Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Crossplay Playtest Dates and Đắk Tô Airfield Details

The highly anticipated tactical shooter from Expression Games and Team17 is gearing up for another major milestone. Following earlier closed sessions, the development team has officially confirmed a massive cross-platform playtest for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, running this weekend from July 24 to July 27. This pre-launch event marks a significant moment for the community, as it will be the first time players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S can share the same battlefield in this 1960s asymmetric warfare setting.

With the full release slated for mid-August, this test is expected to be one of the final opportunities to stress-test the servers, refine the backend infrastructure, and gather critical feedback on weapon balance, vehicle handling, and overall performance.

Interestingly, early information indicated that the game might not support crossplay between PC and consoles at launch. The existence of this unified playtest suggests that the developers are either heavily stress-testing the matchmaking infrastructure for a post-launch update, or reportedly reconsidering the launch feature set based on community feedback. Regardless of the long-term plan, this weekend offers a unique environment where mouse-and-keyboard veterans will clash alongside controller users in a hardcore 50v50 environment.

Official Playtest Schedule and Start Times

Players looking to deploy into the jungle will need to clear their weekend schedules. The playtest servers will open on Friday, July 24, and remain active continuously until Monday, July 27. Getting in early is highly recommended to avoid potential server queue bottlenecks that typically occur during the first few hours of these technical tests.

The servers will officially go live at the following regional times:

• 6:00 AM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
• 9:00 AM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
• 2:00 PM BST (British Summer Time)
• 3:00 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time)
• 11:00 PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

You should anticipate a substantial download size. Given the high-fidelity Unreal Engine 5 assets and the large-scale nature of the game, making sure your storage drive is prepared beforehand is a smart move. PC players should also double-check their hardware against the expected system requirements to ensure smooth framerates during heavy artillery barrages or close-air support strafing runs.

How to Download and Secure Your Access

The process for joining the playtest varies depending on your platform of choice. Unlike traditional open betas that sit on the storefront as a standalone download, you will need to navigate the specific request systems on each platform.

PC Players (Steam)

If you are playing on PC, head over to the official Hell Let Loose: Vietnam store page on Steam. Once the designated start time hits, a new button labeled “Request Access” will appear below the main game description. Clicking this button will instantly grant you permission to download the separate playtest application. It is important to note that you do not need to pre-order the game to participate; the test is open to anyone who requests access during the active window. Just download the client, adjust your settings, and queue up.

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S Players

Console players have a slightly different path to deployment. Once the start time arrives, you need to manually search for the “Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Playtest” application directly within the PlayStation Store or Xbox Store. It will be listed as a separate, downloadable demo client rather than an update to any existing pre-order placeholder.

There is one major caveat for console participants: you must have an active premium network subscription to join the servers. PlayStation 5 users need an active PlayStation Plus membership, while Xbox Series X|S users are required to have Xbox Game Pass Essential (or a higher tier). Because this is a purely multiplayer experience heavily reliant on centralized dedicated servers, these subscription requirements are strictly enforced by the platform holders.

Map Spotlight: Surviving the Đắk Tô Airfield

While previous tests allowed players to explore different environments, this cross-platform weekend introduces a brand-new addition to the maps roster: the Đắk Tô Airfield. Situated in the rugged, unforgiving terrain of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, this map is expected to offer a severe contrast in engagement ranges and tactical pacing compared to the dense jungle valleys seen previously.

Airfields during the Vietnam War were vital logistical lifelines and heavily fortified strongpoints. In the game, Đắk Tô Airfield is designed to force entirely different combat doctrines depending on where your squad is positioned on the grid.

The Runway and Vehicle Warfare

The center of the map is dominated by the airstrip itself. This is a massive, flat expanse of concrete and dirt that offers zero natural cover. For infantry, attempting to cross the runway without heavy smoke concealment or armored support is effectively a death sentence. The open ground will become a playground for vehicle combat, where light armor, transport trucks, and mounted machine guns can dominate the sightlines. Tank crews and mechanized infantry will find the runway crucial for rapidly redeploying across the map, provided they can avoid enemy anti-tank ambushes set up on the perimeter.

