Fans of Marvel superheroes got an unexpected preview of the upcoming action-adventure game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra this week, as early development footage and screenshots surfaced online. The clips, which show rough gameplay from 2022 or 2023, have sparked excitement and debate among players eager for more details on the World War II-era story featuring Captain America and Black Panther.
The footage, first reported by gaming site MP1st and shared across platforms like Reddit and Twitter, appears to come from a former developer who worked on the project. It focuses on Black Panther, one of the game’s four playable characters, in a chaotic bar fight against Hydra soldiers—Nazi-inspired villains from the Marvel universe.
The clip shows Black Panther leaping and striking with acrobatic moves, using his claws and agility to take down groups of enemies in close-quarters combat.
The camera work looks manual and cinematic, like an internal demo rather than polished gameplay, with some awkward animations and unrefined controls that are common in early builds.
Alongside the video, nearly 20 screenshots leaked, offering a better look at the game’s environments. They depict detailed World War II settings, including dimly lit underground tunnels, lavish hallways, and outdoor scenes with a gritty, historical feel.
The images highlight Black Panther again, showcasing fluid jumps and strikes, but Captain America is notably absent, leading some to speculate this might stem from an earlier prototype focused on the Wakandan hero before the full ensemble cast was added.
The other two playable characters—Wakandan spy Nanali and commando Gabriel Jones—are not featured in the leaks.
Developed by Skydance New Media, founded by filmmaker David Ellison, and led by Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is a narrative-driven game set in an alternate Marvel timeline during World War II.
Players will switch between the heroes to battle Hydra’s rise, blending stealth, combat, and story choices in a single-player experience.
Announced in 2021, the title faced delays and a full engine switch from Unreal to an in-house system, pushing its release to early 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Priced at $69.99 for the base edition, it promises cinematic action inspired by Hennig’s legacy.
Skydance has not commented on the leak, but the timing is intriguing. Rumors swirl of a PlayStation State of Play event on September 25, 2025, where official gameplay could debut, potentially overshadowing the rough footage.
The Game Awards in December is another likely spot for more reveals. Online reactions are mixed: some praise the fluid combat and detailed worlds as signs of potential, while others note the early stage means little can be judged yet.
One Reddit user commented, “It’s raw, but you can see the Uncharted DNA—hoping for that polish by launch.”
This leak arrives amid a wave of Marvel games, including Insomniac’s Spider-Man 3 and Wolverine’s development, but Rise of Hydra stands out for its historical twist and ensemble cast.
As development wraps, these glimpses fuel anticipation for a title that could redefine superhero adventures. Stay tuned for official updates, as Skydance may address the footage soon.
