Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra plants itself in a unique year and niche setting regardless of whether players actually get to see and explore Wakanda or not. It seems that Wakanda will not be part of the equation in Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrahowever, at least considering Azzurri's Black Panther and Nanali in the latest movie trailer's snowy and occupied Paris, France. Regardless, Skydance has made the game's story by limiting it to a specific time frame 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 Skydance's intention after all, and putting its foot down may be a genuine attempt to solidify its vision for Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra without any regard for where the story might be going after the credits roll. It seems odd for a Marvel entity to have no inkling of franchise potential even brainstormed considering how it's a primary staple of popular culture and yet still evolving Marvel 1943 because a standalone game that doesn't depend on future sequels or related spin-offs could give it a level of authenticity that few Marvel endeavors have these days.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra's Natural Next Step May Subvert Its Signature Premise
To give himself such a special setting and specific title, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra declares that it belongs inseparably to WW2. It's hard now to imagine how Skydance could hope to create a series of related games based on this very premise and it's not clear if that's the goal or the intention, but then again, it would be alarming if sequels weren't already in theory. but Skydance chooses to end the story of Marvel 1943. Of course, not every game with a giant IP needs to have its own franchise.
But if any mythology adores and exploits continuity and franchise potential, it's Marvel and something to be wary of when it comes to how small a scale
Rise of Hydra
probably is.
Knowing that Steve Rogers' Captain America is inevitably frozen during World War II and, once thawed, resurrects in the present day, it may be impossible for Skydance to resist the urge to have it as a post-credits scene if nothing else. Doing so would suggest that a sequel could depict the beginning of a possible Avengers game not unlike how the titular MCU film was established and built up incrementally, and it could be a huge mistake if it takes away from what it's intended to do . Marvel 1943 special.
A Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra sequel could create awkward story and gameplay dissonance
The way Skydance structures its ensemble Marvel World War II game is intriguing with four playable characters that all seem like they would be opposites of each other in the game. Meanwhile, a sequel going that route with the Avengers would jeopardize the rarity of Marvel 1943s titular era while compromising 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 may be Avengers affiliates who don't have their own power or iconic gear, but they're far more popular than Gabriel Jones and Nanali, who at least have obscurity on their side to make them narratively compelling characters in Marvel 1943. Skydance will hopefully be watching Rise of Hydra as a standalone game unless it can justify sequels also set in the 1940s – if not, it risks bleeding into the same Marvel homogeneity that lacks an inspired, original take on the mythology.
