Neon Genesis Evangelion Raids Coming to Final Fantasy XIV

Square Enix has announced that Neon Genesis Evangelion will make its way into Final Fantasy XIV through a multi-part raid series called Ghosts of Desire. This will debut with Patch 8.1 of the upcoming Evercold expansion. The collaboration is set as endgame alliance raid content, targeting FFXIV’s most dedicated players instead of casual, one-off events.

While details are still sparse beyond the patch schedule and the raid series title, the phrase “Patch 8.1 and on” suggests Square Enix is gearing up for a multi-chapter release. This approach resembles previous alliance raid series like Void Ark and YoRHa: Dark Apocalypse, which rolled out over several major updates. The NieR: Automata crossover in Shadowbringers stands out as one of FFXIV’s most praised alliance raid arcs, setting a high standard for future collaborations.

The Evangelion franchise fits perfectly with FFXIV’s track record of crossovers. Previous raid collaborations have pulled from both Final Fantasy’s own catalog and other external properties. The NieR series demonstrated that story-driven anime-inspired IPs can create memorable raid experiences without feeling like mere marketing ploys. Anno Hideaki’s iconic franchise, complete with giant mechs, psychological horror, and dramatic boss encounters, presents clear potential for multi-floor raid design.

FFXIV boasts an 87% positive rating on Steam, based on 65,385 reviews, and a Metacritic score of 82. These figures reflect a stable playerbase rather than a temporary spike at launch. As reported by IGN, the Evangelion content is highlighted as a key feature in the post-launch roadmap of the Evercold expansion. This suggests that Square Enix is counting on this collaboration to help retain subscribers in the months following the launch.

The game also recently partnered with PC case manufacturer HYTE. Their Y70 case collaboration with FFXIV indicates that Square Enix is broadening the brand’s reach beyond in-game promotions. Together, the Evangelion raid announcement and the HYTE partnership show a strategic effort to keep FFXIV culturally relevant as we approach the release of Evercold.

By The Numbers

Steam Review Score	87% positive
Total Steam Reviews	65,385
Metacritic Score	82
Current Steam Price	$19.99
Current Steam Players	20,046

Community feedback on the game’s direction remains positive. One Steam reviewer, who has logged many hours, stated: “I’ve played MMOs for years, but FFXIV feels like I’m actually meant to be here.” This kind of loyalty, built through engaging narratives, is what a high-profile crossover like Evangelion aims to reward and enhance.

What To Watch

• Patch 8.1 reveal details: Square Enix needs to showcase actual raid floor designs, boss names, and story elements before players can judge the collaboration’s quality. Keep an eye on the Evercold media tour and Live Letters for updates.
• Subscriber retention metrics: Alliance raid series usually trigger spikes in re-subscriptions. The impact of Ghosts of Desire on these numbers will reveal how well the Evangelion IP resonates with FFXIV’s core audience.
• Additional crossover scope: Previous collaborations included cosmetic rewards, mounts, and minions alongside raid content. Confirm if Evangelion-themed gear and collectibles will be included when Square Enix releases the full patch notes.