View source for Software:Hell Let Loose

{{Short description|2021 first-person shooter video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Hell Let Loose
| image = Hell Let Loose cover art.jpg
| developer = Expression Games (2023–present)<br />Cover 6 Studios (2023–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/team17-opens-cover-6-studios-to-co-develop-hell-let-loose|title=Team17 opens Cover 6 Studios to co-develop Hell Let Loose
 |date=June 12, 2023|website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref> <br />Black Matter (2018–2023)<ref name="rps-2018-11-28" />
| publisher = [[Company:Team17|Team17]]<ref name="rps-2018-11-28" />
| director = Maximilian Rea<ref name="hellletloose-presskit">{{cite web |title=PRESS KIT |url=https://www.hellletloose.com/presskit |date=2019-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029231727/https://www.hellletloose.com/presskit |archive-date=2019-10-29 |publisher=Hell Let Loose |work=Presskit}}</ref>
| programmer = Roman Kramar, James Baxter<ref name="hellletloose-presskit" />
| artist = Rick Echler, Mikhail Fomenko, Stanislav Ostrikov, Olga Tishchenko, Stefan Engdahl, Danny Ivan Flu, Danyal Davies, Tom Harle<ref name="hellletloose-presskit" />
| engine = Unreal Engine 4<ref name="eurogamer-20181128" />
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]]|[[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]}}
| released = '''Microsoft Windows'''{{Vgrelease|WW|July 27, 2021}}'''PS5''', '''Xbox Series X/S'''{{Vgrelease|WW|October 5, 2021}}
| genre = [[Software:Tactical shooter|Tactical shooter]], [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Software:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Hell Let Loose''''' is a 2019 [[Software:Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[Software:Tactical shooter|tactical]] [[Software:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]] [[Engineering:Video game|video game]]<ref name="tigw-20190611">{{cite web |title=Hell Let Loose Preview (Early Access) |url=https://www.indiegamewebsite.com/2019/06/11/hell-let-loose-early-access-review/ |date=2019-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029232210/https://www.indiegamewebsite.com/2019/06/11/hell-let-loose-early-access-review/ |archive-date=2019-10-29 |first=Mostafa |last=Hossam |work=The Indie Game Website}}</ref> developed by Expression Games and Cover 6 Studios and published by [[Company:Team17|Team17]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Team17 Launches Cover 6 Studios to Co-Develop Hell Let Loose |url=https://80.lv/articles/team17-launches-cover-6-studios-to-co-develop-hell-let-loose/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=80.lv |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Lucy |date=2023-04-12 |title=Team17 Partners with Expression Games for Hell Let Loose Co-Development |url=https://www.team17.com/team17-partners-with-expression-games-for-hell-let-loose-co-development/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Team17 Digital LTD – The Spirit Of Independent Games |language=en-GB}}</ref> Players fight in iconic battles of the Western, North African and Eastern Fronts of [[Social:World War II|World War II]] at the platoon level.<ref name="Press Kit">{{Cite web |title=Press Kit |url=https://www.hellletloose.com/presskit |access-date=2021-05-11 |website=hell-let-loose |language=en}}</ref>

The game was originally created and developed by Australian studio Black Matter<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Matter |url=https://ca.linkedin.com/company/black-matter |accessdate=2019-11-02 |publisher=[[Company:LinkedIn|LinkedIn]]}}{{dead link|date=January 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> who first announced it via a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017,<ref name="rps-2018-11-28">{{cite news |title=Team 17 to publish 50 vs 50 WW2 shooter, Hell Let Loose |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/11/28/team-17-announce-hell-let-loose-ww2-fps |date=2018-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029230427/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/11/28/team-17-announce-hell-let-loose-ww2-fps/ |archive-date=2019-10-29 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |first=Dominic |last=Tarason}}</ref> where it had raised {{USD|220,000}}.<ref name="eurogamer-20181128">{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Phillips|date=2018-11-28|title=There's another WW2 shooter in development|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-11-28-theres-another-ww2-shooter-in-development|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029225424/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-11-28-theres-another-ww2-shooter-in-development|archive-date=2019-10-29|work=Eurogamer}}</ref> It was initially released for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]] as an [[Early access|early access]] title on 6 June 2019,<ref name="rps-2019-06-07">{{cite news |title=Hell Let Loose dives into the hundred-player trenches of early access |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |first=Dominic |last=Tarason |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/07/hundred-player-ww2-fps-hell-let-loose-enters-early-access/ |date=2019-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029225836/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/06/07/hundred-player-ww2-fps-hell-let-loose-enters-early-access/ |archive-date=2019-10-29}}</ref> and fully released in July 2021. It was later released for [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]] and [[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on 5 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-09-07-hardcore-ww2-shooter-hell-let-loose-hits-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-and-s-in-october|title=Hardcore WW2 shooter Hell Let Loose hits PS5 and Xbox Series X and S in October |date=September 7, 2021|website=Eurogamer|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, the ex-developers Black Matter sold the game to their publishers Team17,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grimshaw |first=Jack |date=2022-01-07 |title=Team17 acquires 'Hell Let Loose' IP for £46 million |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/gaming-news/team17-acquires-hell-let-loose-ip-for-46-million-3133311 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=NME |language=en-AU}}</ref> with the company founding Cover 6 Studios completely taking over development in the beginning of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-24 |title=Hell Let Loose dev leaves WW2 game for "next project", but don't panic |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/black-matter-leaving-team-17-ww2-game-steam |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==

