The long-awaited Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, the narrative game directed by Amy Hennig will no longer see release in 2025 as previously announced. Skydance New Media confirmed that the title is delayed to 2026. Giving a reality check to fans who were hoping to dive into this story set in World War II next year.
An unavoidable delay for Marvel
Marvel’s game drew attention for its cinematic approach and its promise of high-level narrative in the style of Naughty Dog productions. Not for nothing: behind the project is Hennig, one of the most respected figures in the industry for his work on the Nathan Drake saga.
Skydance has preferred not to give precise details about the reasons for the delay. But on their website they recently updated the release date, changing the expected “2025” to a distant “2026”. Although this is not a formal announcement as such by Marvel. This modification has been enough for media and gamers to assume that the release window has been postponed.
The studio is probably looking to avoid the mistake of releasing a half-baked product. In times where delays no longer surprise anyone and the community prefers polished games rather than rushed releases. The decision seems wise but painful.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is more than an open world game or a traditional RPG. It is a narrative experience centered around the story of four main characters. These are Steve Rogers‘ Captain America, Azzuri, T’Challa’s grandfather and Black Panther from World War II, Gabriel Jones, a member of the Howling Commandos, and Nanali, an infiltrated Wakandan spy.
With this mix of familiar figures and new ones, the title promises to offer a dense, mature narrative, far removed from the humorous tone to which Marvel has accustomed us. The setting, moreover, is more reminiscent of the publisher’s classic comics than its recent film adaptations.
The most striking aspect of the project is not only its cast of characters, but the approach with which it is being built. Hennig has made it clear that his goal is to tell a complex story. With real characters, facing the horrors of war and the moral dilemma of fighting for the greater good. At a time when many superhero games are limited to superficial action, Rise of Hydra aims to be a rarity. A title with emotional weight and deep narrative.
Technology will also be key. The game is being developed in Unreal Engine 5, so expect an impressive visuals, with realistic details, advanced lighting and an art direction that accompanies the serious and warlike tone of the story.
The industry is full of examples where haste has ruined games with potential. If Skydance and Marvel prefer to take their time to deliver a solid work, well executed and faithful to the original vision, the delay can be seen as a good sign. The same situation has happened with big name productions that have found it necessary to delay their release in order to deliver a quality product. Let’s hope that the final result of the game will be good and that there will be no pressure on the workers. As there has been so much talk in recent years about crunch.
With Amy Hennig at the helm, there is reason to keep the hype under control but alive. Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra may be the title that proves that superhero video games can still tell mature stories. This without relying on repeated formulas or easy spectacle. All that remains is to wait, although now we will have to wait another year.