Ben Starr & Matt Mercer | Square Enix Party Chat

Welcome to Square Enix Party Chat, bringing together some of the talent behind our beloved games.
Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI) and Matt Mercer (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth) sit down to discuss their respective characters Clive & Vincent, video games, their careers in gaming and more.
Final Fantasy XVI is available now on PC and PS5.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is available now on PS5.
#FF7R #FF16 #SquareEnix

[@SlayerSeraph]

1 hour of Clive and Vincent chilling and talking? By the Flames, count me in!

[@SlayerSeraph]

5:25 "Then I finally beat Ifrit in the cave..." Still unbelievable that Ben's transformative and revelatory moment was such a symbolic one - meeting and overcoming Ifrit in FF8 - fast forward later into Accept the Truth L3 + R3 in FF16 as Clive Rosefield

[@danielcook7975]

@SlayerSeraph hence why I am gonna watch this lol

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@Takodate]

They go on a date!

[@SlayerSeraph]

@@Takodate Game: you can go on a date in the market with Jill or Tanja ... Clive: *brooding voice* "I pick Vincent Valentine"

[@lewisburridge2331]

I want Ben on Critical Role or Matt on Natural Six. Honestly, anything to get more of both of these two on screen together.

[@KHitsuga]

This, 1000% this

[@astromechas]

Or both of them together on Dimension 20. Throw some Brennan Lee Mulligan in there for the chaos.

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@Kingdom850]

I feel like this video is definitely leading to one of those two options, or both!

[@ChrisPyre]

@@astromechasThis is all I could about the entire video.

[@asuna07neros]

*Later that day* Vincent: "How about a game of Queen's Blood, Clive?"

[@ferdk16]

The FF community is very lucky to have such talented people voice their characters and not only doing it with professionalism but also genuine passion for what the franchise means, as fans themselves. What a lovely chat, really resonated with Matt when he was talking about the FF7 weird playthroughs trying all the internet myths on how to [reverse that one spoiler], like he said they were all BS but they served as an excuse to run the game again and you didn't even mind that they were lies, just happy to play again and again.

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@Gio-ym4uj]

Square, please for the love of GOD, MAKE A NEW DISSIDIA! I NEED TO HEAR CLIVE AND VINCENT BANTERS! :DD

[@Ch0c0b0]

New dissidia been living rent free in my head for years… cast: Clive Vincent Vivi Auron Fran Celes Faris MAKE IT HAPPEN SQUARE COME ON!

[@MikeAruba69]

Yeah, I wanted a proper Dissidia sequel like Duodecim. Not a PvP arcade port or an F2P mobile game. 😮‍💨 The Theathrythm series was sick, though! 👍

[@fancycactus234]

No more PVP focused bull. Dissidia was great for the story, adventure mode, getting to see the characters interact, doing challenges. It honestly does not need multiplayer at all. Because when they focus on multiplayer it overshadows everything and ruins it.

[@gexiaoli3943]

Yeah, let's go!❤‍🔥

[@fangkingagito1]

Yessss. Make it like duodecim

[@WaltherFeng]

Ben saying Clive would ask Vincent's friends what he likes is absolutely spot on. It would be a sidequest in FF16.

[@deathbygigglz]

This is the Actors on Actors we deserved!!! 🙌 Variety, takes notes. 😤

[@unicornburger16]

Hey now, that Hayden Christiansen/Diego Luna one was great.

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@Manuelomar2001]

@@ms.pirate Same. I know the weird reaction noises the JP voiceover has are japanese acting/storytelling conventions, expected by Japanese audiences. That doesn't make them less annoying for me to listen to.

[@andreseh87]

@@ms.piratethey got rid of the anime grunts too!

[@Espinoff90]

Ben and Matt just nerding out in their conversations is just so epic to watch! Their journey on how they got the roles is amazing to hear as well!

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect!

[@rikku343]

ben starr going "~oh no~" playing on repeat in my head

[@barelystephen]

Huge props to square to continue to hire people like this! Magic always happens anytime people working on something truly love and cherish it.. Absolutely perfect casting.

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@Gladissims]

​@@ms.pirate why are you writing the same comment over and over again, on things that are barely related, no less???

[@Ragnarok182]

​@@Gladissims​ it is most likely a spam bot, just report them and pray something gets done about it.

[@kyurei4478]

Or when people have a genuine passion for bringing something players will like so they learn and work their hardest to make it great. But it is more rare. Can usually be the case for composers who just try to provide a good piece of music and to understand the world they work with for example.