Matches are 50 vs. 50 combined arms battles between two teams of either Germans, Americans,<ref name="steam-announcement_hll">{{cite web |title=This is Hell Let Loose! |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/686810/announcements/detail/1708450266986194367 |date=2018-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031123010/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://steamcommunity.com/games/686810/announcements/detail/1708450266986194367 |archive-date=2019-10-31 |work=Steam Community |author=Black Matter }}</ref> Soviets, British<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Ben |date=2023-05-26 |title=The British Forces have debuted in Hell Let Loose |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/the-british-forces-have-debuted-in-hell-let-loose-1270443/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Gamereactor UK |language=en}}</ref> or the German Afrika Korps and British 8th Army subfactions. Each faction consists of multiple smaller rifle squads of six soldiers, armoured squads of three tank crewmen, or recon squads of two soldiers.<ref name="tigw-20190611"/> As of November 2023, two game modes exist in the game: ''Warfare'' and ''Offensive''. In both modes, the map is divided into sectors that each team seeks to capture and control. In the ''Warfare'' mode, the game is won by either controlling all sectors, or by controlling a majority of them when the timer runs out. In the ''Offensive'' mode, a defending team is in control of all sectors at the beginning of the match, and the objective for the opposing side is then to capture all of them before the timer runs out.<ref name="dev-briefing_43">{{cite web |title=Developer Briefing #43 - Introducing the Offensive Gamemode! |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/686810/announcements/detail/1595888090488515470 |date=2019-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031120807/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://steamcommunity.com/games/686810/announcements/detail/1608275615635688860 |archive-date=2019-10-31 |work=Steam Community |author=Black Matter }}</ref>

Communication is intended as a central gameplay aspect by the developers.<ref name="team17-hll">{{cite web |title=Hell Let Loose |url=https://www.team17.com/games/hell-let-loose/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103231113/https://www.team17.com/games/hell-let-loose/ |archive-date=2019-11-03 |work=[[Company:Team17|Team17]] }}</ref> Each unit may be led by a single officer, who can communicate with other officers and the commander through a "leadership" voice channel. Similarly, there are unit-only, proximity and party voice channels as well. As an alternative to voice communication, there is also access to team-wide and unit level text chat which is only featured on the PC version of the game.

Hell Let Loose also features an RTS-inspired resource-based strategic meta-game.<ref name="Press Kit"/> Each of the two factions fighting will also be assigned a commander, and the commander is in charge of not only the team and squads, but vehicle deployments, air strikes, and supply drops, however these orders do cost resources. Resource nodes can be built using supplies by engineers to bolster resource production, which allows for the commander to deploy more tanks, air strikes and other orders to help the team fighting on the battlefield. These nodes can be taken down if found and dismantled by the enemy team as well.

