Hell Let Loose

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 52,866 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Hell Let Loose Game Cover
Hell Let Loose is a fun and accessible introduction to milsims, but I miss the complexity.
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"Hell Let Loose" is a tactical multiplayer first-person shooter set in the European theatre of World War II. Players join a 50-player team in intense battles over large maps, with coordination and strategy being key to success. The game features a realistic damage model, vehicle combat, and a dynamic front line that shifts based on the outcome of fights.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 52,866 reviews
gameplay1,546 positive mentions
optimization528 negative mentions
  • gameplay4,216 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hell Let Loose" is characterized by its emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and realism, offering a unique blend of tactical shooter mechanics and immersive WWII combat. While many players appreciate the depth and intensity of the gameplay, newcomers may find the steep learning curve and lack of tutorials challenging. Overall, the game is praised for its graphics, sound design, and community engagement, though it faces criticism for bugs, performance issues, and some clunky mechanics that can detract from the experience.

    • “Extremely immersive, fun gameplay with a unique take on the objective shooter genre.”
    • “The gameplay is grounded in teamwork and strategy, eschewing the more frenetic and individualistic approach of other shooters.”
    • “The large-scale battles, realistic weapon mechanics, and emphasis on teamwork create a unique and engaging gameplay experience.”
    • “Really boring and poor gameplay and game mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay got old and repetitive and now it looks just like another arcade style military FPS.”
    • “The gameplay is unforgiving and demands a high level of skill and strategy.”
  • graphics2,622 mentions

    The graphics of "Hell Let Loose" receive mixed reviews from players, with many praising the stunning visuals and immersive environments that effectively capture the gritty realism of World War II. However, some users report significant performance issues, including low frame rates and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. While the game showcases impressive detail and atmospheric effects, optimization remains a concern, leading to a disparity in player experiences based on hardware capabilities.

    • “The graphics are detailed and the environments are meticulously crafted, from the muddy trenches of Normandy to the bombed-out ruins of Stalingrad.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments that capture the grim atmosphere of the battlefield.”
    • “The graphics and sound design work together to create an immersive and harrowing experience.”
    • “The graphics fidelity is pretty bad even at max settings; it's like going to war but you forgot your glasses.”
    • “I was getting 30-40 fps on graphics that looked worse than 10-15 year old games.”
    • “Graphics suck complete a$$ even on max settings.”
  • optimization1,693 mentions

    The optimization of "Hell Let Loose" has received significant criticism from players, with many reporting persistent performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and lag, even on high-end systems. While some users note improvements in optimization over time, the game still struggles with inconsistent performance across various maps, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, the consensus is that while the game has potential, it requires substantial optimization work to enhance playability and enjoyment.

    • “While not as optimized as some would want, 90% of the time this game works fine.”
    • “The maps are both diverse and really well designed, the gunplay is very satisfying, and the performance/optimization is actually pretty solid for the visuals and scale of the game (50v50 matches on medium-large maps).”
    • “Great game, just needs to be massively optimized for PC.”
    • “The biggest bummer is the stutter and performance issues with the game.”
    • “Honestly, it's basically unplayable for me even after I turned down all of my graphics settings, switched to DX12, etc. It used to run completely fine for me and was one of the best games I'd ever played immersion-wise, but now it's just a shadow of its former self unfortunately due to the performance issues and lack of devs listening to the community like they used to.”
    • “The optimization is trash; I'm basically watching a slideshow. If this could be fixed, the game would be fun.”
  • stability496 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players have experienced server freezes, crashes, and frustrating gameplay interruptions, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and often unplayable. While some acknowledge that the core gameplay is enjoyable, the overwhelming presence of technical problems has left a negative impression on the community.

