I can seldom consider a transmedia cross-over extra acceptable than the emergence of Magic: The Gathering X Last Fantasy, an imminent growth 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 growth. That is all a hearty promotional train, nevertheless it virtually isn’t wanted: so keen are the followers and so excellent is that this cross-over conceptually that FF is already the best-selling Magic set in historical past.

However, individuals are thrilled to see the playing cards that’ll be rising from booster packs in June – studying in flip which characters, places, and traditional FF iconography will make the minimize. Seeing this, and myself being one of many individuals excitingly tabbing via reveals regardless of already having pre-orders working into the a whole bunch in place, I’ve realized one factor: regardless 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, broad, and its predilection for throwing all the pieces out and beginning over for every numbered entry implies 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 Last Fantasy 9 is especially well-represented.

A curious paradigm has emerged within the nature of the FF growth, 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 part of the discharge. Commander is a singular MTG format that helps bigger decks, and has shaped a significant a part of most spin-off ‘universes past’ units thus far. However for FF, these 4 decks find yourself feeling unusually inadequate.

With Fallout, as an illustration, 4 commander decks did certainly really feel enough. Two decks channeled Fallout 4 and Fallout 3, providing completely different gameplay types that evoked the themes of every recreation. 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 essentially the most beloved 2D FF, an important 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 growth with unfinished enterprise so far as Last Fantasy goes.

Whereas each different FF is represented within the common boosters and the final set of playing cards, the sprawling nature of Commander Decks implies 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, in fact. That is such a wonderful synergistic match, the cardboard artwork and recreation 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 individuals gained’t be happy with this one growth. Definitely, in case you contemplate 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 growth. And with this primary drop already set to be its best-ever promoting growth 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 thus far, and in addition hoping that the widely maligned 13 and 15 don’t get fully shafted. And I’m wondering how the individuals behind the aggressively-mid FF Buying and selling Card Sport from Sq. Enix should be feeling. These poor guys.