Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion, Shadowbringers, is going to include a Nier: Automata-themed raid called Yorha: Dark Apocalypse. Accordingly, the two games’ directors have been working together, and FFXIV’s Naoki Yoshida has nothing but nice things to say about Nier’s charmingly eccentric Yoko Taro.
“This is the first time I’ve worked with him directly,” Yoshida told PCGamesN. “What I’ve noticed about Yoko Taro is he makes decisions very quickly. He’s not the type of person who is adamant about wanting to have his vision realised exactly as is, but he’s really good at utilising things that already exist and that are available. He’s very brilliant about that.”
This talent enabled Taro to bypass limitations by fitting existing things together in new ways. “Sometimes he would take that combination of the elements and then either flip it upside down or just break it apart to bring that element of surprise,” Yoshida says. “I think it can only be done because he sees that limitation and knows how to manoeuvre through it. I think that’s very unique of Yoko Taro to do and he’s really good at it.”
Yoshida was curiously guarded about collaborating with Nier: Automata’s lead composer, Keiichi Okabe. “Unfortunately, we’re not able to say anything just yet, officially,” he says. “But, of course, we’re mindful of bringing in that essence of Nier in terms of the sounds as well. So, we’re hoping that we will get the opportunity to reveal information on that.”
Related: Prepare for Shadowbringers with our Dancer Job guide
How mysterious. With the Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers release date just around the corner, players will soon be able to enjoy the results of this special collaboration. If you’d like to read more in the meantime, here are our FFXIV: Shadowbringers hands-on impressions, including our take on the Gunbreaker, the healer rework, one of the new dungeons, and plenty more.