[@Archmimic]

The way he got Vincent's role is AMAZING thats hilarious and crazy

[@Archmimic]

WHAT IS THIS DATE SCENARIO?!!! 😂

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect

[@elfsong713]

They went to so much effort to prank him! 😮😆

[@ignistenebris3751]

BEN STARR HAS TO BE ON CRITICAL ROLE I don't care how, I don't care when, he HAS to be on the show. He's already shown his skills and expertise on Natural Six, he deserves to sit on that table along with all of the other Natural Six members. Vice versa applies to Matt and any of the other CR members on appearing in Natural Six as well!

[@milamiluna5974]

Natural Six actually has a huge collaboration project, it's called the "Deck of many Friends". I assume they will all guest at one point and Matt is on there, as well as Neil Newbon, Robbie Daymond, Anjali Bihmani, Abubakar Salim (loved him so much in Downfall omg), Rahul Kohli and many many more!

[@ignistenebris3751]

@@milamiluna5974 oh don’t worry I already know a lot of the cast in the deck. I just want Ben in an episode of CR or maybe even a one shot alongside the rest of the cast. Thanks for the comment tho :)

[@elfsong713]

Now I want to see that date with Clive and Vincent animated! 😂❤

[@TomKloseMusic]

So I'm fairly sure I'm straight, but listening to these two incredibly deep manly voices for an hour...

[@MissPoplarLeaf]

Hey, you have great taste! Both of these guys seem to be a catch

[@LukeGarou]

I'm sorry, but YOU HURT ME BEN. YOU AND THE WHOLE FF16 TEAM. I STAYED UP UNTIL 1AM CRYING THE NIGHT I FINISHED THAT GAME. DAMN YOU (I love you).

[@elfsong713]

Same! 😭😭

[@nikocloud821]

Ben hits it out the park, makes me want to do another playthrough

[@trinityx3o522]

Maybe him playing as Arthur won't be as emotionally devastating, do look out for the 1999 expansion of Warframe

[@LukeGarou]

@@trinityx3o522 I dunno, when the Warframe narrative hits it really hits.

[@michelle7865]

I'm still salty and hurting from that ending, too.

[@jaron95]

Well that was an hour delightfully spent while idling in Shirogane. 😌

[@rtqpcrxn]

I'm fish farming in the diadem. ❤

[@skipperdani]

Matt: “We don’t talk naturally perfectly. We stumble.” Thank you for saying so, Mr. “Shiver and quiff”. 😅

[@marneus90]

"Shiver and queef?!"

[@proxy12356]

And oh, do we have a list... "It has begin!" "Aowrohrah!" (Matt trying and somhow failing to pronounce "Aurora") And let's not forget his most recent: "Spread your legs..."

[@kaito17]

To clarify, it's one of many famous lines from matt during the critical role campaigns. You can look it up ​@marneus90

[@LetsWinWithTim]

They could not have cast a better Vincent. So heartwarming to see him gushing about the franchise and what it means to him.

[@SoSakashii]

I love the later part where they just talk about Vincent Clive dating and their smell 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@evilsephiroth21]

Ooooh im expecting alot of fanartist to whip up that Vincent x Clive Dating scene, hahaha

[@synacky1911]

Clive and Vincent, both of them wear red and black... coincidence ?!👀👀

[@Phantomyre]

And being harbingers of 'chaotic' creatures

[@EttrrA]

them describing how vincent and clive would go on a date is comedy lmao

[@thedude3065]

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

[@valkyrie_wyvern]

Ben is so adorable and the best VA for Clive Rosfield. He is truly amazing!

[@filipebarbato4563]

Bring Final Fantasy Tactics to Nintendo Switch please!!!!!!

[@itsregal]

Oh Matt i knew you had taste. BREATH OF FIRE MENTION!!!!

[@Gio-ym4uj]

Look guys! It's Dad and Dad! :D

[@jnm92]

My first real game ever was FF8 as well but I'm a Dutch kid that barely spoke English and couldn't figure out how to progress at all.. I would just do Ifrit over and over and over. Kill Ifrit, delete save, go again. I was content.

