Final Fantasy VII Revelation Adds Marisha Ray as Polydroid Shiva

What if Shiva wasn't just an ice summon you call into battle, but a full-blown NPC with a snowboarding minigame and a bone to pick with Vincent Valentine? That's exactly what Final Fantasy VII Revelation is cooking, and it's wilder than you'd expect.

At the game's New York Comic Con panel, it was revealed that Critical Role performer Marisha Ray is joining Revelation as "Polydroid Shiva." How this pointy, robotic take on the series-recurring ice lady fits into the story wasn't explained, but a behind-the-scenes clip played during the panel gave us a taste. In it, Polydroid Shiva appears to be announcing a snowboarding minigame, and she's not happy with Vincent. "Have you any of the faintest idea of the consternation you've caused?" she asks him. Vincent's reply? "Polydroid problems aren't my purview." Cold, brother. She then challenges him: "Drop on a board, caped one, and give my slopes a spin. Let us see how you carve!"

Ray was actually in the front row at the panel, though she didn't hop on stage. Moderator Lucy James turned to Matt Mercer, the voice of Vincent Valentine and Ray's real-life husband and Critical Role co-star, about sharing scenes with her. "It was amazing, are you kidding me!" Mercer said, adding that Shiva is Ray's favorite summon in the whole series. When they found out they'd be sharing scenes after Ray was booked, they celebrated, but Mercer had one worry. "Talking to the team, too, it was like, 'I hope this wasn't any nepotism scenario,'" he 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 doubled as a sendoff for the cast, many of whom have spent nearly seven years recording their roles. Cody Christian, who voices Cloud, estimated he'd logged "800 hours collectively" in the booth. "Every inflection, every breath, it all matters," he said. "We'd spend 10 minutes on 3 words just to make sure it was right." That's the kind of dedication that makes you appreciate every line.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation launches on April 8, 2027. Director Naoki Hamaguchi wasn't at the panel, but thanked fans in a prerecorded video message. He's previously said the game will take completionists more than 100 hours to beat, so clear your calendar.

So what's the deal with Polydroid Shiva? Is she a one-off minigame host, or does she play a bigger role in Vincent's story? Either way, the idea of shredding slopes with a robotic ice summon is exactly the kind of weird, wonderful side content Final Fantasy VII fans live for.

What do you think of this version of Shiva? Will you be picking up Revelation when it drops next April? Sound off in the comments!