A seemingly new type of Shiva is joining Final Fantasy VII Revelation. At the game’s New York Comic Con panel, it was revealed that Critical Role performer Marisha Ray is joining Revelation as “Polydroid Shiva.” It wasn’t explained how, exactly, this pointy version of the series-recurring ice lady summon will fit into Revelation, but in the BTS clip played during the panel, she seemed to be announcing a snowboarding minigame and blamed Vincent for her “situation.”

“Have you any of the faintest idea of the consternation you’ve caused?” Polydroid Shivia says. “Polydroid problems aren’t my purview,” Vincent replies. (Cold, brother!) She then demands him to, “Drop on a board, caped one, and give my slopes a spin. Let us see how you carve!”

Ray stood up from the front row of the panel, but did not join the stage. Moderator Lucy James asked Matt Mercer, the voice of Vincent Valentine and Ray’s real-life husband and Critical Role co-star, what it was like acting alongside Ray and seeing her in the game. “It was amazing, are you kidding me!” Mercer said. “[Shiva] is her favorite summon in the whole series.”

When they realized they were sharing scenes together after Ray was booked, he said they celebrated, but had one hesitation. “Talking to the team, too, it was like, ‘I hope this wasn’t any nepotism scenario,’” Mercer said. “It was like, ‘Oh no, they didn’t know she was your wife.’ I was like, ‘That’s right, you earned that, baby!’”

The hour-long panel was a sendoff for the cast, many of whom have spent nearly seven years recording for these roles. Cody Christian, who voices Cloud, estimated he’d spent “800 hours collectively” in the booth to nail his lines. “Every inflection, every breath, it all matters. We’d spend 10 minutes on 3 words just to make sure it was right,” he said.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation releases on April 8, 2027. Director Naoki Hamaguchi (who was not at the NYCC panel, but thanked fans via prerecorded video message) has said that the game will take more than 100 hours for completionists to beat.

What do you think is the deal with this version of Shiva in Final Fantasy VII Revelation? More importantly, are you excited to shred the slopes in the game?? Hash it out in the comments.

Leanne Butkovic (she/they) is an Editorial Programming Manager at IGN, where they’ve also written about TV, movies, and games.

Share.
Exit mobile version