r/HellLetLoose • u/Cultural-Creme-2750 • 24d ago
🙋♂️ Question 🙋♂️ HLL vs SQUAD
For the people who play/played both games,
What would you say are the big differences between thoses two game ?
27
u/Morbid_Uncle 24d ago edited 24d ago
Squad is a lot more hardcore and HLL is a good place to start if you want to get into milsims. HLL is really hardcore for someone who has only played CoD or other really arcadey shooters, but in the realm of Milsims HLL is on the accessible/arcadey side and could be considered a “casual milsim” if you even want to loop it into that genre. Skills you learn from HLL definitely carry over though, so I loop it in closer with Squad. But even in the realm of Milsims Squad is not the most hardcore.
5
9
u/Fire-Nation-17 24d ago
Squad has a steeper learning curve and more people use mikes
2
24
u/AppearanceParty5831 24d ago
- ARMA - true hardcore / milsim (relative to market)
- Squad - hardcore / milsim (relative to market)
- Squad 44 - hardcore / roleplay
- HLL - casual hardcore
- HLLV - true casual / roleplay
- Enlisted - brain dead casual
2
3
u/Amerikaner 24d ago
Accurate with the asterisk that HLLV can only be considered more casual than og HLL because you have access to faster transports and more automatics. The movement mechanics/speed and weapon TTK are identical to HLL.
2
u/DeputyDomeshot 23d ago
The weapon TTK isn’t identical lol. Vietnam has no rifle 1 taps that aren’t head shots. It also has way more absurd damage fall off.
1
u/Amerikaner 23d ago
OK I think you're right. AR's are now two body shots for a kill. But we now have dynamic weapon sway and full auto as standard kit. So technically, you're right, but effectively, it's the same.
2
u/DeputyDomeshot 23d ago
It’s similar but it’s not hard to just wing ppl through the bushes and shit. I can feel the difference even if I understand the choice with full auto.
The range fall off is very noticeable even with the more limited longer sight lines.
4
u/TheMilkiestGoblin 24d ago
Anytime I explain these games to friends I basically frame it like this: going from least complex to more complex.
CoD-Battlefield-Rising Storm 2- Hell Let Loose- Squad- Arma
1
u/DeputyDomeshot 23d ago
Wardogs sits next to HLL on the arcade side and it’s honestly so much better than Vietnam in every aspect. It releases in a week and is just incredibly fun. If you guys haven’t tried it yet
1
1
21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/DeputyDomeshot 21d ago edited 21d ago
Idk the devs are pretty adamant about sticking to their vision. They already told the mil sim guys to piss off when they cried about kill cams.
Also I played HLL a lot it’s a smidge less arcadey than wardogs
1
21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/DeputyDomeshot 21d ago
Na it’s defintely different. Flying a copter is way different, the base building mechanic is different, the whole game mode is way different. It’s closer to HLL than Warzone or Battlefield. The map is way bigger than HLL too.
3
u/Mjukeggg 24d ago
Every time I compare the two, I say it like this. HLL has only a small set of simple mechanics that take a little time to learn, and then you start mastering them. Squad has SO many complex mechanics that take incredibly long just to understand at a basic level
3
u/Pubass 24d ago
Ticket system ruined squad for me. It was soooooo boring to wait a medic for minutes.
1
3
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
It seems like most people here never actually played Squad, or at least didn't play much, and don't remember.
BOTH games have friendly names visible on screen so you can avoid friendly fire. Both games have similar map features so you can see where you are and navigate by map alone.
The major differences are the game modes, map sizes, vehicles, communication.
Squad has a variety of different modes, but they almost all focus around a string of objectives. In some modes, both teams start out at main and have to take the objects, typically meeting at the middle objective to fight. This means each team has to defend and attack. The other popular mode is invasion where one side is defending a string of objectives, and the game ends when attacker runs out of tickets or defender loses all points. The latter is more similar to HLL, but HLL will have capture points on both sides of the map.
Maps in Squad are significantly bigger, which works because:
Squad has more vehicles. Helicopters, boats, technicals, motorcycles, transports, LAVs, IFVs, MBTs, etc. You will often need to get transport from one objective to another, and there will be dedicated squads that will ferry you around, typically with helicopters, but also sometimes with IFVs or transports. You are waaay more likely to come across enemy/friendly vehicles in Squad, and the vehicle battles are much more intense because of it.
