Amy Hennig doesn't really do "simple" stories. If you’ve played Uncharted, you know she’s basically the master of the "playable blockbuster." So when Skydance New Media dropped the trailer for Marvel 1943 Rise of Hydra, the collective internet kind of lost its mind, and for good reason. We aren’t just getting another button-masher. This is a narrative-heavy, ensemble-driven period piece set in the middle of Occupied Paris during World War II. It feels gritty. It feels heavy. Most importantly, it looks like a movie you can actually control.
The game centers on an uneasy—honestly, downright hostile—alliance between a young Steve Rogers and Azzuri, the Black Panther of the 1940s and T’Challa’s grandfather. Throw in Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Nanali, a Wakandan spy, and you have a quartet that makes for some seriously spicy character dynamics.
The Unreal Engine 5.4 Factor
Let's talk about the visuals because they are, frankly, ridiculous. Skydance is using Unreal Engine 5.4, specifically leaning hard into MetaHuman technology. When you watch the trailer, pay attention to Steve Rogers’ face. You can see the micro-expressions, the slight twitch of a lip, the way the skin moves over the cheekbones. It’s not just "good for a game." It’s pushing into that territory where the uncanny valley starts to disappear.
They’re using Nanite for the environments too. Paris looks lived-in, scarred by war, and incredibly dense. We’re talking about every brick and cobblestone having its own geometric detail. It’s a far cry from the flat textures we saw in superhero games a decade ago.
The lighting is what really sells the 1943 atmosphere. Volumetric fog, shadows that actually feel oppressive in the Parisian alleys, and the way the light hits Captain America’s heater shield—yes, the classic triangular one—is just chef's kiss. It creates this noir-inspired aesthetic that separates it from the bright, poppy colors of the MCU. This is a world at war. It looks damp, cold, and dangerous.
Not Your Average Avengers Game
Remember the 2020 Avengers game? Yeah, most people are trying to forget the "live service" grind of it all. Marvel 1943 Rise of Hydra is the complete opposite. It’s a narrative-driven action-adventure game. There is no mention of "battle passes" or "daily login rewards." It’s a focused story.
You’ll be switching between four protagonists.
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- Captain America (Steve Rogers): The super-soldier early in his career, still finding his footing as a leader.
- Black Panther (Azzuri): A king protecting his interests in a world that doesn't even know Wakanda exists yet.
- Gabriel Jones: A US soldier and member of the Howling Commandos, bringing a boots-on-the-ground perspective.
- Nanali: A Wakandan spy who likely handles the stealth and intelligence-gathering side of the gameplay.
The conflict between Steve and Azzuri is the heart of the game. They aren't friends. In the trailer, they’re literally beating the hell out of each other on a bridge. Azzuri doesn't trust the American "super-soldier," and Steve sees a masked man he can't identify. It’s a clash of ideologies and nations. This isn't a "team up and save the day" vibe right from the jump. It’s a "we have to stop Hydra before they destroy everything, but I still don't like you" vibe.
Why the 1943 Setting Actually Matters
Setting a Marvel game in 1943 isn't just a gimmick. It allows the writers to explore a version of the Marvel Universe that feels grounded in history. Hydra isn't just a generic group of bad guys in green jumpsuits here. They are a terrifying, occult-obsessed wing of the Nazi machine.
Occupied Paris serves as the perfect playground. You have the French Resistance working in the shadows, the German occupation force on every corner, and these two "supers" trying to navigate a city that is basically a powder keg.
It also gives us a look at Wakanda before it became a global technological powerhouse. Azzuri isn't using a nanotechnology suit that materializes out of a necklace. His gear is more physical, more visceral. The combat reflects this. It’s punchy. It’s loud. When Cap hits someone with that shield, you feel the vibration through the screen.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind the Scenes
You can't talk about Marvel 1943 Rise of Hydra without mentioning Amy Hennig. After her departure from Naughty Dog and the unfortunate cancellation of her Star Wars project at Visceral, she’s back with a vengeance. Her fingerprints are all over this.
Hennig’s style is defined by "ludo-narrative harmony." That’s a fancy way of saying the gameplay and the story don't fight each other. In many games, you’re a nice guy in cutscenes and a mass murderer in gameplay. Hennig tries to bridge that gap. The banter during combat, the seamless transitions from cinematic to control—it’s all designed to keep you immersed.
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The score is being handled by Stephen Barton. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he did the music for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Apex Legends. He’s bringing a massive, orchestral sound that fits the epic scale of a WWII Marvel epic.
Addressing the "Linear vs. Open World" Debate
There’s been some chatter about whether this is an open-world game. Short answer: probably not in the way Spider-Man is. Think more along the lines of "wide-linear." You’ll likely have large, detailed hubs in Paris to explore, but the game is driven by its plot. You won't be clearing out 50 generic bandit camps to level up your shield.
This is a good thing.
By keeping the scope tight, Skydance can focus on high-fidelity animations and scripted moments that feel meaningful. Every encounter with Hydra should feel like it matters to the story, rather than just being another tick on a checklist.
What We Know About Release and Platforms
The game is slated for a 2025 release. It’s targeting the "big" platforms—PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Given the heavy reliance on Unreal Engine 5.4’s most advanced features, don't expect a last-gen port for PS4 or Xbox One. This is a "next-gen only" title through and through.
We’re still waiting on a deep-dive gameplay walkthrough. So far, we’ve seen mostly "in-engine" footage, which is impressive but doesn't show us the HUD or the specific minute-to-minute mechanics. However, Skydance has emphasized that the game is meant to be accessible while still offering depth for seasoned players.
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Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're hyped for Marvel 1943 Rise of Hydra, there are a few things you can do to get ready while we wait for the 2025 launch.
First, check out the Black Panther/Captain America: Flags of Our Fathers comic miniseries. It’s the primary inspiration for this story. It gives a lot of context on the first meeting between Steve Rogers and Azzuri and sets the tone for their relationship.
Keep an eye on the official Skydance New Media social channels. They’ve been dropping "behind the scenes" looks at the MetaHuman tech and the motion capture process. It’s fascinating stuff if you’re into the technical side of game development.
Lastly, make sure your hardware is up to snuff. If you’re a PC player, Unreal Engine 5.4 is notoriously demanding. You’re likely going to want an SSD and a GPU that can handle ray-traced shadows if you want the game to look anything like the trailers.
The wait until 2025 feels long, but if Hennig and her team deliver on the promise of a cinematic, character-first Marvel epic, it’s going to be a landmark release for superhero gaming. We've had the "fun" games. Now it's time for something with a bit more grit and a lot more heart.