Magic The Gathering Final Fantasy Set Blends Iconic Worlds Seamlessly

Magic: The Gathering’s latest expansion, the Final Fantasy set, represents a landmark collaboration between Wizards of the Coast and Square Enix. This crossover is the culmination of five years of development, aiming to blend the rich lore and gameplay mechanics of both iconic franchises into a single, cohesive experience.

As the first Universes Beyond set to be legal in Magic’s standard constructed format, the Final Fantasy expansion pushes the boundaries of crossover design. It integrates new mechanics inspired by Final Fantasy’s gameplay, such as Job Select, which allows players to create hero tokens and attach equipment reflecting classic Final Fantasy jobs, and Tiered spells that grow stronger with additional mana investment.

The design team faced the challenge of representing 16 mainline Final Fantasy games, balancing fan expectations and gameplay needs. They categorized content into three tiers: evergreen elements like Chocobos and Moogles, iconic references for specific game fans, and deep Easter eggs for superfans. This tiered approach ensured broad appeal while honoring the franchise’s depth.

Narrative elements are woven into gameplay through mechanics like Transform, illustrating character arcs and villainous transformations, and Saga cards that represent iconic Summons such as Bahamut. The set also reimagines popular Magic cards with Final Fantasy-themed artwork, creating a rich visual and thematic connection for players.

This expansion not only appeals to longtime Magic players but also invites Final Fantasy fans into the Magic ecosystem, blending storytelling, strategy, and nostalgia. The collaborative passion between Wizards and Square Enix is evident in the careful design and worldbuilding workshops that shaped the set, ensuring authenticity and excitement.

The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy set releases on June 13, 2025, poised to become one of the most popular and lucrative expansions in the game’s history. It exemplifies how thoughtful crossover design can expand a game’s audience while respecting the integrity of both franchises involved.