Back in September 2022, Marvel Games threw its fans a bone with an announcement about a World War II-era game featuring a star-studded lineup of Black Panther, Captain America, and a few more heroes from its vault. Since then, it’s been radio silence. That is, until a leaker recently revealed that the game might be titled Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Twitter (or X, if you prefer) has been buzzing with reactions ever since user @Kurakasis, a Marvel insider, let this tidbit slip. With nothing but a title and some key art, the latest leak suggests a gritty narrative set in a world engulfed in war. Unsurprisingly, this news has been met with a mix of intrigue and skepticism.
The title is
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra pic.twitter.com/fgux0fMcAN
— Kurakasis (@Kurakasis) March 16, 2024
A lot of this comes from the simple fact that Marvel has traditionally tethered its game titles to the capes of its heroes, with names like Marvel’s Avengers, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Marvel’s Wolverine, all of which offer a clear description to fans. However, this newly teased title breaks from tradition, overlooking the names of its protagonists for a focus on the era and enemy.
This decision, while bold, has left some fans scratching their heads, wondering whether the absence of Black Panther and Captain America from the title might cause the game to drift aimlessly in the sea of forgotten games.
Thankfully for fans, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra will feature a roster of heroes that, while not as mainstream as the Avengers, promises a fresh take on superhero team-ups. This includes Steve Rogers as Captain America, T’Challa’s granddad Azzuri as the Black Panther, Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos, and Nanali, the leader of the Wakandan Spy Network.
Despite all this, the game’s title, if it remains unchanged, might end up being its undoing. Fans, a notoriously hard-to-please bunch, have voiced concerns over the title’s appeal, with some suggesting that it lacks the immediate recognition factor of its forerunners.
The balancing act of honoring two iconic characters while also paying homage to their shared struggle against Hydra is no small feat. Coming up with a succinct title that tips its hat to all elements of the game might indeed prove more challenging than gamers assume it to be.
Worries may also prove to be premature and unfounded. ‘Marvel’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting in there, but the name of the legendary comic publisher is easily as known to mainstream consumers as the individual names of their heroes. Namedropping Hydra also helps, as – especially in a post-MCU world – most people will know the quintessential fictionalized Nazi faction.
American developer Skydance New Media will be taking charge of the project under the guidance of none other than Amy Hennig, the former creative director of Naughty Dog. Promises of “more down the road” were made, though the road has turned out to be longer than we thought.
It remains to be seen whether this rumor of the game’s title will prove to be true, and if it does, whether Marvel Games will consider changing it before the game is finally launched.