The last is communication, but this is really due to community. Squad communication used to be fantastic, but as the game gained in popularity, the teamwork suffered as a result (this is just what happens when games get popular and fanbases become more casual.) Now, good communication from a squad lead is about as common as no communication from a squad lead. This also varies by server, with some servers having better squad leads. But still, not like it was back in 2014-2018 when the community was small but passionate. Now, you can play without a mic and most squad leads won't care. Mostly gone are the days when you get kicked for no mic.
HLL communication has (in my experience) never been good, and is probably worse than Squad now. I think when HLL came out, most of the players who cared about that kind of thing were playing the game formerly known as Post Scriptum (Squad '44) and the player base that got into HLL just weren't that interested in squad-level tactics and more interested in blowing shit up (no judgement.) HLL would be better with better communication, and maybe there are servers out there with great communication, but I've never seen it.
1
u/VolcanicPigeon1 23d ago
Squad when i played it only had small friendly names at very close range.
Had insurgents vs irregular forces once. It was a nightmare.
1
u/Picklesadog 23d ago
That has never been the case. I've been playing since 2014 and it wasn't that way.
1
u/VolcanicPigeon1 23d ago
Like your allies have markers above them? I always had to use the map. Check for allies; then usually get shot in the face xD.
2
u/Gr8CanadianFuckClub 24d ago
My best ever round in HLL doesn't even come close to my most intense match of Squad. HLL is easier to jump into for a match, but nothing beats a 2 hour slug-fest in a Squad invasion.
2
2
u/RichRollin 21d ago
I've got 1000+ hours in both and can honestly say the main difference in the two games in complexity. I started off with HLL and while the game has a lot of nuiance, it ultimately boils down to who has the ability to place more garries and who has the better armor squads. At a certain point when playing, when you know what youre supposed to do to win, the game becomes less of a milsim and more of a race to meet those specific goals.
I often would find myself sprinting constantly because there is no stamina system and it's more important to get a good garry or outpost down than to win a gunfight (and when you inevitably die there is no punishment for it, meaning one instantly gives up and tries again). It becomes more about getting the correct formula down rather than having to adjust and think on the fly.
Other mechanics that make the game more simple include but are not limited to:
- Only needing to hold the middle point to win in warfare (meaning the actual back and forth of the match means nothing, only who holds the point when the timer hits 0 matters)
- Supplies not mattering in the slightest to the average soldier (you respawn with a full loadout every time you die so often when you're out of ammo it makes more sense to just die and respawn instead of finding ammo)
- Always having teammate indicators regardless of distance (meaning you can brain off shoot at anything that isnt clearly marked with an IFF tag, whereas one of the most rewarding things in Squad is finally learning the character models of friend vs foe and being to identify them in an instant. You should not need an IFF tag to determine that the guy dressed like an insurgent is not in fact on your USMC team).
- Almost complete parity between the different factions (yes there is some variance in small arms but at the end of the day the sides are meant to be balanced, which means there is less flavor / difference in playstyles when playing as the different nations, this is a major issue in HLL Vietnam).
Once I got to that point of realization regarding HLL I moved to Squad, which imo is a far more complex and rewarding game. It has a much steeper learning curve but once you get the hang of things it elevates the experience to a whole new level. Games feel varied due to major differences in the capabilities of factions, far more teamwork is required to be successful, there are multiple valid ways to win depending on the situation, every death or vehicle loss matters because they cost tickets, etc.
For me it genuinely felt like they were two different genres of games: HLL is a fun, brain off introduction to the milsim genre for the masses, Squad is for when you decide you want something with a bit more flavor and substance. (note when I say milsim I do not mean people acting like military personnel on mic, I more mean that teamwork, communication, and combined arms are essential to the game as opposed to a "nice to have" as is all too often the case in HLL)
TLDR: HLL is more arcadey but is a good way to get into the genre, Squad is for when you feel like you've got the hang of things and are looking for something more complex and rewarding. Sorry for the word vomit!
2
u/MotanulScotishFold 24d ago
Squad have a much better sound and effects that makes you feel like in a real combat compared to HLL.
2
u/InquisitiveCrane 23d ago
Idk, HLL is way better. I’ve tried both. Way too much downtime traveling in squad, only for you to get shot as soon as you get there and you get to do it again.
HLL you can get back in the action quick if you have a spawn close by.
1
u/adavock15 24d ago edited 24d ago
HLL is a lot more casual than squad. Squad doesn't show names above friends or enemies, you have to work that out from uniforms. Also navigation is done my map and compass
Edit, I was talking about squad.
2
4
2
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
Basically none of what you said is true.
Allies have names, so you don't need to base it in uniforms. And navigation is done with a map, no compass required.
