Yoko Taro begins his career at the now-defunct game development company Cavia. This marked his entry into the world of video game creation.

Yoko Taro directs his first major game, Drakengard (released as Drag-On Dragoon in Japan), for PlayStation 2. The game is known for its dark fantasy setting, unconventional narrative, and challenging themes. While receiving mixed reviews, it established Yoko Taro's unique creative vision.

Yoko Taro is involved in Drakengard 2, but primarily as a scenario writer, not the director. He expressed disappointment with aspects of this sequel, which led to some creative differences.

Yoko Taro directs NieR (released as NieR Gestalt and NieR Replicant), a spin-off from the Drakengard series. Despite initial modest sales, the game gained a cult following due to its emotional story, memorable characters, and philosophical themes. It became a defining work in his career.

With the closure of Cavia, Yoko Taro becomes a freelance game director and writer, allowing him to collaborate with various studios and projects.

Yoko Taro directs Drakengard 3, a prequel to the original Drakengard. The game continues the series' dark themes and unconventional storytelling, though it also faced technical challenges.

Yoko Taro directs NieR:Automata, a sequel to NieR, developed by PlatinumGames. The game achieves critical and commercial success, solidifying Yoko Taro's reputation as a visionary game director. It becomes a cultural phenomenon, praised for its gameplay, story, music, and philosophical themes.

A remake/remaster of the original NieR Replicant is released. Yoko Taro is involved in the project, overseeing the enhancements and ensuring the integrity of the original vision.

Yoko Taro continues to work on various game projects, often shrouded in secrecy, maintaining his enigmatic persona and reputation for creating unconventional and thought-provoking experiences. He has expressed interest in exploring new genres and platforms.