[@Klenemeene]

Amazing! I also couldn't get through the game the first time I played it, but loved it. I actually played it again 2 years ago at age 32 and used all the info there is and the game was a breeze XD

[@jnm92]

@@Klenemeene I tried progressing again a like a year after my Ifrit adventures and got alot further but there was still so much confusion. For example sometimes the game prompts you to assemble your 'party'. I only knew the word party in the context of 'celebration' and kept waiting for some kind of dance party to pop off ahahaha. Such precious memories. Played through the game when the remasters came out a while ago and finally got closure on this chapter of my life. Beautiful game. The intro cinematic and Balamb Garden music alone stayed with me for my entire life.

[@Klenemeene]

​@jnm92 That's amazing, a party haha! We also listen to the soundtrack weekly at least, not just ff8 songs but 7 and 9 as well. Especially the distant worlds versions is just incredible.

[@mini-mei]

Damn, the date talks had me snorting out loud 😂

[@xXNigredoXx]

This is why we love Final Fantasy and it's characters!!! Thank you Square for showing us the love behind the game with these amazing people!!!

[@Alkonium]

Vincent Valentine in VII Rebirth isn't Matt's only Final Fantasy role. He's also Trey in Type-0 and Cor Leonis in XV.

[@JL-GHK]

Was actually disappointed Ben wasn't voicing anyone in Dawntrail.

[@scottwagner2566]

Hearing Matt talk about all the games he'd rent from Blockbuster was a blast from the past. Also, finally someone else who played the Lufia series.

[@kadosho02]

Same. Same. So many memories. And hey Lufia is back too

[@IrishVideoGameOrchestra]

We could listen to these two talk all day, thank you and more of this please SE!

[@lionheart4424]

Its so heartwarming to listen to their stories abiut how they grew up with FF and how it shaped their lives. Ben as Clive SLAYED IT!

[@TeddieSage1987]

Ben Starr would make a great cameo in the Legend of Vox Machina tv series or its follow-up. His voice is just that good.

[@alil7484]

This was so amazing to watch - I could watch them nerd out about games all day 🥺

[@MrMovees87]

I could listen to these two read through the phone book and have a wonderful time of it

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect!

[@Chaddingway]

Anyone and everyone who played FF8 for the first time got goosebumps during that intro cinematic. Also, Ben talking about the raw delivery of one of Clive's most emotional lines was great. The controlled anger he displayed when Clive FINALLY talks back against his mother was one of the best scenes in the game for me.

[@xtianb7035]

Why can't I stop smiling watching this?

[@kadosho02]

Joy, fun, and magical. That happy feeling. It is the best

[@skyfernandes8610]

If this was 2005 the amount of Slash fanfic between Clive and Vinfent would be over 9000

[@TheDigitalDecade]

They should put Ben in FF7 Part 3!

[@kadosho02]

As vast as the series cast has become. I wholeheartedly agree

[@mw_]

anyone got the clip of Nina/Benedikta making the sound Ben describes around 49:30?

[@kalandarkclaw8892]

Two amazing VAs sitting down and talking about their passions and not about activists insulting players. Nice change of pace. Great video!

[@mario_maniac9368]

This was so fun to watch clive and Vincent date was amazing 😂. Can't wait for next ff7 to hear more Vincent, and Ben I know ff16 is controversial, but I love it and clive along with the cast of ff16 is amazing and some of the best voice acting I've heard in a game

[@mattp994]

Smells like father

[@SomnusShinra]

Two absolute legends talking for 56:33 minutes. Amazing. I really hope FF7 Rebirth wins GOTY this year. It deserves it by far...

[@riry0ku]

First Raidions musk. Now Clive's musk. Ben really thinks about the characters he portrays on another level. SE, can we have a Vincent and Clive in the Gold Saucer date DLC please?

[@Mi-KunDesu]

Matt and Ben feeding a ship we never knew we needed ~ 🦇🐺❤ It's always fun and hilarious hearing Matt's story of getting cast as Vincent for the nth time ~ 😂 They're too sweet, we're all getting a sugar overload ~ 💖🍬

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect!

[@marneus90]

What are we calling the ship? Valenfield? Rosentine? 🤔

[@fotuto13]

That was such a treat! I hope they can collab more often! I havent been keeping up with Critical Role in a bit but Ben as a guest would be amazing

[@royso5917]

Ben describing what Clive’s clothes smell like is the unhingest thing to ever unhinge

[@helian9779]

The banter at 50:00 had me in stitches. Square, please do more Party Chats!

[@XenosvonFaneli]

"I hope I don't make them sad"... well... you DID, but in a good way.

