputation with in the World War II original, but now the map geometry and tools skew toward asymmetric tactics: tunnels for stealthy North Vietnamese movement, rivers and coastlines that invite small-boat skirmishes, and helicopters that change how battles flow.
What the trailer shows
The most immediate takeaway is scale. Squads push through thick foliage while artillery and aerial fire support punch through the canopy. Helicopters play multiple roles — troop insertions, reconnaissance, and rotor-powered fire support — which could make landing zones hotly contested objectives. On the water, Expression sprinkles a touch of naval combat: the US patrol boat (the PBR) and similar craft show up as mobile fire platforms and transport.
Tunnels are also a featured mechanic. The trailer hints at tunnel networks that the North Vietnamese side can use to relocate, stage ambushes or bypass choke points. That structural contrast — open waterways, claustrophobic jungle and subterranean routes — promises varied pacing from engagement to engagement.
Weapons, uniforms and environmental details in the trailer lean toward historical authenticity. The team clearly wants the setting to feel period-accurate without turning the game into a dry simulation; the visuals and sound design aim to sell immersion first, textbook accuracy second. And yes, the reveal trailer gleefully avoids playing Creedence on loop.
Release plan and development posture
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is slated for 2026 on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5, but Expression and Team17 haven’t given a day-and-month yet. The publisher’s been clear that the trailer is real in‑engine gameplay, which usually suggests a build that’s not purely cinematic. Notably, there’s no mention so far of an early access window like the original Hell Let Loose used — developers appear to be preparing a full launch candidate rather than a long early access run.
If you’re a console player keeping an eye on next‑gen FPS releases, this one’s joining a crowded, trailer-heavy moment for big shooters — momentum similar to what we’ve seen for other major game reveals recently, such as Metroid Prime 4’s preview trailer. Meanwhile, platform positioning and subscription strategies are shifting across the genre; big franchises are still finding new ways to reach players, whether through Game Pass or other launch tactics (see how major shooters are moving on subscription services) [/news/xbox-game-pass-november-2025-wave-1].
If you’re planning to play on console when it lands, note that Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is confirmed for current-gen hardware — including PS5 — and would naturally fit with next‑gen control schemes and performance modes. For readers still deciding on hardware, the PS5 Pro is one option that targets enhanced console performance and visuals; you can check the PS5 Pro availability if you want to compare setups.
Why this matters (for fans and skeptics)
Expression’s original Hell Let Loose carved out a niche by making large-scale, methodical battles feel meaningful: squads hold sectors, commanders manage logistics, and individual actions ripple across the front. Transplanting that design into Vietnam changes the tactical vocabulary — concealment, verticality with helicopters, and tunnel movement matter more here — which could pull in players who liked the original’s systems but want fresher, asymmetric engagements.
There are risks. The Vietnam setting demands a delicate balance between respectful representation and compelling gameplay; multiplayer shooters can sometimes oversimplify complex historical contexts. From a gameplay perspective, maintaining balance between air power, boats, tunnels and infantry will be crucial; helicopters in particular can tip maps toward whichever team can control the sky.
For now, the trailer offers a promising glimpse: in‑engine visuals, clear design intent, and enough mechanical variety to suggest Hell Let Loose: Vietnam won’t be a reskin. Expect more specifics — maps, modes, and a release date — as Expression and Team17 roll out additional previews next year.