As details surface about Marvel Rivals, the hero-shooter in the works, players are piecing together its visual and gameplay elements. Recent updates unveiled the Yggsgard map, a fusion of Asgard and Yggdrasil born from a Loki-induced Timestream Entanglement. While much remains under wraps, hints suggest that a prominent Marvel locale is primed for inclusion as a map in the game.
In addition to Yggsgard, Tokyo 2099 is expected to emerge as another Marvel Rivals map. This nod could signal the arrival of Spider-Man 2099 as a playable character in the future. However, with Black Panther featured prominently in Marvel Rivals' promotional material, the likelihood of a Wakanda map being on the horizon is high, considering the rich source material the location offers.
A Potential Wakanda Map for Marvel Rivals
Among Marvel's vast array of settings suitable for adaptation into a Marvel Rivals map, Wakanda stands out as a prime candidate. The fictional African nation, home to the precious Vibranium, showcases a blend of cutting-edge technology and secrecy. This duality, juxtaposing the advanced reality of Wakanda with its outward facade, presents a compelling design opportunity for a map.
A Wakanda map aligns well with Marvel Rivals' ethos and draws inspiration from Overwatch 2's Numbani map. Numbani, a harmonious city where humans and omnics coexist, mirrors Wakanda's utopian vision. Given Marvel Rivals' thematic parallels with Overwatch 2, a Wakanda map could follow a similar blueprint while infusing its distinct characteristics.
Imagining a Wakanda Map in Marvel Rivals
As Wakanda encompasses an entire nation within the Marvel universe, a Marvel Rivals map inspired by it might focus on a specific region, with the capital city of Birnin Zana emerging as a likely choice. Similar to Overwatch 2's Numbani, the Wakanda map could involve escorting valuable payloads like Vibranium or the Mind Stone, akin to the Avengers: Infinity War, through the streets of Birnin Zana.
To set itself apart from Numbani, the Wakanda map could feature segments outside the barrier concealing Wakanda's true nature, allowing players to transition into the heart of Birnin Zana. This dynamic shift from a rural savanna to a futuristic metropolis would echo Marvel Rivals' Yggsgard map's fusion of Asgard and Yggdrasil, offering a flavorful tribute to Wakanda's iconic essence.