The long-awaited Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY set will soon release on June 13! In anticipation of this exciting event, we're introducing some of the cards in the set – sixteen articles for sixteen mainline games in the series!
The elements we showcase here range from iconic characters to defining moments—aspects that encompass the essence of the FINAL FANTASY franchise.
For our seventh showcase, we’d like to show you two cards from FINAL FANTASY VII.
“Nibelheim Aflame” depicts the former war hero Sephiroth razing the protagonist Cloud Strife's hometown years before the events of the game. Despite Sephiroth’s disappearance shortly after this incident, his presence would continue to affect Cloud’s journey and fate.
Next up is perhaps the most recognizable weapon in FINAL FANTASY VII, now available as a Magic card.
The “Buster Sword” card has two versions: one on its own, and one with Cloud wielding it. Cloud’s mercenary endeavors have him engaging in countless battles, and the iconic buster sword is always there for him through thick and thin. It means a great deal to him, and he is rarely seen without it.
This time, we introduced two versions of two cards each for a total of four! What do you think? We highly recommend trying out FINAL FANTASY VII to learn the truth behind Nibelheim’s destruction and the significance of the buster sword firsthand!
We’ve received some additional comments on today’s cards from Magic: The Gathering’s very own Principle Narrative Game Designer: Dillon Deveney!
Nibelheim Aflame
As a lifelong FINAL FANTASY fan, this scene is burned into my mind. Sephiroth's villainous origin story all begins here in the fires of Nibelheim. Here's a fun detail: This card has the Flashback mechanic, because after all, we see this scene in a flashback! The team constantly found fun ways to tell stories authentically in this set.
Buster Sword
During the phase of development we call "Toplining", we go through the design file and determine what the right creative fit for each card will be. Some card designs are open-ended and could have been anything in FINAL FANTASY, while other cards are top-down and designed to be exactly one character, moment, land, or object. For the Buster Sword, I knew immediately that I wanted this to be the FINAL FANTASY VII intro screen. Booting up the game for the first time and seeing the "NEW GAME" and "Continue?" options in the black void with JUST the Buster Sword stabbed into the ground is beyond iconic. I really wanted this card to invoke that nostalgia. And it also pairs well with the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE start up screen too!
Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY will be available for purchase on June 13. Until then, why not come (re-)familiarize yourself with the world of FINAL FANTASY? If you simply can’t wait, be among the first to play with the collaboration cards via prerelease at authorized retailers come Friday, June 6!
FINAL FANTASY VII
Mako—the discovery of this natural resource drawn directly from the planet’s life force marked the dawn of a new era, and now the energy sustains the lives of people across the world. However, the Shinra Company has monopolized mako production, and in doing so established a powerful hegemony, its influence reaching the far corners of the globe.
Cloud, a former member of Shinra’s military organization, SOLDIER, joins the anti-Shinra resistance group AVALANCHE, despite caring little for their motives. During one of the group’s attempts to stop the company, they learn of the return of Sephiroth, Cloud’s nemesis, and that with his reemergence, the planet is in greater danger than anyone had expected.
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