Tactical shooter fans, assemble! Team17 and Expression Games have just dropped a huge update for their highly anticipated tactical FPS, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.

Not only have they released Part 1 of a deep-dive developer Q&A series titled “The Command Post” (available right now in both vlog and blog formats), but they’ve also kicked off a brand-new open crossplay playtest running all weekend long!

If you’re eager to see how the frontline is shaping up or ready to test your squad’s communication in the brutal jungles of Vietnam, here is everything you need to know.

The Command Post: Dev Q&A Part 1 Is Live!

In the first instalment of this two-part series, lead developers from Expression Games—including Game Director Paul ‘Rushy’ Rustchynsky, Studio Technical Director Keiran D’Archambaud, Senior Art Director Ryan Howard, and Development Director Sam Warren—lift the hood on the development of Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.

Part 1 focuses on crucial community topics, including:

• Game Performance & Console Polish: Significant performance optimisation across PC and consoles, enhanced audio directionality, improved weapon audio/VFX, and details on upcoming Unreal Engine upgrades.
• Faction Balancing: Crucial tweaks to NVA tunnelling mechanics, TTK (Time to Kill), and guerrilla warfare tactics versus US aerial units and firepower.
• Map Design Philosophy: A look into how authentic Vietnamese landscapes and tactical zones are constructed.

You can watch the full Q&A vlog on YouTube or read the comprehensive transcript over on the official Hell Let Loose blog.

Jump into the Action: Open Crossplay Playtest This Weekend

If watching the devs isn’t enough, you can get hands-on experience starting right now! Team17 and Expression Games are hosting the first open cross-platform playtest, uniting players on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Playtest Schedule

• Start: Friday, July 24, at 2:00 PM BST / 6:00 AM PDT
• End: Monday, July 27, at 2:00 PM BST / 6:00 AM PDT

New Map Preview: ??k Tô Airfield

This weekend’s test introduces players to the ??k Tô Airfield, set during the historic November 1967 military offensive in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Unlike dense jungle maps, ??k Tô features an open, artillery-scarred airstrip surrounded by fortified positions, villages, and open terrain, demanding tight squad coordination, long-range armoured combat, and aggressive tactical movement.

How to Join the Playtest

Joining the battle is quick and easy across all platforms:

• PC (Steam): Head over to the Hell Let Loose: Vietnam store page on Steam, click “Request Access” under the playtest module, download the playtest client, and jump straight in!
• PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S: Search for “Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Playtest” directly on the PlayStation Store or Xbox Games Store, download the standalone application, and boot up. (Note: An active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription is required to play online).

Ready Your Squad!

Whether you’re catching up on the latest developer insights in The Command Post or jumping into firefights at ??k Tô Airfield with crossplay friends, this weekend promises non-stop action.

Have you tried out the playtest yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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