"Hell Let Loose" is an ambitious World War II shooter that dares to deviate from mainstream arcade-style gameplay. With its large-scale battles, reliance on teamwork, and realistic mechanics, it promises an immersive experience for tactical shooter enthusiasts. However, as with many games that stray from the mainstream, "Hell Let Loose" struggles with execution, leaving it a rough diamond rather than the polished gem it could be.

Visually, "Hell Let Loose" shines—at least on paper. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, and the lighting and textures, when maxed out, create a cinematic portrayal of war. Unfortunately, this beauty comes with a catch: playing on max settings makes it nearly impossible to spot enemies. In a game where situational awareness is key, this essentially punishes players who want to enjoy the game’s graphical fidelity. Turning graphics down to low becomes a necessity, but at the cost of immersion.

At its heart, "Hell Let Loose" revolves around squad-based tactics, with a heavy emphasis on leadership. Squad Leaders and Commanders are the backbone of the game, responsible for planning and coordination. However, the tools provided for them are woefully inadequate. The map lacks critical features such as height markers, drawing tools, or the ability to add simple arrows for coordination. This oversight severely hampers the strategic potential of the game.

Weapon mechanics, too, are problematic. While realism is a selling point, the weapons are almost too precise. Submachine guns hit targets hundreds of meters away with pinpoint accuracy, and rifles might as well be sniper rifles. This, combined with the fact that foliage and bushes often don’t render for players with low settings, creates frustrating scenarios where players are unfairly exposed.

Adding insult to injury, the inclusion of aim assist is, in my opinion, a nail in the coffin for any competitive shooter. It exacerbates the issues with accuracy and strips the game of the skill-based satisfaction it aims to provide.

Cheaters and exploits plague "Hell Let Loose", and the lack of effective countermeasures hurts the integrity of matches. A particularly egregious issue is players joining the opposing team to sabotage via Discord streams or intentionally grief artillery positions. These exploits sour the experience for anyone seeking genuine, competitive play.

Vehicle mechanics are, simply put, abysmal. Driving feels clunky and unresponsive, and the physics are laughable. Vehicles get stuck on seemingly trivial objects, such as tools or small debris, while inexplicably phasing through trees and walls. This inconsistency is not only immersion-breaking but also a major source of frustration.

While "Hell Let Loose" has significant flaws, it’s not beyond redemption. Here are some key features that could elevate the game:

Introduce drawing tools, arrows, and height markers on the map to empower Squad Leaders and Commanders to effectively communicate strategies.

Implement mechanics that debuff players who stray too far from their Squad Leader, such as reduced accuracy or stamina. This would encourage teamwork and punish lone wolves.

Reduce weapon accuracy, especially at long distances, and make stances (standing, crouching, prone) significantly affect aim.

Make terrain and weather conditions impact movement and vehicles. For example, snow should slow infantry, and off-road driving should be more difficult.

Rework vehicle physics to make driving smoother and more realistic. Vehicles should interact with the environment in a consistent and believable way.

Allow servers to enforce minimum detail settings, ensuring a level playing field while preserving the game’s visual appeal.

Enable heavy machine guns to penetrate walls and light buildings, adding to their strategic value and realism.

Allow all players to revive downed teammates but reserve full revives for medics, emphasizing their importance.

The recent decision to make "Hell Let Loose" free on the Epic Games Store has flooded servers with new players. On the one hand, it’s great to see full lobbies; on the other, the influx of inexperienced players—and the occasional 7-year-old with an open mic—has made matches chaotic. For a game so reliant on communication and teamwork, this is both a blessing and a curse.

"Hell Let Loose" is a game brimming with potential but marred by poor design choices and technical shortcomings. For players who can overlook its flaws, it offers a uniquely immersive experience. However, for many, the frustrations outweigh the rewards. With better tools for leadership, more realistic mechanics, and a crackdown on cheaters and exploits, this game could truly shine. Until then, "Hell Let Loose" remains a rough and often frustrating experience—a war worth fighting, but not without hesitation.

