Video games have a funny way of overpromising and underdelivering, especially when superheroes are involved. We’ve seen the highs of Spider-Man on PS5 and the literal, crushing lows of Marvel’s Avengers. But Skydance New Media is doing something different. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra isn't another "live service" treadmill designed to suck your wallet dry with $20 skins. Honestly, it looks like a focused, narrative-heavy brawler that understands why we liked these characters in the first place.
It's 1943. Occupied Paris. You’ve got a young, somewhat idealistic Steve Rogers and an incredibly cynical, battle-hardened Azzuri—the Black Panther of the WWII era and T’Challa’s grandfather. They don't like each other. That’s the hook.
The Amy Hennig factor and why it matters
If you don't know the name Amy Hennig, you definitely know her work. She’s the creative force behind the original Uncharted trilogy. That matters because it tells us exactly what kind of game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is going to be. We are talking about "cinematic adventure." That means set pieces that feel like movies, snappy dialogue that doesn't make you cringe, and a story that actually has a beginning, middle, and an end.
Imagine the chemistry between Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan, but swap out the treasure hunting for Vibranium shields and Wakandan tech in the middle of a Nazi-occupied war zone.
The game uses Unreal Engine 5.4. Specifically, it’s pushing the MetaHuman technology to a point where the characters don't just look like puppets; they have micro-expressions that convey actual emotion. During the State of Unreal keynote, the footage showed Steve and Azzuri squaring off on a bridge. You could see the tension in the bridge of Steve's nose. You could see the skepticism in Azzuri’s eyes. It’s a far cry from the "uncanny valley" faces we’ve tolerated for a decade.
Four heroes, one chaotic city
You aren't just playing as Cap. That would be too simple. The narrative splits its time between four distinct characters, which is a gutsy move for a linear action game.
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- Steve Rogers: The super-soldier. He’s early in his career here. He isn't the legendary leader of the Avengers yet; he’s a guy trying to do the right thing in a world that’s rapidly turning gray.
- Azzuri: The T'Chaka-era Black Panther. He is lethal, fast, and views the European war through a much more pragmatic, protective lens for Wakanda.
- Gabriel Jones: A member of the Howling Commandos. This is huge for comic fans. Gabe provides the boots-on-the-ground perspective of a human soldier caught in a clash of titans.
- Nanali: A Wakandan spy embedded in Paris. Her gameplay likely leans into the stealth and intelligence-gathering side of the occupation.
The interaction between these four is the heartbeat of the game. They aren't a team. Not at first. They are rivals with a common enemy. Watching a Wakandan king and an American super-soldier try to figure out who has jurisdiction over a Nazi-infested alleyway is the kind of character drama that most superhero games skip in favor of "go here, punch 10 robots."
Why Hydra is more than just a generic villain
Hydra in the MCU became a bit of a meme. "Hail Hydra," secret underground bases, etc. In Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the threat feels more grounded in the actual horror of the 1940s. We are seeing the organization at its peak—infiltrating the German high command and searching for ancient power that could shift the war permanently.
The game is tackling the "Rise" part of the title literally. It’s about how an occult-obsessed fringe group becomes a global shadow empire. For players, this means the enemy variety should, hopefully, go beyond guys in green jumpsuits. We’re looking at experimental weaponry, occult artifacts, and perhaps some of the more "mad science" aspects of the Marvel lore that often get glossed over.
Gameplay expectations: Combat and exploration
So, how does it actually play?
While we haven't seen a full 20-minute raw gameplay walkthrough, the trailers and developer insights suggest a mix of traversal and heavy-hitting combat. Cap’s shield isn't just a projectile; it’s a tool for crowd control and environmental interaction. On the flip side, Azzuri’s combat is vertical. He uses the architecture of Paris—the rooftops, the balconies—to descend on enemies.
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It’s not an open world. Thank goodness.
By keeping the levels "wide linear," the developers can script those massive Uncharted-style moments. You might be chasing a truck through a crowded market one minute and sneaking through a silent cathedral the next. This structure allows for a much higher level of graphical detail because the engine doesn't have to render thirty miles of forest at once.
The technical wizardry of 2026 gaming
The lighting in the Paris sections is phenomenal. Using Lumen (UE5’s global illumination), the way the wet cobblestones reflect the flickering streetlights or the glow of a Hydra energy weapon is genuinely next-gen. It’s one of the first games that makes the PS5 and Xbox Series X feel like they are finally being pushed to their limits.
There’s also the sound design. Working with a score that blends 1940s orchestral themes with Wakandan percussion creates a unique sonic identity. It’s not just "superhero music." It’s period-piece music with a pulse.
What most people get wrong about the "Two Superheroes" dynamic
A common misconception is that this is a co-op game like Gotham Knights. It isn't.
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Skydance has been pretty firm that this is a single-player, story-driven experience. You switch characters based on the story’s needs. This allows the writers to force you into perspectives you might not choose otherwise. You might play a level as Gabe Jones where you feel incredibly vulnerable compared to the super-powered beings, which heightens the stakes. It forces you to respect the power scale of the Marvel universe.
Addressing the skepticism
Is there a risk? Always. Licensed games have a history of being rushed. However, Skydance New Media is backed by a massive amount of talent, and Amy Hennig has a reputation for walking away from projects that don't meet her standards rather than releasing junk.
The biggest hurdle will be the length. In an era where people expect 100 hours of "content," a 12-to-15-hour cinematic story can sometimes get pushback. But if those 15 hours are polished to a mirror sheen, it’s a trade-off many of us are willing to make. Quality over quantity is a cliché for a reason.
Actionable insights for fans and players
If you are following the development or planning to pick this up, here is the move:
- Brush up on the lore: This isn't the MCU. It’s its own universe. Reading the Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers comic miniseries will give you a massive head start on the vibes they are going for here.
- Watch the tech demos: If you’re a tech nerd, look up the "State of Unreal" 2024 presentation. It explains how they are using Nanite and MetaHuman to achieve the visuals. It’ll make you appreciate the shadows and textures much more when you’re actually playing.
- Check your hardware: If you're on PC, start looking at your VRAM. Unreal Engine 5.4 is hungry. You’ll likely want at least 12GB of VRAM to see Paris in its full, rainy glory at 1440p or 4K.
- Manage expectations on "Multiplayer": Don't go in looking for a lobby. This is a solo journey. Treat it like a digital prestige miniseries.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra represents a pivot back to what made gaming great before everything became a "service." It’s a bold, expensive, single-player gamble on the idea that people still want a great story told well. We’ll find out soon enough if the shield and the claw can actually share the screen without tearing it apart.