I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been burned by superhero games. For every Spider-Man or Arkham Asylum, there’s a Marvel’s Avengers—some half-baked, microtransaction-laden mess that feels more like a cash grab than an actual game.
So when Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra was announced, I didn’t expect much. Another Marvel tie-in? Probably another generic, open-world, punch-the-bad-guys simulator.
Then I saw the details. And this one actually looks different.
What Is Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra?
This isn’t another modern-day Avengers game. This is a WWII-era superhero story, set in the middle of one of the most fascinating time periods in Marvel history.
- The game stars Captain America and Black Panther—but not the versions you know from the MCU.
- This is young Steve Rogers, still in his early days as Captain America, fighting Hydra during World War II.
- Black Panther isn’t T’Challa—it’s his grandfather, Azzuri, the Black Panther of the 1940s.
- The game features four playable characters: Captain America, Black Panther, a Howling Commando named Gabriel Jones, and Nanali, a Wakandan spy.
It’s an interesting approach—one that moves away from the MCU formula and actually leans into Marvel’s rich comic book history.
A Story-Driven Marvel Game? Finally.
The most exciting part? This isn’t a live service game.
No battle passes. No online co-op. No loot-based grinding. Just a single-player, story-driven Marvel game, which is exactly what we need after so many failed live service superhero experiments.
The game is being developed by Skydance New Media, led by Amy Hennig—the same writer and creative director behind Uncharted.
If that doesn’t get you hyped, let me spell it out:
- The Uncharted series is one of the best narrative-driven action franchises ever made.
- Amy Hennig knows how to write cinematic, character-driven stories that feel like interactive movies without losing the fun of actual gameplay.
- That means Marvel 1943 is probably less about open-world exploration and more about tight, scripted, story-heavy gameplay.
And after so many mediocre, padded-out superhero games, that’s exactly what we need.
What Kind of Game Will It Be?
We don’t have a full gameplay reveal yet, but based on Skydance’s past projects and Marvel’s involvement, we can assume a few things:
- It’s third-person action, likely with stealth and combat elements depending on the character you’re playing.
- Captain America will probably have brawler-style combat, while Black Panther could be more acrobatic and stealth-based.
- The game will switch perspectives between its four main characters, telling a connected, branching narrative.
- Given Amy Hennig’s past work, expect cinematic set-pieces, fast-paced action, and big, dramatic storytelling.
The real question is how much freedom we’ll have—is this going to be a tightly scripted linear experience, or will it have more open-ended gameplay?
What Marvel 1943 Needs to Get Right
Superhero games have a bad habit of falling into the same traps:
- Bad combat. (Marvel’s Avengers turned superheroes into generic button-mashing brawlers.)
- Too much padding. (Spider-Man: Miles Morales was great, but its open-world side quests felt like filler.)
- Unnecessary live service elements. (Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was built around grind-based multiplayer, and look how that turned out.)
If Marvel 1943 wants to succeed, it needs to focus on what actually makes superhero games fun:
- A strong story that actually respects its characters.
- Combat that makes you feel powerful, but still skill-based and challenging.
- A well-paced, immersive world—not just a checklist of objectives.
So, When’s It Coming Out?
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is set to release in 2025, but given the scope of the project, it wouldn’t be surprising if it slips to 2026.
But based on what we know so far? This might finally be the Marvel game we’ve been waiting for.
And if Amy Hennig is at the helm?
I trust her to actually do it right.