Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy is looking like one of the stand out sets of Magic releasing this year

by

Over the last few days, Wizards of the Coast has been gradually unveiling details about the first Universes Beyond release for Magic: The Gathering in 2025, which will feature Final Fantasy. This started with a significant reveal on IGN of the four Commander preconstructed decks, followed by a new Weekly MTG stream displaying sneak peeks at other cards that players can anticipate. As someone who is well-versed in both Final Fantasy and Magic, everything I’ve seen thus far has been captivating and only serves to increase my enthusiasm—an accomplishment I didn’t believe was feasible. However, the magical minds at Wizards of the Coast have managed to pull it off.

Initially unveiled on IGN, an interview with the lead designer, Daniel Holt, showcases that each of the four preconstructed decks centers around a distinct iconic character from Square’s enduring franchise. The game’s protagonist serves as the commander for these decks: ‘Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER’ (Red, Green, White) representing Final Fantasy VII, ‘Terra, Herald of Hope’ (Red, White, Black) for Final Fantasy VI, ‘Tidus, Yuna’s Guardian’ (Green, White, Blue) for Final Fantasy X, and lastly, ‘Y’shtola, Night’s Blessed’ (White, Blue, Black) representing the critically acclaimed MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV. This game offers a free trial that allows players to explore the entirety of A Realm Reborn and the award-winning Stormblood expansion up to level 70 without any restrictions on playtime. Each character features distinctive abilities or mechanics that accurately portray their in-game persona; for example, Tidus can distribute various counters to other creatures as if they were blitzballs, while Cloud benefits from using the largest swords (or other equipment), allowing you to draw more cards with extra bonuses if his strength exceeds six. Impressive—definitely impressive!




























As a devoted fan, it’s my perspective that Wizards might be missing an opportunity by focusing solely on game heroes for their deck choices, neglecting the equally captivating villains. Although we’ve had glimpses of infamous characters like Sephiroth, Kefka, and Emet-Selch transformed into cardboard through the initial art reveal and the subsequent Weekly MTG trailer, the lack of a villain-centric deck is disheartening. Considering the inventiveness that Wizards has demonstrated with the current commanders, I can’t help but wonder what fascinating decks they could create if they ventured into the realm of villains as well.

The initial trailer for the new set hasn’t just hinted at Commander decks; it’s also given fans a sneak peek of exciting new elements, such as cards boasting innovative mechanics and a novel card type called Summons. After watching the clip several times, I’m convinced that this Universes Beyond release could be the strongest yet. Moreover, I think the Wizards team has done an exceptional job, crafting cards that embody the essence of Final Fantasy. The Summon cards and the potential standout favorite in the set, the Jumbo Cactuar, are clear demonstrations of this.

Summons have been a significant element in the Final Fantasy series since its inception on the Famicom, debuting in Final Fantasy III. These powerful elemental beings would manifest upon summoning, inflict heavy damage, and then vanish from battle. As the series progressed, they were given more depth, staying on the field longer, participating in major events, and occasionally being controlled by players. Wizards has reimagined and revamped their Saga enchantments, spells that last for a set number of turns before disappearing, to create unique Saga Creatures. This new card type merges the characteristics of a traditional creature card with the time-limited nature of a Saga countdown, thus embodying the essence of a Final Fantasy Summon within the Magic universe – a powerful entity that departs once its role is completed. It’ll be intriguing to observe how Wizards makes use of this new creature type in future expansions.

Without a doubt, the Jumbo Cactuar from Final Fantasy 8 steals the limelight, despite being somewhat underappreciated. This imposing figure, depicted alongside characters Irvine and Rinoa, enters the battlefield as a 1/7 power and toughness creature requiring 2 Green and 5 generic mana to summon. The humor lies in its ability to boast an impressive 10,000 power thanks to its ‘10,000 Needles’ skill, which temporarily boosts its attack power by 9,999 whenever it attacks until the end of that turn. It’s amusing to think Wizards approved a creature with such high power. Coupled with cards that allow players to gain life equivalent to a creature’s power or trigger effects upon sacrificing a creature, this card is bound to create unforgettable moments in the upcoming year. My affection for this card runs deep not only because of its powerful effect but also as a testament to the designers’ dedication to embodying Final Fantasy within Magic: The Gathering.

Ranging from Tonberries to baby Chocobos, from Garland and Chaos to Cecil Harvey, this small sneak peek offers a wealth of excitement. Everything unveiled thus far has me eagerly anticipating the release. Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy is yet to be launched on June 13, with Tarkir: Dragonstorm set to arrive first. This means there will be more tantalizing reveals in the upcoming months. But if you can’t wait, you can secure your own boxes and decks right now over on Amazon.

 

Read More

2025-02-20 03:56