"Hell Let Loose" is an ambitious World War II shooter that dares to deviate from mainstream arcade-style gameplay. With its large-scale battles, reliance on teamwork, and realistic mechanics, it promises an immersive experience for tactical shooter enthusiasts. However, as with many games that stray from the mainstream, "Hell Let Loose" struggles with execution, leaving it a rough diamond rather than the polished gem it could be. Visually, "Hell Let Loose" shines—at least on paper. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, and the lighting and textures, when maxed out, create a cinematic portrayal of war. Unfortunately, this beauty comes with a catch: playing on max settings makes it nearly impossible to spot enemies. In a game where situational awareness is key, this essentially punishes players who want to enjoy the game’s graphical fidelity. Turning graphics down to low becomes a necessity, but at the cost of immersion. At its heart, "Hell Let Loose" revolves around squad-based tactics, with a heavy emphasis on leadership. Squad Leaders and Commanders are the backbone of the game, responsible for planning and coordination. However, the tools provided for them are woefully inadequate. The map lacks critical features such as height markers, drawing tools, or the ability to add simple arrows for coordination. This oversight severely hampers the strategic potential of the game. Weapon mechanics, too, are problematic. While realism is a selling point, the weapons are almost too precise. Submachine guns hit targets hundreds of meters away with pinpoint accuracy, and rifles might as well be sniper rifles. This, combined with the fact that foliage and bushes often don’t render for players with low settings, creates frustrating scenarios where players are unfairly exposed. Adding insult to injury, the inclusion of aim assist is, in my opinion, a nail in the coffin for any competitive shooter. It exacerbates the issues with accuracy and strips the game of the skill-based satisfaction it aims to provide. Cheaters and exploits plague "Hell Let Loose", and the lack of effective countermeasures hurts the integrity of matches. A particularly egregious issue is players joining the opposing team to sabotage via Discord streams or intentionally grief artillery positions. These exploits sour the experience for anyone seeking genuine, competitive play. Vehicle mechanics are, simply put, abysmal. Driving feels clunky and unresponsive, and the physics are laughable. Vehicles get stuck on seemingly trivial objects, such as tools or small debris, while inexplicably phasing through trees and walls. This inconsistency is not only immersion-breaking but also a major source of frustration. While "Hell Let Loose" has significant flaws, it’s not beyond redemption. Here are some key features that could elevate the game: Introduce drawing tools, arrows, and height markers on the map to empower Squad Leaders and Commanders to effectively communicate strategies. Implement mechanics that debuff players who stray too far from their Squad Leader, such as reduced accuracy or stamina. This would encourage teamwork and punish lone wolves. Reduce weapon accuracy, especially at long distances, and make stances (standing, crouching, prone) significantly affect aim. Make terrain and weather conditions impact movement and vehicles. For example, snow should slow infantry, and off-road driving should be more difficult. Rework vehicle physics to make driving smoother and more realistic. Vehicles should interact with the environment in a consistent and believable way. Allow servers to enforce minimum detail settings, ensuring a level playing field while preserving the game’s visual appeal. Enable heavy machine guns to penetrate walls and light buildings, adding to their strategic value and realism. Allow all players to revive downed teammates but reserve full revives for medics, emphasizing their importance. The recent decision to make "Hell Let Loose" free on the Epic Games Store has flooded servers with new players. On the one hand, it’s great to see full lobbies; on the other, the influx of inexperienced players—and the occasional 7-year-old with an open mic—has made matches chaotic. For a game so reliant on communication and teamwork, this is both a blessing and a curse. "Hell Let Loose" is a game brimming with potential but marred by poor design choices and technical shortcomings. For players who can overlook its flaws, it offers a uniquely immersive experience. However, for many, the frustrations outweigh the rewards. With better tools for leadership, more realistic mechanics, and a crackdown on cheaters and exploits, this game could truly shine. Until then, "Hell Let Loose" remains a rough and often frustrating experience—a war worth fighting, but not without hesitation.