[@kadosho02]

When a performance delivers feels to the audience. That is noteworthy, and incredible

[@jennifermclaren6147]

So Ben on Critical Role when? ;) Awesome listening to the two of you.

[@calleymacleod]

48:50 I'm pretty sure Ben fell in love there 😆

[@jarrettlone]

Mercer: “Come at me.” Me: “Not without The Master Sword…”

[@MakoTenseii]

I just beat 16. I love this too much. I need more Ben

[@FoxHoundUnit89]

The FFXVI demo made cry and pre-order, and I never pre-order. Ben's performance was amazing. I still haven't played rebirth but I feel like I owe it to the actors despite my disdain for the game design choices.

[@DrCoomer_1]

Get them on a D&D campaign, THAT will score some views

[@lockekappa500]

I could listen to these two men talk about anything.

[@night104]

The goats Vincent and Clive

[@MrMustashio12]

We need a Dirge of Cerberus 2 or remake please!

[@MikeAruba69]

I feel like we will see more Dirge of Cerberus references in FF7 Remake Part 3. Maybe Genesis, Shelke, Azul, Rosso, and Shalua will make an appearance.

[@knuckles543]

@@MikeAruba69 probably going to be DLC like intergrade was, also possibly an advent children DLC (i would if i was Sqeenix)

[@ms.pirate]

Yes please!!! I love that game! I don't care what the anti "edglords" say! Their opinions don't matter! Look at shadow the hedgehog for a great example!

[@MatiasHettichCastillo]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@kadosho02]

​@@ms.pirateand then Keanu Reeves in Sonic 3. Anything is possible

[@Volfur2251]

This was extremely enjoyable to watch from start to finish smiling the entire time. Amazing people and voice actors

[@eveykhan]

11:38 knowing that the FF8 demo came packed with Brave Fencer Musashi really tells they know what they’re talking about 😆🙌

[@Nyx685]

fr I played the hell out of Musashi and the 8 demo

[@kuroinova2056]

I had that ff8 opening on some playstation demo disc. Was too young to know what it was...

[@Nyx685]

I remember 8 was on a Pizza Hut demo disk aside from the one that came with Brave Fencer

[@mattp994]

Can Ben stop being so playful and camp please? I can only fall in love with him so much.

[@TheEnder515]

I guess we'll see Ben on Critical Role soon? 🤔🤣

[@fearlesscheshirecat1411]

The first thing I ever think about now when I see Matt is Levi Ackerman. I just watched the series for the first time, and I just finished it 3 days ago….. My god what a ride!!

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect!!

[@Rebekah_Rosfield831]

Yay 🎉 Ben Starr the Goat, who voiced Clive Rosfield in FFXVI, who is the greatest protagonist of all time. 😊

[@Battle_testedPupa]

Matt Mercer: Come at me! Chrom!!!

[@IchaKlauser31]

I never thought I needed this. Almost 1 hour full of smiles watching this. Thank you for bringing Ben Starr and Matt Mercer. These two are so precious and I'm so happy to see them fanboying like this, gosh, I'm glad to watch this, really made my day. Thank you, Square Enix, Ben, Matt :'''))))

[@Omnicloudx13]

FF7 is my favorite game of all time, I love hearing how people grew up playing it and other jrpgs and talking about it with friends.

[@hencytjoe]

same here

[@GenesisVII]

An awesome watch, please talk for 3 more hours please!

[@ms.pirate]

English voices are honestly WAAAAAYYYY better than the JP voices. No annoying sounds, great acting, easy on the ears. Perfect!!

[@robotninja]

Matt's background in games almost exactly mirrors my own. I would've answered the question almost identically but with a way less engaging voice.

[@kyurei4478]

Clive Rosfield, Chris Redfield. Coincidence? ...I think yes, probably.

[@CactuarJack007]

Now this is chemistry

[@hellohumansss]

what's Matt's nail polish? I need that

[@rafaelyser7935]

Ben is the younger Gen that started with PS1. Like me, Matt remembers how the media exploded from nes and snes sprites to the first experience of FF7 and how insane that experience felt. Geocities, FF forums, bogus game myths, all of it.

[@LeviEvianThal]

Crackpot theory. I know there's the theory that Jenova and Ultima are the same species... what if Clive is Grimoire?

[@lanthian2336]

Vincent and Clive are a couple of my favorite characters in Final Fantasy!

