Hell Let Loose: Vietnam supported full PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 crossplay during its July 2026 playtest. That test also included selected console-only servers and used Epic Online Services for voice chat.
Those are verified playtest facts, not a promise that every launch-day server option will be identical. This page separates the July configuration from the items we will verify when the full game launches on August 13.
Current crossplay status
The official July 24 playtest notice said:
- the playtest supported full cross-platform play;
- selected servers were reserved for Xbox, PS5 or console crossplay;
- all other listed servers supported PC, Xbox and PS5 together.
This is different from the original Hell Let Loose support information that players may find in older search results. Do not use an article about the original game to decide how HLLV crossplay works.
What the server letters meant in the July playtest
| Letter | July playtest meaning |
|---|---|
| X | Xbox-only server |
| P | PS5-only server |
| C | Console crossplay between Xbox and PS5 |
| No listed console letter | Full PC, Xbox and PS5 crossplay according to the playtest notice |
This table is dated July 24, 2026. We will replace it if the launch server browser uses different labels.
How to choose a server
Before joining, work through this order:
- Confirm that the server accepts your platform.
- Check the region and ping.
- Check whether crossplay is enabled or restricted.
- Look for the game mode and map.
- Check the player count and queue.
- Read any server rules before selecting a specialist or leadership role.
A full server is not automatically the best server. A slightly less populated server in the correct region may give you a more stable connection and a shorter queue.
Exact filters, sorting options and favorite-server behavior require launch-build verification.
Does HLLV have PC-only servers?
The July playtest notice explicitly described console-only options and said the other servers supported all three platforms. It did not establish a permanent launch rule for PC-only servers.
We will not convert community assumptions into a definitive answer. At launch, this section will be checked against:
- the live server browser;
- official server-hosting documentation;
- Team17 support material;
- the crossplay toggle available on each platform.
How voice chat worked in the July playtest
Team17 said HLLV had moved from VIVOX to Epic Online Services voice chat. The stated goal was better voice quality, reliability and directional audio over the long term.
The same notice identified voice distortion as the highest-priority known issue in that test build. Distortion could occur when players repeatedly opened and closed radio channels. The default behavior for “Toggle Radio Channels” was changed for the test to reduce how often a channel reopened.
Party voice chat was not available in that playtest build. That does not prove that it will remain unavailable in the full release.
Voice chat troubleshooting order
1. Confirm the input device
Check that Windows or the console is using the intended microphone. If you changed devices after launching the game, restart the game before testing again.
2. Confirm push-to-talk or toggle behavior
Make sure the key or controller input matches the current control menu. Do not rely on an old beta screenshot or a keybind from the original game.
3. Test one channel at a time
Use a quiet moment to test the available channel with a squad member. If one channel works and another does not, the problem is different from a microphone that never transmits.
4. Check whether the symptom matches a known issue
Distorted audio at the beginning or end of transmissions was an acknowledged July playtest issue. If the full release notes say that issue was fixed, do not keep applying the old workaround.
5. Separate voice problems from connection problems
High ping, packet loss or a server interruption can affect more than voice chat. If movement, hit registration and other players also appear delayed, test the connection before changing audio devices.
6. Rejoin only after recording the symptom
Write down the server, channel, platform and input device. That makes it easier to tell whether rejoining fixed the issue or only changed the conditions.
Push-to-talk and channel etiquette
The final launch controls will be added after verification. The communication principle is already useful:
- use proximity communication for nearby, immediate information;
- use squad communication for the squad’s task;
- reserve leadership communication for information that changes coordination between units;
- keep callouts short enough that other players can respond.
A useful callout says what happened, where it happened and what direction the threat is moving.
Cross-progression and parties
Crossplay and cross-progression are different features. A game may let platforms share a server without sharing unlocks, account progression or purchases.
The July playtest crossplay notice does not provide enough evidence to promise cross-progression. The same caution applies to platform party formation and party voice. These items remain launch-verification tasks.
Launch-day verification checklist
On August 13 we will verify:
- PC, Xbox and PS5 crossplay combinations;
- PC-only and console-only server options;
- server label meanings;
- party formation and invitations;
- party voice availability;
- push-to-talk defaults;
- channel names and inputs;
- current VOIP known issues;
- whether progression transfers between platforms.
Related guides
- Start with the Hell Let Loose: Vietnam beginner guide.
- Check the official PC requirements.
- Separate connection symptoms from graphics problems with the PC settings guide.
- Compare responsibilities in the roles and classes guide.
- Return to the Hell Let Loose: Vietnam guide hub for the full launch cluster.
Sources
- Crossplay Playtest: Known Issues, Feedback & Info
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Beta Testing & Crossplay Update
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam on Steam
Game Field Guide is independent and is not affiliated with Team17 or Expression Games.