A new version of Final Fantasy XIV, dubbed ‘Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty’, releases later this month, bringing with it a Nier: Automata crossover raid, a New Game+ mode and more. A new cinematic trailer as well as some patch notes provide more insight into the latest chapter of the MMORPG.
The footage introduces an android very similar to Nier: Automata’s 2B to the world of Final Fantasy XIV, while a voice-over talks up some of the expanded lore at play. The raid is called Yorha: Dark Apocalypse, and was guest designed in-part by Yoko Taro, the creator of Nier, and Yosuke Saito, a producer on Nier: Automata and the Dragon Quest series. We can see some of the set-pieces and gameplay leading up to and involved in Yorha – though word of warning, there’s some pretty big spoilers for Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, so watch with caution if you haven’t finished version 5.0.
In an accompanying news update, a dungeon, The Grand Cosmos, is given some background. “An edifice of such magnitude it was said to inspire envy in both the heavens for which it was named and the flowers that pervade its boundless gardens,” the description reads. “As with so many wonders of the world that once was, its radiance quickly faded in the wake of the Flood, its halls falling silent, the throne sitting empty. That is, until the palace was given new purpose when a mage claimed it as their sanctuary, their only company being solace, solitude, and the legion of familiars barring entrance to any foolish enough to seek an audience.”
A New Game+ is being added, allowing players to go back through the main scenario quests of Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers, with current level and equipment. Another new feature is ‘Fellowships’, which are essentially in-game Discord servers where players can host up to 1,000 other players to organize events and partying up for challenges. A player can be in up to 10 fellowships at any one time.
There will be the typical tweaks and alterations in addition to this more substantial content. Ninja, summoner, samurai and blue mage jobs will be altered, and crafters and gatherers will be receiving updates as part of some wider world-building.
You can join the raid Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Version 5.1 launches October 29.