Predicting a game's release date based on it's first ratings board appearance seems to be becoming a trend lately. This is because generally games are certified by ratings boards very close to release, after all of the game's content has been solidified and it is in the final stages of development. Recently, many games' rating listings in countries like Taiwan have given eagle-eyed fans a better idea of when to expect their releases, while some titles have outright leaked thanks to them. The newest surprise title to receive a ratings board classification is Square-Enix's upcoming Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139....
Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is a remaster of the original Nier, originally released on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010. While the version released worldwide is the Nier: Gestalt release of the game simply titled Nier, in Japan the title was released in two versions, Nier: Gestalt and Nier: Replicant, both of which featured completely different protagonists and some different scenes. The upcoming remaster is based on the Replicant release of the original and is said to feature fully voice acted dialogue, a completely rearranged soundtrack, and improvements to gameplay. The remaster is also rumored to feature an appearance from Nier: Automata's 2B and 9S.
Gematsu noticed the listing, which has been posted by the Taiwan games rating board. The Taiwanese ratings board has been responsible for many early listings and leaks such as Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and, most recently, No More Heroes for the Nintendo Switch. The ratings cover the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC versions of the game.
While this rating doesn't provide any solid release date for the game, it does imply that Nier Replicant's release is at least impending, and that development is wrapping up for the long-awaited remaster. Furthermore, with Tokyo Game Show 2020 taking place in just over 2 weeks, it seems likely that Square Enix will at the very least reveal the first gameplay of the upcoming remaster.
As previously mentioned, the Taiwan games rating board has previously been responsible for leaking the existence of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and a likely No More Heroes remaster for the Switch. Recent rating boards leaks have provided insight into impending release dates, which much speculation leveled towards the ratings for the upcoming Demon's Souls remake, which was rated in South Korea, along with Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Earlier this year the Mafia 2: Definitive Edition was also leaked by the Taiwan rating board, which then prompted the early announcement of the Mafia: Definitive Edition remake. These leaks make it hard to imagine that this Nier Replicant listing is a mistake, but is instead a sign that we will be seeing some sort of announcement regarding the remaster very soon.
Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is planned for release on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.