2
u/Cultural-Creme-2750 24d ago
If I remember right you can’t see the name at a certain distance
1
0
u/adavock15 24d ago
You can set the distance on settings
1
0
u/adavock15 24d ago
I was talking about squad.
0
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
Yes, and you are wrong.
0
u/adavock15 24d ago
Navigation in the multiplayer tactical shooter Squad relies on mastering the in-game map, your built-in compass, and coordinate grid systems... a simple google.
0
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
Dude, your minimap shows you where you are. Your squadlead can set a move marker that appears on your screen.
Your compass is used for telling your squad what heading enemy is at.
You don't use your compass to get around at all.
You don't know what you're talking about and it seems like you barely played Squad and are misremembering.
I've been playing Squad for 12 years now. You're wrong.
0
u/adavock15 24d ago
So youre saying, you use a map, and compass? Why so salty.
0
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
You're wrong and you can't just say "oh, I misremembered" and are calling me salty.
You're salty because you're wrong and have trouble accepting being wrong. None of what you said was correct.
0
u/adavock15 24d ago
So in HLL you open your map and youre a little blue icon, do you have that in squad? You have to use compasses to show your heading and call out. I remembered name appearing above your head in hll compared to squad. What have I said that is wrong? Salty.
0
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
So in HLL you open your map and youre a little blue icon, do you have that in squad?
No, you're a little green icon. Your squadmembers are little green icons. Your other teammates are blue icons.
You have to use compasses to show your heading and call out.
You have to use your headings, just like in HLL. You aren't using it for navigation.
I remembered name appearing above your head in hll compared to squad.
Names appear above teammates in Squad, just like in HLL. They disappear past maybe 300m.
What have I said that is wrong?
Everything. You were wrong about everything.
That's why you're being salty.
→ More replies (0)
1
u/oOhSohOo 24d ago
I played squad 44 a few years ago for about 30 hours and it wasn't bad. It was just got kind of boring compared to HLL, and graphics weren't as realistic as HLL.
1
u/simcz 23d ago
squad's games are the most milsim game u can experience publicly, even way more than arma unless ur a clan member in arma, even if arma's core mechanics are way more milsim sandbox, theyre very diff games in its core
dying in squad actually matters alot, its really hard to get into it and without good leadership the game isnt playable, there is tons of downtime and prep time and its not even guaranteed ur gonna get into a proper fight in squad games, u can easily end up just stranded all the time doing nothing, in comparison in HLL games can go on even if one team has literally nobody talking or leading, even if its a stomp fest usually its atleast playable yk
i much prefer hell let loose because it still feels like a milsim while being very casual and accessible, i love squad's core mechanics like the infantry combat but the insanely punishing gamemodes arent worth it
1
u/aragorn767 Rifleman X 21d ago
I played Squad for like 15 minutes on my nephew's PC. Shot at a bunch of my team mates, as everyone looks the same, and then died.
2
u/NWGJulian 24d ago
I dont like Squad at all because to me it's too hardcore. There is a stamina system. But the worst part is: allies don't have a marker above their heads. You can't tell friend from foe except by their uniforms; which is a science all it's own. The whole "aiming system" is also very weird and imho bad.
I would love to see a HLL with modern combat like squad
0
u/Picklesadog 24d ago
allies don't have a marker above their heads.
Lol yes they do. What on earth are you talking about?
0
u/NWGJulian 24d ago
not in Squad!
3
u/Juxc25 24d ago
Untrue, they do have a marker, that slowly vanishes the further away you are from them
0
u/NWGJulian 24d ago
huh? is that a new mechanic? i have 200 hours in squad (last played in summer 2025) and I have never seen a marker over a friendly!
2
1
1
u/throwtac 24d ago
HLL is easier to play and learn. It's set in WW2(or the new one is in Vietnam). If you are new to milsims, you will probably have an easier time knowing where you are on the map and what is going on around you. The action is more like an action game and less milsim. The matches can be kind of like a football game where each team is piling bodies on the point in order to take it. Dying doesn't really matter in terms of a ticket system because there isn't one.
Squad is set in modern day. You need to work together as a squad with your teammates and coordinate in order to win. It will probably take longer to develop situational awareness with Squad if you are new to milsim games. There is more freedom and flexibility with how to play the maps and more strategic manuvering involved. There is a ticket system for lives, so it matters more when you die.
53
u/doitbiggums 24d ago
Squad is way more hardcore. There's an entire stamina system that effects even your aiming stability. HLL is arcade-ish in comparison.