    • “It has gotten better with updates and now is stable and relatively bug free.”
    • “Game is out of early access, runs great now, nonstop action in the most interesting war time period, faster than Squad.”
    • “The game runs great, characters are not clunky, movement is fluid (some little issues) but overall for an early release the devs have done a great job!”
    • “I have not been able to play the game for months due to constant server freezes every single game I join.”
    • “Whether it be the game crashing for no reason and resetting all of the files (skins, class setups, video and audio settings) to just some random bug that gets you killed, this game could be a great game but the bugs and glitches just leave you with frustration.”
    • “The game is currently unplayable in the literal sense for me. I'm met with a network error as soon as the game starts and I've tried troubleshooting for like 2 hours now and nothing has worked.”
  • atmosphere419 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Hell Let Loose" is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of World War II, characterized by stunning graphics, realistic sound design, and intense gameplay that captures the chaos of battle. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and the dynamic elements, such as weather effects and large-scale battles, which enhance the overall experience. While some reviews mention occasional gameplay shortcomings, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's atmosphere is unmatched, making it a standout title in the military shooter genre.

    • “The thunderous roar of tanks, the distant echoes of gunfire, and the piercing whistle of artillery shells overhead create an atmosphere that is both realistic and hauntingly beautiful.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environments, weapons, and character models is impressive, immersing players in the gritty and chaotic atmosphere of the war-torn battlegrounds.”
    • “Hell let loose is probably the most intense, atmospheric and realistic WWII shooter out there.”
    • “Despite a decent take on the WWII atmosphere, the gameplay leaves much to be desired.”
    • “The atmosphere and sound feel very lacking and dead.”
    • “While the environments attempt to capture the atmosphere of war-torn landscapes, they fall short in terms of visual fidelity and detail.”
  • story312 mentions

    The game's narrative is largely absent, with players emphasizing that it focuses more on multiplayer gameplay and team-based missions rather than a traditional story. While some reviews mention interesting historical elements and personal experiences that create a unique "story" for each match, the consensus is that there is no structured campaign or significant narrative to follow. Instead, players create their own stories through gameplay interactions and missions, highlighting the importance of teamwork and communication.

    • “The narrative, though not as prominent as in traditional story-driven games, is very interesting through its historical accuracy and war setting.”
    • “You will get many different experiences, adventures, and plot twists in this game with a lot of laughs to go along with it.”
    • “Every match feels like a unique and captivating story waiting to unfold.”
    • “Game used to be good but not between connection issues and the known hackers the devs choose to ignore it and push out half-cocked content. They should hang up their hats and go be busboys. Kind of hard to mess that one up; then again, with them, I could see them messing that up too. Moral of the story: the game has become garbage, not worth the money, time, or effort.”
    • “You aren't going to play this for any story; you don't even have to play it for the interaction with others either. Sometimes I get on just to shoot around for an hour and a half.”
    • “This is a community-based game; there is no story, no real progression other than getting a few different loadouts with certain roles.”
  • humor294 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the hilarious moments that arise from proximity chat and unexpected in-game events. Many reviews mention the comedic interactions among players, such as exaggerated reactions to deaths and absurd role-playing scenarios, which contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the community's lightheartedness and the game's chaotic nature create a blend of humor and camaraderie that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “It's a blend of high-stakes teamwork and a grim sense of humor.”
    • “Super fun and entertaining, you get to have some pretty funny interactions and have fun whilst also fighting for victory.”
    • “The proximity chat has provided some of the most funny and entertaining moments I've had in a long time.”
    • “This is just an unfunny mess.”
  • grinding224 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players noting that progression becomes excessively tedious after level 5, often requiring significant time investment to unlock new classes and equipment. While some find the grind rewarding over time, the overall sentiment suggests that the experience can feel monotonous and frustrating, especially for those who prefer faster-paced gameplay. Players recommend being prepared for a substantial commitment if they wish to progress meaningfully in the game.

