Summary
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrais poised to offer a very fresh take on some incredibly beloved characters. Captain America and Black Panther are some of Marvel’s oldest and most iconic characters. Not only doesMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydraprovide the perfect setting for the two to cross paths, but it may also expertly avoid one of the biggest issues with modern superhero media.
Superheroes have been all the rage for quite some time now. While this has led to many solid adaptations of some incredible stories, this increase in interest doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Comic book characters have become increasingly favorable as IP, and this can lead to some stories over-stuffing themselves with cameos at the expense of authenticity. Thankfully,Rise of Hydra’s restrictive setting may be the perfect way to dodge this recent trend.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Should Avoid Stuffing its Setting with Cameo Characters
Marvel 1943’s Restrictive Setting Can Make its Focus Clear
With more than sixty years of history behind it,the Marvel Universeis about as expansive as it gets. From the Avengers, to the X-Men, to The Fantastic Four, there’s no shortage of iconic characters to draw from. Each corner of Marvel has its own host of vastly popular characters, and it’s no wonder that crossovers between them have only gotten more popular over time.
While fans may enjoy seeing Easter eggs of their favorite characters here and there, it can sometimes detract from an otherwise authentic story. Thankfully,Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydraseems to have a narrow focus on one dynamic in particular. Captain America and Black Panther are set to butt heads before teaming up, and while this is a sort of crossover in its own right, it’s a remarkably different approach from the kind ofcameo fare seen in recent MCU films.
Furthermore, being set so distantly in the past means there are many characters who are seemingly disqualified from making an appearance. For example,Marvel’s Spider-Man’stake on its title characteris already extremely popular, which makes it unlikely that the developers would try to find a way to shoehorn the wall-crawler into an adventure where he doesn’t belong. With that said, this doesn’t mean that there’s absolutely no place for other characters to appear inMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Rise of Hydra Doesn’t Have to Ditch Easter Eggs Entirely
Easter eggs can distract from the themes at hand, butRise of Hydradoesn’t have to ditch other Marvel charactersentirely. The wonderful thing about such an expansive universe is that any scenario has a number of characters that can slot right in without robbing the story of its authenticity. Howard Stark was already featured in a story trailer, and the game should continue to focus on characters unique to its era. Cameos could still prove distracting if developers go overboard, which simply makes this issue a very difficult needle to thread.
Thankfully, there are a fewcharacters who deserve a nod inMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. Of course, there are already likely to be notable characters from the mythos of Captain America and Black Panther alike. The Black Panther of the game being King Azzuri, not T’challa, further emphasizes the benefits of the game’s limited scope. Both heroes are already confirmed to be accompanied by an additional playable character from their background, and one might just reveal more about the setting’s potential.
King Azzuri is joined by Nanali, the leader of the Wakandan Spy Network. Likewise, Steve Rogers is paired up with Gabriel Jones, a member of the Howling Commandos. Gabriel’s position on the team of freedom fighters could provide room for subtle references to other characters without drawing too much attention away from the main protagonists. Bucky Barnes is one of Steve’s most loyal confidants and seems like a shoo-in, as isNick Fury, who led the Howling Commandosoriginally.
Even Wolverine has often crossed paths with Captain America thanks to his extended age. Logan has even served among the Commandos himself, depending on the continuity. Some speculation about the game suggests thatWolverine might cameo inMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydraafter all. However, this is surely as far as the game should go. Being set in the distant past allows the game to keep a tight focus, andRise of Hydrashould leverage this in order to remain as authentic as possible.
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.
