Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydraplants itself firmly in a singular year and a niche setting whether players actually get to see and explore Wakanda or not. It seems as if Wakanda won’t be part of the equation inMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, though, at least with regard toAzzuri’s Black Pantherand Nanali being in the most recent cinematic trailer’s snow-blanketed and occupied Paris, France. Either way, Skydance has pigeonholed the game’s narrative by restricting it to a specific timeframe as opposed to, say, the 1940s in general, and sequel potential is limited as a result unless it abandons its naming convention.
This may be precisely Skydance’s intent after all, and putting its foot down could be a genuine attempt at solidifying its vision forMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydrawithout any consideration for where the story might be headed after credits roll. It would appear odd for a Marvel entity to not have an inkling of franchise potential even brainstormed given how that is a primary crux of popular culture, and yet developingMarvel 1943as a standalone game that doesn’t depend on future sequels or related spin-offs could grant it a level of authenticity that few Marvel endeavors have nowadays.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra’s Natural Next Step Could Undermine Its Signature Premise
Giving itself such a particular setting and specific title,Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrais declaring that it belongs inseparably to WW2. It’s difficult now to imagine how Skydance could hope to craft a series of related games based on this particular premise and it isn’t clear whether that is the goal or intent, but again it would be alarming if sequels weren’t already being theorycrafted with however Skydance chooses to conclude the story ofMarvel 1943. Of course, not every game with a gargantuan IP needs to have its own franchise.
However, if any mythology adores and exploits continuity and franchise potential it’s Marvel and something to be wary about when it comes to how small in scopeRise of Hydrapresumably is.
Knowing that Steve Rogers’ Captain America is inevitably frozen during WW2 and, once thawed, reawakens in the present day, it could be impossible for Skydance to resist the urge of having that be a post-credits scene if nothing else. Doing so would suggest that a sequel could depict the beginnings ofan eventual Avengers game not unlike how the titular MCU movie was establishedand built up incrementally, and that could be a big mistake if it takes away from what is meant to makeMarvel 1943special.
A Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Sequel Might Create an Awkward Narrative and Gameplay Dissonance
How Skydance is structuring its ensemble WW2-era Marvel gameis exciting with four playable characters who all seem like they’d be polar opposites of each other in gameplay. Meanwhile, a sequel going that route with the Avengers would jeopardize the rarity ofMarvel 1943’s titular era while also jeopardizing the uniqueness of its playable cast, which would have an interesting choice to make regarding which characters on the Avengers roster are selected.
Hawkeye and Black Widow might be Avengers affiliates who don’t have powers or iconic equipment of their own, but they’re far more popular thanGabriel Jones and Nanali, who at least have obscurity on their side to make them narratively compelling characters inMarvel 1943. Skydance will hopefully look atRise of Hydraas a lone game unless it can justify sequels also taking place in the 1940s—if not, it risks bleeding into the same Marvel homogeneity that lacks an inspired, original take on the mythology.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
WHERE TO PLAY
In the chaos of war, worlds collide. Captain America and Azzuri, the Black Panther of the 1940s, must overcome their differences and form an uneasy alliance to confront their common enemy. Fighting alongside Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos, and Nanali, a Wakandan spy embedded in Occupied Paris, they must join forces to stop a sinister plot that threatens to turn the havoc of WWII into the ultimate rise of Hydra.
