I´m also deeply sorry about Nobou departure, But you have to realize that he quit the project, that means the he maybe realize that his heart , his inspirtaion is focussing in any other music fields or maybe He feel that he´s not giving 100 % anymore in that games like many other musician feels in different projects. Nobou is not being replaced , he gave all that he could gave and let his place to new fresh ideas, I heard some of the XII tracks and they are very different but powerfull something I´ve never heard in a FF, that happens when time goes on on , especially in this serie , maybe the longest Serie in Video game (excuse me Mr. mario Bros but you don´t count as a serie) . Very soon Hironobu is going to leave FF too, And some other people is going to take the lead , I don´t like the idea but what can be done ?, just wait and see.