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A significant part of the charm found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* comes from the manner numerous cards narrate iconic narratives. Consider the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a portrait of the character at the very start of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned sports star whose key technique is a specialized shot that pushes a defender aside. The card's mechanics reflect this perfectly. This type of flavor is prevalent in the entire Final Fantasy set, and not all lighthearted tales. A number are somber callbacks of tragedies fans continue to reflect on years after.

"Powerful tales are a central part of the Final Fantasy series," noted a principal designer involved with the project. "They created some general rules, but ultimately, it was primarily on a card-by-card level."

Though the Zack Fair isn't a competitive powerhouse, it stands as one of the release's most clever examples of storytelling by way of gameplay. It masterfully echoes one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most crucial cinematic moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the set's core gameplay elements. And even if it avoids revealing anything, those acquainted with the saga will quickly recognize the meaning embedded in it.

The Mechanics: Story Through Gameplay

At a cost of one white mana (the hue of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base power and toughness of 0/1 but comes into play with a +1/+1 marker. For the cost of one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to give another ally you control indestructible and put all of Zack’s markers, plus an gear, onto that other creature.

This design portrays a sequence FF fans are all too familiar with, a moment that has been reimagined throughout the years — in the classic *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits with equal force here, conveyed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack sacrifices himself to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Moment

A bit of history, and consider this your *FF7* spoiler alert: Prior to the primary events of the game, Zack and Cloud are left for dead after a clash with Sephiroth. Following extended imprisonment, the duo break free. During their ordeal, Cloud is comatose, but Zack ensures to protect his friend. They eventually arrive at the outskirts outside Midgar before Zack is fatally wounded by Shinra soldiers. Abandoned, Cloud subsequently grabs Zack’s Buster Sword and takes on the role of a elite SOLDIER, which leads right into the start of *FF7*.

Simulating the Moment on the Battlefield

In a game, the card mechanics essentially let you recreate this entire event. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of armament in the set that costs three mana and grants the equipped creature +3/+2. Therefore, using six mana, you can turn Zack into a solid 4/6 while the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud, Midgar Mercenary also has clear combo potential with the Buster Sword, allowing you to look through your library for an weapon card. In combination, these pieces play out like this: You play Zack, and he gains the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to retrieve the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you summon and give it to Zack.

Owing to the design Zack’s key mechanic is structured, you can technically use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and activate it to negate the attack altogether. This allows you to perform this action at any time, passing the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He subsequently becomes a powerful 6/4 that, every time he does damage a player, lets you draw two cards and play two cards for free. This is precisely the kind of interaction meant when discussing “flavorful design” — not explaining the scene, but letting the card design evoke the memory.

Extending Past the Main Interaction

However, the flavor here is deeply satisfying, and it reaches further than just Zack and Cloud. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the collection as a creature that, at the start of combat, puts a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which also becomes a Mutant. This in a way implies that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, in a way, the SOLDIER treatment he underwent, which included experimentation with Jenova cells. This is a small connection, but one that cleverly links the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter theme in the set.

The card does not depict his death, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the memorable bluff where it concludes. It isn't necessary. *Magic* enables you to relive the moment yourself. You choose the ultimate play. You hand over the legacy on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a card battle, you remember why *Final Fantasy 7* remains the most beloved game in the series to date.