Hell Let Loose is a big WWII shooter that one person plays like an RTS.
Hell Let Loose appears generic at first, but it’s actually a World War II shooter that features tanks, guns and explosions. It’s easy to forget that you’ve probably seen the same scene a hundred times before. Black Matter, the developer, expertly combines the genre needle between Looney Tune’s multiplayer chaos with hardcore military sim precision to create one of the most popular online shooters.
Hell Let Loose has a simple yet clever premise. The battle is 50 vs fifty, and the map is divided into sections. The players win by taking control of the sections and outmanoeuvring their enemy. There are many traditional classes like Scout, Medic Engineer, Officer, Tank Commander and Engineer that can help their allies in various ways. An infantry tank can defend itself, while a sniper can take out enemies far away to capture an objective.
The catch is that you are not really working with the majority of the 49 other players on the team. You’re part of a small team with a leader. The Squad leader talks to other squad leaders and the Commander. He has a large-picture view. Depending on how you look at it, you could be a soldier holding down a supply depot, or a commander tasked to win the entire battle.
This is a refreshing system in some ways. The squad system and proximity-based chat make it easy to play with friends without dealing with 48 strangers. Sometimes it can be frustrating. The Commander and Squad Leader are responsible for a lot of the game’s success. It’s up to them whether they’re patient or if they want to lecture. The community is what makes this game great. Reviews and streams suggest that Hell let Loose players have met the game on their terms and are trying to work together. It’s wonderful to be part of a team with skilled leaders who communicate well. Hell, Let Loose can get a bit aimless if you aren’t.
Hell, Let Loose seems like it’s about to explode. It left early access in June, and it’s racked up over 30,000 reviews and stands at “Very Positive” on Steam. Although it’s slow-paced and challenging, the game is surprisingly easy to play and retains its great feeling long after the novelty of large battles and RTS elements wears off.
