Marvel Games is looking ahead to a banner year. Fans have a lot to look forward to, with EA working on games featuring Iron Man and Black Panther, Arkane Lyon tackling Marvel’s Blade, and Insomniac continuing their development of Marvel’s Wolverine. Yet, the showstopper that’s likely to steal the spotlight first is Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Initially introduced in September 2022 under the mantle of the Skydance Marvel Project, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra acquired its official name and an exciting story trailer earlier this year. Recently, a bit more was unveiled about this highly anticipated 2025 release in an Entertainment Weekly interview with the acclaimed writer Amy Hennig. Among the intriguing revelations is the addition of Howard Stark (the father of Iron Man/Tony Stark), who is set to have a significant presence rather than just a fleeting cameo.
Fans are eager to see Howard Stark take center stage in Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Howard Stark: A Notable Figure in WW2
Set against the dramatic backdrop of World War II, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is a title brimming with potential. While Howard Stark’s comic book journey largely unfolds in the 1950s, his wartime exploits are noteworthy. One of his most famous roles connects him to the creation of Captain America. Although Captain America’s origins have been retold numerous times, Howard Stark often stands alongside Dr. Abraham Erskine during the super-soldier’s pivotal transformation.
In some stories, Stark was also a key figure in the Manhattan Project. This involvement led to Howard and his wife Maria being captured by the nefarious Hydra leader, Red Skull, who attempted to force Stark into developing atomic weapons. They were eventually rescued by Captain America and the Howling Commandos.
Another intriguing storyline from the WWII era portrays Howard Stark crafting a formidable robot named Arsenal as a contingency plan, should the war take a grim turn for the Allies. While the Allies emerged victorious and Arsenal was shelved, the robot’s AI, Mistress, lay dormant until reviving in contemporary times, mistaking the Avengers for foes and engaging them in battle.
Howard Stark Deserves More Recognition
Have you noticed that Howard Stark has made several appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Dominic Cooper brought the younger version to life in Captain America: The First Avenger and Agent Carter, while John Slattery took on the older version in movies like Iron Man 2, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Though these appearances have been quite memorable, Stark remains somewhat of an enigma to many MCU fans. An opportunity to delve deeper into his character seems ripe for the taking with Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. The game offers the chance to shine the spotlight on Stark, elevating him from a cameo role to a main character status.
In the game, Howard could play a crucial role in the storyline and have a tangible impact on gameplay. Given Stark’s identity as an inventor, it would make complete sense for him to be behind any enhancements or upgrades Captain America might utilize throughout their campaign against Hydra.
In this thrilling narrative, the worlds of Captain America and the 1940s Black Panther, Azzuri, collide amidst wartime turmoil. Despite their differences, they must forge an uneasy alliance to confront a shared adversary. Together with Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Nanali, a Wakandan spy deep in Occupied Paris, they must thwart a shadowy conspiracy threatening to turn World War II’s chaos into Hydra’s ultimate uprising.
Set for release in 2025 on systems like PlayStation and Xbox, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is being developed and published by Skydance New Media, using the powerful Unreal Engine 5. This promises a gripping adventure, perfect for those eager to venture deeper into the Marvel universe. Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or love historic fiction blended with superhero action, there’s plenty to be excited about.
