Closing Fantasy is wanting like one of many stand out units of Magic: The Gathering releasing this yr

Over the previous couple of days, Wizards of the Coast has begun pulling again the curtains on 2025’s first Universes Past launch for Magic: The Gathering that includes Closing Fantasy, starting with a big reveal on IGN of the 4 Commander preconstructed decks, adopted the following day by a brand new Weekly MTG stream showcasing further spoilers for different playing cards that gamers can stay up for. As somebody deeply accustomed to each Closing Fantasy and Magic, the whole lot I’ve seen to date has impressed me and made me much more excited—an achievement I truthfully didn’t assume was doable. However the wizards at Wizards of the Coast (pun supposed) have executed it.

First revealed on IGN, together with an interview that includes the set’s lead designer, Daniel Holt, every of the 4 precon decks focuses on a unique memorable entry from Sq.’s long-running franchise, with that sport’s respective hero serving because the deck’s commander. These decks embody ‘Cloud, Ex-SOLDIER’ (Pink, Inexperienced, White) for FF7, FF6’s ‘Terra, Herald of Hope’ (Pink, White, Black), ‘Tidus, Yuna’s Guardian’ (Inexperienced, White, Blue) on behalf of FFX, and, lastly, ‘Y’shtola, Night time’s Blessed’ (White, Blue, Black) representing FF14—the critically acclaimed MMORPG with an expanded free trial, permitting gamers to expertise the whole lot of A Realm Reborn and the award-winning Stormblood enlargement as much as degree 70 totally free with no restrictions on playtime.

Every character has distinctive talents or mechanics that I discover to be on level in representing who they’re within the video games, similar to Tidus with the ability to go round varied counters to different creatures you management as if they had been blitzballs or Cloud eager to be geared up with the most important swords (or different tools) you’ve received, letting you draw extra playing cards with further bonuses if his energy is seven or larger. Intelligent—very intelligent.

Maybe my solely critique of Wizards’ selection of decks is that they focus completely on the heroes of the video games, with a definite lack of illustration of the sequence’ equally memorable villains. Whereas we already know that foes similar to Sephiroth, Kefka, and Emet-Selch have been was cardboard, due to each the preliminary artwork reveal and the next trailer launched as a part of the newest Weekly MTG, the absence of even a single villain-focused deck is disappointing. With as a lot creativity as Wizards has managed with the present commanders, I’d have liked to see what they might have concocted with a baddie-focused choice as nicely.

It isn’t simply the Commander decks that followers have been teased with as Wizards launched the primary trailer for the set, showcasing playing cards that includes brand-new mechanics and even an entire new card kind—Summons. After watching the trailer just a few dozen occasions, I really feel assured that this would be the strongest Universes Past providing to date. I additionally consider the group at Wizards has actually nailed it, creating playing cards that really feel like Closing Fantasy. Two great examples of this may be the beforehand talked about Summon playing cards and a card that has the potential to turn into my favourite in your complete set—the Jumbo Cactuar.

Summons have been a staple in Closing Fantasy because the early days on the Famicom, first being launched in Closing Fantasy III. These creatures of elemental energy would seem when known as, dish out heavy harm, after which disappear from fight. Later entries fleshed them out additional, permitting them to stay round longer, be used for big set-piece occasions, and, on uncommon events, be manually managed by the participant. Wizards has tailored and altered their Saga-type enchantments—spells that persist for a set variety of turns, bestowing completely different results every flip earlier than disappearing—to create brand-new Saga Creatures. This new kind of card combines a standard creature card with the ticking clock of a Saga countdown, ensuing within the excellent illustration of a Closing Fantasy Summon within the Magic ecosystem—a creature that’s highly effective however departs as soon as its function is fulfilled. It will likely be thrilling to see how Wizards makes use of this new kind of creature going ahead in future units.

However the true star of the present must be the large mustache itself, hailing from the criminally underrated Closing Fantasy 8—the Jumbo Cactuar. This imply machine, with art work that includes not solely the creature itself but additionally Irvine and Rinoa, is available in as a 1/7 energy and toughness creature, costing 2 Inexperienced and 5 generic mana. This lumbering cactus comes full with its signature ‘10,000 Needles’ skill from the sport, which grants it a further 9,999 assault energy at any time when it assaults till the tip of that flip. The truth that Wizards went by means of with permitting a creature to naturally have 10,000 energy is hilarious. Paired with playing cards that allow a participant achieve life equal to a creature’s energy, amongst different results triggered by sacrificing a creature, this card will little question result in superb moments within the yr to return.

I really like this card with my entire coronary heart and soul, each for its impact and for what it represents—the care the designers have taken to seize the essence of Closing Fantasy inside Magic: The Gathering.

From Tonberries to Chocobo chicks, from Garland and Chaos to Cecil Harvey, there was loads to see on this small sampling from the set. All the pieces proven to date has me thrilled. There’s nonetheless a while but earlier than Universes Past: Closing Fantasy releases on June 13, with one other set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, popping out first, so followers can anticipate extra reveals within the coming months. Nevertheless, gamers can reserve their very own containers and decks now over on Amazon.