    • “Leveling up the classes is not too grindy; cosmetics are cool but to a COD player may come across as underwhelming or simple, but they are very good for the game keeping to a more historic mil-sim style.”
    • “Not tediously slow like Arma and not as unrealistically fast as BF or COD.”
    • “Progression is good and not too grindy.”
    • “The class leveling system is pointless and too grindy.”
    • “This game is extremely grindy, and punishes you hard for leaving.”
    • “Unlocking some of the loadouts can be tedious.”
  • music168 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the nostalgic and immersive quality of the soundtrack, particularly the iconic German victory song "Erika" and other WWII-era marches. While some players enjoy the catchy tunes and the atmosphere they create, others express frustration over the limited number of tracks and the removal of previous music options. Overall, the music enhances the game's immersive experience, though players desire more variety in the soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack, though subtle, complements the on-screen action, heightening the emotional impact of intense moments.”
    • “The music and sound design in this game bring a perfect WWII feel, and the explosions, gunfire, and everything else feel super immersive.”
    • “Nothing feels better than winning a game as the Axis powers and then hearing the 'Erika' victory music!”
    • “Those damn jerrys play their shitty music when they win the game, I f***ing hate this game.”
    • “Removed the previous backdrop for seemingly no reason and replaced the rotating list of the countries' victory songs that played in the main menu with only one generic and poorly looped song.”
    • “My only criticism is they could add some more music to the game as the three pieces of endgame anthems get a little repetitive (though they are catchy).”
  • monetization119 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players perceiving it as a cash grab, particularly since Team17 took over. While some reviews note the absence of mandatory microtransactions, others highlight the introduction of optional cosmetic purchases that can provide tactical advantages, leading to concerns about fairness and gameplay integrity. Overall, the sentiment reflects a growing frustration with the game's shift towards monetization at the expense of quality and player experience.

    • “There are no microtransactions, keeping the gameplay experience pure and focused.”
    • “Some microtransactions, but they are optional and cosmetic only.”
    • “Most importantly, fair and consumer-friendly monetization.”
    • “The latest developments seem like a cash grab, meanwhile basic problems still haunt the game.”
    • “I'm not against developers making money, far from it, but from the very start, Team17 has diligently worked to ruin everything that made this game special, while providing low-quality, low-effort content in a blatant cash grab.”
    • “It seems like the new studio is going for a cash grab and is going to suck the life out of the game and leave it for dead.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse roles, evolving tactics, and large, varied maps, ensuring that each session offers a unique experience. Players appreciate the depth of gameplay, with different classes and objectives contributing to endless tactical possibilities. While some users note that it shares similarities with other titles, the overall consensus is that the game provides significant replay value, especially when played with a coordinated team.

    • “The game is very replayable with the different roles, play styles, maintaining supply lines, spawn points, and fortifications; every game can be a different experience.”
    • “There is tremendous replay value here; once you think you have an idea of how infantry works, you play armor and realize there is a whole new dimension.”
    • “The maps, roles, and classes have enough diversity that you never get bored, making the replayability very high.”
    • “This is a $20 - $30 game with low replay value.”
    • “It's fun, tanks are fun, audio is good, but it is just like every other game. Squad, Post Scriptum, Insurgency Sandstorm, Ground Branch, Ready or Not, Tarkov, etc. are all games I would buy and play with better replay value before buying this game.”
    • “The enjoyment still lies in the intense battles when fought alongside other squad members who communicate, but I'm at the point where I would be happy for a change of scenery/new maps (which are playable).”
  • emotional69 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by intense immersion and a rollercoaster of feelings, from adrenaline-pumping dread to moments of camaraderie and community support. Players report a profound emotional investment, often feeling like they are part of a cinematic experience, with the potential for both heart-wrenching losses and uplifting teamwork. Despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the overall sentiment highlights a strong sense of connection among players, making it a memorable and emotionally charged experience.

    • “This game isn't just about fighting; it's an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “Hell Let Loose is an absolutely breathtaking and emotionally charged game that immerses players in the brutal reality of WWII warfare.”
    • “Countless times this game made me feel fully immersed, making me relive the battles of forgotten heroes.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is noted as challenging, with suggestions for automatic rewards based on progress at certain levels. While character design and weapon aesthetics are praised, there are criticisms regarding the sound effects, which can detract from the overall battlefield experience.

    • “Character development is challenging, but uniform additions could be automatically awarded for progress upon reaching certain levels.”
    • “The character design and weapons look and feel great, although the sounds from the rifles can be a bit crackly, and at times the battlefield can feel very quiet.”
    • “Character development is difficult, but uniform additions could be automatically awarded for progress upon reaching certain levels.”
    • “As for character design and weapons, everything looks and feels great; however, the sounds from the rifles can be a bit crackly, and at times, the battlefield can feel very quiet.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy Hell Let Loose

Play time

35hMedian play time
199hAverage play time
8-183hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 290 analyzed playthroughs

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