[@gamerchords4526]

Ben and Matt are simply PERFECT for their roles as Clive and Vincent. 🤩 I thought Ben’s performance topped anything else out there last year, and Matt deserves massive credit for nailing the part as the first, proper English voice for Ganondorf in the Zelda series 👏🏼

[@MarcinJuniorPawuniak]

One thing is to play games, other is to dive deeper and watch things like these. Two talented gentlemans with sincere love for their art and such lovable personalities. Makes me wonder how much fun they had off camera. The act of Clive and Vincent date was pure comedy, which was only an improvisation… outstanding. Dissidia need to be made again, made right with the gameplay and include such ridiculous scenes as a „date” of Clive and Vincent. A Kimahri and Red would also be awesome. But not to drag my comment, thank you Square-Enix for creating those characters and Matt and Ben for being legendary with your performance and the love and talent you poured into these characters. This was a blast!

[@resyamv8102]

"If anything it's almost 90% barrel." 🤣

[@HelloGirKitty91]

Why did this NOT appear on my YT feed until TODAY???? I would have Enjoyed the F out of this instead of my fiancé, and parents' acting soo butthurt about life 😢 Regardless, this is a wonderful interview with 2 of my favorite voice actors to listen to 🎶 🤩

[@alexanderoberholzer1456]

Casually just two of the hottest men on the planet in one room. I can die peacefully now...thanks Square Enix❤

[@Sviagatorn]

I´m so glad this interview got published. Matt and Ben are amazing, wonderful, interesting people. It's an outpouring of love for Final Fantasy and resonates deeply with what I feel for the franchise and with my upbringing as a gamer. I did not like the direction XVI took and only played through the demo, but it was not at all due to the performances. I feel the paramount importance of giving his best performance in Ben's narrative if anything. I may give it a go sometime in the future just for that. Thank you Ben and thank you Matt.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

"Do you think it's a sweet musk?" the level of detail here, I am DYING

[@bulgolgi]

ben you made me sad cuz u're the only one that could've played clive so emotional and human. clive's my favourite!! (and vincent ofc!)

[@LuisCastillo-tg6xw]

Haven't played either of the games yet but this interview bumped both up the backlog a lot

[@joshuab1707]

What Ben said about people connecting with each other through Final Fantasy is so true. At work, I have plenty of "co-worker friends," but the only one that I would actually consider a real friend is the one that is just as obsessed about Final Fantasy 7 as I am. We gush about it, we share memes, and talk about the Remake series as we're playing it as well. And it all kicked off because a bunch of us co-workers were talking in a group chat about video games, and I brought up Final Fantasy and so this co-worker side messaged me and it all began there.

[@seablade214]

I never thought about how jealous I should be that Matt can voice act all his games he plays in private.

[@MikeKim-iz6uf]

Let these two fine people do a FF VI playthrough and voice each playable Character - I would be there for every second of it.

[@elmencos3335]

5:48 o man...this made me tear up so much. My dad, who passed away almost 2 years ago, and I connected through fantasy novels and games so much. He introduced me to Zelda and Lord of the Rings. I don't usually get emotional about it, but hearing Ben express it with such love it hit something.

[@Tea1993]

Ben and FF16 team really made Clive my #1 Final Fantasy Protagonist. Even after finishing the game a year ago, he still holds a special place in my heart.

[@MrOmarkhaledbadr1]

Whoever produced this needs to get a raise, what a fantastic idea. I hope you get all the internal support you need to make a second one of these conversations.

[@adlinajay9953]

This is too wholesome man. Like they are genuine fans of the series. Their eyes light up when talking about this. Kinda rare that the VA of the game is like an avid fan of the series. ❤❤❤

[@mriepi]

I'd like to chime in: Introduce Ben to Bells Hells ASAP!

[@PersephoneAzem]

"the smell of father": dirt, motor oil and old spice

[@skipperdani]

Motor Oil is only if they let Noctis into the polycule.

[@pip3rcat]

48:53 Ben just like me fr

[@aaronallen5439]

I just played through 7,8, and the masterpiece that is 9 in my late 20's in 2019 on the xbox, and honestly, there's just something really special about those games. I've played a ton of games in my life, and final fantasy 9 is my favorite game of all time. Even playing it so much later than i should have.

[@exquisitemeat5845]

Based based based

[@dimitriosgladio059]

Hell yeah 9 is so amazing

[@VaioStreams]

this was an absolute joy to watch. That Prank on Matt and the joy on his face made the entire video.