I can seldom consider a transmedia cross-over extra applicable than the emergence of Magic: The Gathering X Final Fantasy, an imminent enlargement to the beloved card gathering and battling tabletop title that brings the worlds of Last Fantasy into Magic’s mechanics.
Followers are nonetheless eagerly ready to get their arms on the units, however over the course of the final a number of days Wizards of the Coast has steadily begun revealing an increasing number of of the contents of the enlargement. That is all a hearty promotional train, but it surely virtually isn’t wanted: so keen are the followers and so good is that this cross-over conceptually that FF is already the best-selling Magic set in history.
However, individuals are thrilled to see the playing cards that’ll be rising from booster packs in June – studying in flip which characters, areas, and basic FF iconography will make the reduce. Seeing this, and myself being one of many folks excitingly tabbing by reveals regardless of already having pre-orders operating into the lots of in place, I’ve realized one factor: irrespective of what number of playing cards this set encompasses, it’ll by no means be sufficient. Wizards of the Coast has opened a proverbial Pandora’s Field.
Last Fantasy is wealthy, large, and its predilection for throwing every part out and beginning over for every numbered entry signifies that it’s far too deep to be summarized in only a few hundred playing cards. Already, I can see the discourse shifting amongst followers. Some hope for extra playing cards from 12, or from the much less instantly iconic NES classics. Individuals with love and light-weight of their hearts hope Final Fantasy 9 is especially well-represented.
A curious paradigm has emerged within the nature of the FF enlargement, which is solely put that there are 4 video games which might be significantly well-represented. Last Fantasies 6, 7, 10, and 14 are all featured because the video games driving the 4 ‘Commander Decks’ that make up a significant element of the discharge. Commander is a novel MTG format that helps bigger decks, and has fashioned a significant a part of most spin-off ‘universes past’ units to this point. However for FF, these 4 decks find yourself feeling unusually inadequate.
With Fallout, as an example, 4 commander decks did indeed feel sufficient. Two decks channeled Fallout 4 and Fallout 3, providing totally different gameplay kinds that evoked the themes of every sport. A 3rd was all about New Vegas, and the ultimate set revered the unique two CRPGs. Broadly talking, the entire collection was represented.
Wizards of the Coast has clearly chosen fastidiously for FF. You’ve got probably the most beloved 2D FF, a very powerful 3D FF, and the on-going concern MMO with an enormous fanbase. And 10, which is wildly beloved. I respect it – however I additionally begrudgingly have a look at this launch slate and conclude Wizards of the Coast goes to depart this enlargement with unfinished enterprise so far as Last Fantasy goes.
Whereas each different FF is represented within the basic boosters and the overall set of playing cards, the sprawling nature of Commander Decks signifies that the 4 FFs which have a Commander Deck themed round them naturally have an enormous benefit – their characters, tales, and worlds are much more closely represented than the others.
A part of the issue is of WOTC’s personal making, after all. That is such a superb synergistic match, the cardboard artwork and sport design so fastidiously and splendidly crafted, that followers can’t resist. That is clearly no cash-in, it’s a rattling good product. Individuals need extra good things! Who knew?
However the door is now open – individuals are going to need extra of this. Rabid FF followers are going to need extra of this. These folks received’t be happy with this one enlargement. Actually, when you take into account elevating the illustration stage throughout the numbered collection and fold in a number of spin-offs, there may be ample scope for a second FF enlargement. And with this primary drop already set to be its best-ever promoting enlargement pack, WOTC must be well-minded to ship that, in time.
For now, I await my pre-order and additional card reveals, praying for higher FF9 illustration than we’ve seen to this point, and in addition hoping that the commonly maligned 13 and 15 don’t get utterly shafted. And I ponder how the folks behind the aggressively-mid FF Buying and selling Card Recreation from Sq. Enix should be feeling. These poor guys.