Hell Let Loose

Hell Let Loose is the debut project of the independent Australian studio Black Matter. It is a World War II first-person shooter focused on multiplayer mode.

Plot

Hell Let Loose takes place during the World War II - on the day of the premiere players could take part in the battle of Stalingrad, the battle of Kursk or the initial phase of Operation Overlord, representing both Allied and Axis forces. The developers planned to release more maps with other fronts over time.

Mechanics

In Hell Let Loose the action is presented by using a first-person perspective. The game focuses on presenting the war as realistically as possible. The battles are fought on vast maps, designed based on archives. The gameplay focuses on battles fought between two teams of fifty players, divided into smaller groups called platoons. The soldiers are tasked with taking over and holding specific sectors while also maintaining supply lines. The latter guarantees access to needed resources like ammunition and fuel.

Before the battle, player selects one of a few character classes. This determines the equipment and the role on the battlefield. The key to success lies in cooperation between players and in coordination of actions. The tactics of players should consider the topography and types of buildings encountered – battles in the narrow streets of French city Sainte-Marie-du-Mont are completely different than the battles fought in a territory filled with trees. The environment that can be destroyed is important as well – destroying a bridge can cut of enemy supply lines. The situation is controlled by Commanders who use radio to communicate with other team members. They create strategy based on information received from the Officers. The Officers can select observation points and mark targets.

Hell Let Loose for PC features more than a dozen of weapons – among them there are pistols, machine guns, shotguns, grenades, mines, mortals and flamethrowers. What’s interesting, each weapon behaves differently – because there is no crosshair, player must spend some time on learning how to use them. The battlefield isn’t used exclusively by infantry – there are various vehicles as well, including supply vehicles like Opel Blitz, transporters, scouting vehicles and tanks (Sherman Firefly, Panther). In dire situations players can call in air strikes that can change the outcome of the battle.

The previously mentioned supply lines guarantee access to resources. Engineers can use them to create fortifications, minefields and sockets for machine guns. Damage received on the battlefield is realistic as well. It is divided into three categories - being shot in less vital parts can be cured by the player, but more serious wounds must be checked by a medic. A grenade or mine explosion usually means immediate death.

Technical aspects

Hell Let Loose 3D graphics looks very good - the game is powered by Unreal Engine 4. This enabled the developers to create environment that is rich in details, detailed weapon and machine models and high-quality particle effects of the explosions.

Last updated on 04 October 2021