Review
The first map to hit Marvel Rivals’ second season was not just a fitting addition and theme for the game, but a great way to set up future characters for the shooter. However, choosing Krakoa as the game’s map may have some unsettling implications for players fighting a bit recklessly around the island. Marvel Rivals has proven its dedication to its source material, and as this remains consistent with Krakoa itself, players unfamiliar with the comics may find the new map to be a bit cursed.
Season 2 of Marvel Rivals initially added Emma Frost and the new Krakoa map. Ultron will seemingly be added in Season 2.5 of the shooter along with another Krakoa map. The island is incredibly important, particularly in storylines surrounding the X-Men and mutants as it is a country specifically dedicated to mutantkind. It is also where Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company host the Hellfire Gala each year.
Krakoa's Lore in Marvel Rivals
Often referenced in dialogue lines and written out in various pieces of Marvel Rivals lore, Krakoa is a living island. This is, once again, accurate to the comics, where Krakoa is a living island that was once part of a sentient landmass known as Okkara. Krakoa wasn’t the only landmass that split from Okkara; its other half, Arrakko, is yet another sentient island that is also allied with mutantkind, at least in Marvel Rivals lore.
Krakoa itself views mutantkind as its own, allowing them to use its various Gateways, a type of flower on the island that works as a living portal. By planting one flower from a pair of twins at a specific location, mutants can instantly travel between locations. Though this feature is unconfirmed, a Gateway system on Marvel Rivals’ next map could be a fun addition, if the map is confirmed to be based on Krakoa once again. The flowers of Krakoa are important in Marvel Rivals lore in a non-transportation way too, with extract from the flowers used to produce life-saving medicines.
Krakoa is a Sentient Island
But the living island aspect of Krakoa may make some players feel uneasy playing on the map if they consider the implications for a bit too long. Players that miss their headshots and shoot at a branch are technically injuring the island itself, hurting the very map that is hosting them. Things get even more complicated if gamers are playing as one of Marvel Rivals’ many mutants, considering Krakoa’s status as a mutant safe haven.
Playing as Mantis and Groot also leads to similar complications. As confirmed in the description of her Flora Maiden costume, Krakoa instantly responds to Mantis’ presence as she sets foot onto the island, physically draping plants onto her to create the skin itself. Groot and Krakoa also share a bond, as both are made up of plant matter and could probably speak with each other. Unfortunately, players will likely never discover if this headcanon is true, considering that Groot typically only says the same three words, except for a voiceline with Emma Frost.
Of course, the fact that Krakoa is technically a living, breathing entity may encourage players to take their anger out on the map itself rather than feel a bit disturbed walking on the living island. Nevertheless, Krakoa has solidified itself as one of the most important locations for not just the X-Men, but mutantkind, in both numerous Marvel Comics storylines and Marvel Rivals.
