Square Enix Shuffles a Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

[Tom Goldman]

Square Enix Shuffles a Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

Sephiroth, Cloud, Lightning... I choose you!

The Final Fantasy series is now joining the likes of Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering with an official trading card game of its own. Square Enix and Hobby Japan have announced that the characters from the iconic RPG series will become a lot flatter come early 2011.

Final Fantasy: Trading Card Game has only been advertised for release in Japan as of now, and details on how it will work are light. However, we do know that it'll feature popular Final Fantasy characters such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Zidane, Kefka, Lightning, and Tidus.

On Dissidia's sequel [http://www.square-enix-shop.com/jp/ff-tcg/card.html]. Can you guess the rest based on those silhouettes?

Square Enix says that the TCG's gameplay will be closely tied to the Final Fantasy characters' unique skills and summons. My guess is that you'll plop down a few major characters and battle it out against your opponent's, fighting a turn-based battle until a team's hit points are completely gone. That might seem a little extreme, I know.

Square believes that the cards will become collector's items because they'll feature "larger artwork" than similar trading card games. If it really wants to make some money, all it has to do is make Cloud and Sephiroth super-rare cards, but that'd be cruel beyond measure. Final Fantasy: Trading Card Game will be released in Japan on February 25, 2011.

Source: Andriasang [http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/11/30/ff_tcg/]

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[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I don't play many card games outside of poker...

Tempting though. Damn my collector ways... I want a Yuna card D:

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

OH GOD! I want this so bad.

I like TCGs, but only in video game form, since buying one game gets you infinite decks. Without costing a ton of money.

And since it's Square, they'd probably do a TCG game for the PSP or something.

I'd still buy Vivi cards, though. Because honestly, who doesn't love Vivi?

 

[Amnestic]

After Triple Triad and Tetra Master this was only a matter of time. Hell, I'm surprised it took this long.

Actually, I vaguely recall my brother playing an online version of Triple Triad.

But yeah, totally unsurprised, probably will be on the same level as the WoW TCG (i.e. not as good as Magic), might buy a few packs just to test it out and see how it plays but I'm not expecting any great things from it.

 

[Leonhart321]

*Insert fan-girlish squee here*
Want this. Especially as someone who both enjoys Square-Enix RPGs and CCGs

Though will they stick purely to FF? Cause Chrono Trigger, Crono Cross and Kingdom Hearts could readily be incorporated into this.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

YAY!! Something else I get to import!!!

After Triple Triad and Tetra Master this was only a matter of time. Hell, I'm surprised it took this long.

Actually, I vaguely recall my brother playing an online version of Triple Triad.

I'm surprised they didn't do Triple Triad or, Tetra Master first but for all I know they likely did and kept it on the island. Here's to hoping there is a Summon Cactar!

Also: when it comes to rare cards I'm thinking the Weapons from FFVII and, Ultros will be smong the rare. Excalibur II is likely to be rare as well...and the Ragtime Mouse...

EDIT: I just checked the actual TCG page. I see Lightning (bottom right), and I think that's Amarant from FFIX next to Aeris and Yuna. The one on the far left looks like the FFV character you got in Dissidia...can't remember her name...his name...whatever. As for the one in the top right...I think Kain but could be wrong. I sense FFIV though. Definitely Lightning though, in the bottom right.

 

[Leonhart321]

EDIT: I just checked the actual TCG page. I see Lightning (bottom right), and I think that's Amarant from FFIX next to Aeris and Yuna. The one on the far left looks like the FFV character you got in Dissidia...can't remember her name...his name...whatever. As for the one in the top right...I think Kain but could be wrong. I sense FFIV though. Definitely Lightning though, in the bottom right.

Far left I don't recognise, but from Left to Right, I recognise Aeris, Ifrit, Yuna, Someone else I don't recognise and Lightning.

And on the subject of rarities, Summons will probably be high up on the rarity scale as well

 

[Syntax Error]

Square Enix says that the TCG's gameplay will be closely tied to the Final Fantasy characters' unique skills and summons. My guess is that you'll plop down a few major characters and battle it out against your opponent's, fighting a turn-based battle until a team's hit points are completely gone. That might seem a little extreme, I know.

Square believes that the cards will become collector's items because they'll feature "larger artwork" than similar trading card games. If it really wants to make some money, all it has to do is make Cloud and Sephiroth super-rare cards, but that'd be cruel beyond measure. Final Fantasy: Trading Card Game will be released in Japan on February 25, 2011.

Point A: That's actually just Magic: The Gathering, in a nutshell.

Point B: Don't give them ideas...

 

[BlueHighwind]

Considering I didn't like Triple Triad from FFVIII or Magicite Master from FFIX, I really doubt I'll like this.

 

[Jman1236]

God please let it be real life terra master.

 

[-Seraph-]

Heard about this yesterday, left me somewhat surprised. Be kinda cool having an FF based card game with the vast amount of characters, monsters, summons, and weapons throughout the entire franchise. I'd be interested in checking it out if they are released outside of japan and whatnot.

I've seen sample cards of Lightning, Yuna, Tidus, and Rikku on anoher site which are just their CG renders unfortunately. I kinda wish if they are going through with this, they'd have a unified art style like Dissidias. The Dissidia art style with its pronounced lines, vibrant colors, and just distinct image really lend itself well to Final Fantasy and seeing all the FF characters drawn up like that would be great. Although that would keep Nomura busy for a long time.

As for gameplay, maybe they'll take some ideas from Dissidia itself and make the Brave system part of the combat mechanic. It would be easy to do and the brave swapping mechanics works just as fine as the stuff you see in other card games. But that's just speculation on my part, but also a very logical move for them.

Hey Square, how bout releasing all the Dissidia characters cards in you super special edition as one of the added goodies. Be a nice promotion and collector cards are always fun to get.

 

[Infernai]

...It disappoints me that nobody has posted this yet:

 

[Asuka Soryu]

Man, what doesn't have a card game...?

Bleach
Yu Yu Hakusho
Naruto
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z (different company)
Harry Potter
Twilight has a card game.
Zelda has a card game.

and many others.

 

[RandallJohn]

I'm not getting my hopes up until they announce a U.S. release date. Layton-kyōju VS Gyakuten Saiban is too fresh in my mind.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Bad square enix, all the time you spent on this could have been used to make a good final fantasy

*square enix poops out FFXIII*

EWWWW look what you've done now, all over the new white carpet. Go on, outside!

 

[Asuka Soryu]

...It disappoints me that nobody has posted this yet:

I have to admit, the thought of owning Sephiroth as a spell card does intrigue me.