Fortified Military Positions

Surrounding the runway are the military installations—bunkers, sandbag walls, trench networks, and watchtowers. Combat in these sectors will shift dramatically into chaotic close-quarters engagements. Clearing these bunkers requires heavy use of fragmentation grenades, shotguns, and fully automatic fire. The tight corners and limited visibility inside the trench lines mean that squads need to move methodically, checking every angle. These fortifications act as the primary capture zones, making them meat grinders where both teams will exhaust their reinforcement tickets.

Jungles, Hamlets, and Ambushes

Beyond the military perimeter lies the traditional Vietnam environment: dense, humid jungles dotted with small rural hamlets. This is where the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) and Viet Cong forces will feel most at home. The foliage provides excellent concealment for flanking maneuvers, allowing the northern forces to completely bypass the heavily defended runway and strike the fortifications from unexpected angles. Navigating these hamlets requires high situational awareness, as the wooden structures offer concealment but very poor hard cover against high-caliber penetration.

Asymmetrical Warfare on the Airfield

The introduction of Đắk Tô Airfield perfectly highlights the asymmetric design of the two factions. The US Forces and the Northern forces play by completely different sets of rules, and this map will stretch both doctrines to their limits.

US Forces: Air Mobility and Firepower

For the United States military, the airfield is a natural staging ground. Expect the US Commander and Squad Leaders to heavily utilize helicopter mechanics to their advantage. Huey helicopters can bypass the dangerous jungle perimeter entirely, air-assaulting infantry squads directly onto the roofs of bunkers or into the flanking hamlets. Securing safe landing zones (LZs) under the threat of enemy RPGs will be the primary challenge for US pilots. Furthermore, the US forces will rely heavily on overwhelming artillery and napalm strikes to soften up the NVA trench lines before sending infantry across the open ground.

Northern Forces: Tunnels and Stealth

The North Vietnamese forces lack the air mobility of the US, but they make up for it with unparalleled infiltration capabilities. On a map with wide-open death zones like the airstrip, the NVA and VC will heavily rely on their tunnel networks. By placing hidden tunnel entrances in the dense jungle and exiting directly underneath or behind the US fortifications, the northern forces can completely negate the American range advantage. The key for the NVA will be patience—letting the US armor push too far down the runway before disabling their tracks from the tree line and swarming the isolated crews.

Tactical Considerations for Crossplay Squads

Throwing PC and console players into the same servers for the first time is going to create fascinating shifts in squad dynamics. Hell Let Loose relies entirely on communication, chain of command, and strategic garrison placement rather than individual twitch reflexes.

Voice communication (VoIP) is not just recommended; it is practically mandatory if you want to win. Console players utilizing the built-in microphone on the PS5 DualSense controller or standard Xbox headsets will need to coordinate closely with PC veterans. Whether you are calling out an enemy sniper in a watchtower or requesting a supply drop for a new garrison, relaying accurate information is the difference between holding a sector and being overrun.

Players stepping into leadership roles and classes—such as the Commander or Squad Leader—must be prepared to manage a diverse team. A squad might consist of a PC machine gunner laying down suppressive fire while a console medic navigates the trenches to revive teammates. The cross-platform environment means you will encounter varying playstyles and movement patterns, requiring adaptable leadership to keep the squad cohesive.

When selecting your loadout, consider the specific sector you are defending or attacking. The 1960s arsenal is unforgiving. The M16A1 and AK-47 are reliable all-rounders, but if your squad is tasked with holding the long sightlines of the runway, deploying a sniper or a heavy machine gunner is crucial. Conversely, if you are pushing into the jungle hamlets, submachine guns and shotguns will serve you far better than a bolt-action rifle.

Preparing for Deployment

With the playtest looming, this weekend is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the mechanics that separate the Vietnam iteration from its WW2 predecessor. The inclusion of the Đắk Tô Airfield ensures that players will experience the full spectrum of combat—from terrifying open-ground charges to claustrophobic bunker clearing and tense jungle patrols.

Remember that this is a pre-launch test build. You will likely encounter unpolished textures, occasional server lag, or balance issues. The developers are explicitly running this cross-platform test to find and squash these bugs before the official release next month. Report your findings, communicate with your squad, and prepare for one of the most intense tactical shooter experiences of the year.