== Development ==
Hell Let Loose is developed on Unreal Engine 4.<ref name="eurogamer-20181128" /> After about two years of initial development and testing following the launch of its Kickstarter campaign,<ref name="bgr-20190528">{{cite web |title=Driving a tank in 'Hell Let Loose' is the most fun I've ever had playing a first-person shooter |url=https://bgr.com/2019/05/28/hell-let-loose-beta-review-world-war-2-online-game-launches-soon/ |date=2019-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103215203/https://bgr.com/2019/05/28/hell-let-loose-beta-review-world-war-2-online-game-launches-soon/ |archive-date=2019-11-03 |work=Boy Genius Report (BGR) |first=Chris |last=Smith }}</ref> the game released on Steam as an early-access title on June 6, 2019 — the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings,<ref name="rps-2019-06-07"/> which was then followed by a full release in July 2021. The game was also released for [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]] and [[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on 5 October 2021. The last update for the game in 2022, Update 13, had apparently made the console version of the game up to parity with the PC version, according to the ex-developers, Black Matter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-06 |title=Hell Let Loose - Developer Briefing #173 - Update 13, Console Parity, Commonwealth Timeline - Steam News |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686810/view/3300600114581706437 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Map design ===
{{external media
| topic  = Map design
| float  =
| width  = 
| image1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20191030182337/https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/016/757/932/d06801cc469513bef7b6a0c30c21a9bc_original.gif?ixlib=rb-2.1.0&w=680&fit=max&v=1495335732&auto=format&gif-q=50&q=92&s=54916b0e6669f4160b16e20bebe331a9 A developer example illustrating map design based on street level images] of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Manche.<br/>Source: Kickstarter campaign.<ref name="kickstarter-description"/>
}}
The playable maps in the game are all based on historical WWII battles<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hell Let Loose: A tour of all iconic maps |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NzFgDn629U |website=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]}}</ref> by combining [[Astronomy:Satellite imagery|satellite imagery]], archival [[Earth:Aerial photography|aerial photography]] and street-level recreation.<ref name="kickstarter-description">{{cite web |title=Hell Let Loose |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackmatter/hell-let-loose/description |work=Kickstarter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030182208/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackmatter/hell-let-loose/description |archive-date=2019-10-30 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-18 |title=Hell Let Loose Maps Are To-Scale With Real Locations |url=https://screenrant.com/hell-let-loose-maps-real-locations-to-scale/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> The new developers have also recently stated that they are working on implementing historically accurate loadouts and vehicles for each map.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 79/100<ref name="mc-pc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hell-let-loose/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Hell Let Loose for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 11, 2021}}</ref><br/>(PS5) 73/100<ref name="mc-ps5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hell-let-loose/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Hell Let Loose for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 11, 2021}}</ref><br/>(XSX) 84/100<ref name="mc-xsx">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hell-let-loose/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Hell Let Loose for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=November 11, 2021}}</ref>
| PCGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ian |first1=Boudreau |title=Hell Let Loose review – battle hardened |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/review-10 |website=PCGamesN |date=18 October 2021 |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 70/100<ref>{{cite web |last1=Park |first1=Morgan |title=Hell Let Loose review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hell-let-loose-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=9 September 2021 |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| EGM = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Goroff |first1=Michael |title=Hell Let Loose (console version) review |url=https://egmnow.com/hell-let-loose-console-version-review-in-progress/ |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=5 October 2021 |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
}}
''Hell Let Loose'' received "generally favorable" reviews for Microsoft Windows and Xbox Series X and "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 5, according to review aggregator Metacritic. However, recent controversies surrounding the new developers of the game has now led to their [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] page being reflected as "mixed" due to the community's [[Social:Review bomb|review bomb]]ing campaign.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Hell Let Loose is being review bombed on Steam after glitchy trailer |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/steam-review-bomb |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref>

''PCGamesN'' has praised the use of teamwork in the game, writing that "A well-led assault on an enemy strongpoint involves covering the approach with a smokescreen... Taking part in such an assault is a uniquely exhilarating experience that’s like nothing else I’ve felt in a shooter."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boudreau |first=Ian |date=2021-07-27 |title=Hell Let Loose review – battle hardened |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/review-10 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> On the other hand, ''PC Gamer'', while enjoying the changes that made ''Hell Let Loose'' more lethal, still felt that the sound wasn't up to par, saying "My main nitpick is with sound... When everything is tuned correctly, a gun should be so loud that I can't hear my teammate over the radio. This is where Hell Let Loose kinda falls flat. No matter how much I mess with audio sliders, the game never gets loud enough for my liking."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=2021-09-09 |title=Hell Let Loose review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hell-let-loose-review/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=pcgamer |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2023, Team17 released a trailer for the game's next update, "Devotion to Duty".<ref>{{Citation |title=Hell Let Loose - Devotion to Duty Update Announcement {{!}} PC Gaming Show 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igMfYCqPQm0 |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en}}</ref> Upon the release of the trailer, it was met with poor reception by the community due to multiple graphical and animation glitches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title="Embarrassing" Hell Let Loose trailer has floating arms and A-posing |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/devotion-to-duty-trailer |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> The game became the subject of [[Social:Review bomb|review bomb]]ing on [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref name=":1" /> As a result of the criticism, Cover 6 Studios and Team17 issued a joint apology,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hell Let Loose devs "deeply apologize" after glitch-filled trailer |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/hell-let-loose/trailer-apology |website=PCGamesN|date=14 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Hell Let Loose - A Message to The Community - Steam News |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/686810/view/3660910367842970576 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> and announced plans to continue to improve the game on [[Company:Reddit|Reddit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wombat_Medic |date=2023-07-27 |title=Developer Briefing #192 - Answering Your Questions! |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/HellLetLoose/comments/15b7i02/developer_briefing_192_answering_your_questions/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=r/HellLetLoose}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

[[Category:Multiplayer video games]]
[[Category:Tactical shooter video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Hell Let Loose}}