Intergalactic Might Be the End of a Double-Edged Naughty Dog Game Trope

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Summary

  • Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet focuses on bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun’s journey on a dangerous, mysterious planet.
  • Comments by Neil Druckmann suggest Intergalactic will depart from Naughty Dog’s typical companion-based gameplay.
  • The game may feature a more isolated experience, emphasizing the loneliness of the protagonist and setting.

The upcoming title by Naughty Dog is “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet”. This game follows the thrilling journey of bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun, who finds himself 2000 years into an alternate future that diverged from our own in the late-80s. On this journey, Jordan encounters Sempiria, a hidden planet where no communication has been established for over 500 years. All previous attempts to explore and make contact with it have ended in strange disappearances.

In its debut as a new intellectual property, “Intergalactic” is set to bring about some shifts in Naughty Dog’s traditional methods, particularly within their past series. Notably, Naughty Dog has gained fame for the post-apocalyptic survival drama “The Last of Us” and the action-adventure series “Uncharted”. However, the studio’s transition into a dark, futuristic sci-fi genre, as opposed to the more earthbound themes of their previous works, is noteworthy. Moreover, according to creative director and writer Neil Druckmann, this new project might also signal a departure from some signature design and storytelling aspects that Naughty Dog has become known for.

Jordan will be played by Tati Gabrielle, who also portrays Nora in The Last of Us series on HBO.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet May Be Moving Away From Naughty Dog’s Standard ‘Companion-Based’ Experiences

Naughty Dog’s Games Often Heavily Rely on NPC Companion Dynamics

In both “Uncharted” and “The Last of Us,” the primary focus is on the player controlling a character as they traverse environments and engage in combat alongside an NPC ally. Nathan Drake from “Uncharted” frequently had one or more of his fellow explorers accompanying him, while Joel and Ellie from “The Last of Us” have become a renowned video game duo. When the second installment made Ellie the main character, she was still accompanied by characters like Dina, while Abby’s sections featured her working with Lev.

In this design, there were numerous instances of authentic character interplay and heartfelt connections, from playful banter to profound introspection following the more dramatic and harrowing scenes in the games. As a result, the game levels and puzzles were often crafted around these pairings, making it a consistent feature in Naughty Dog’s productions. However, over time, this approach could sometimes feel somewhat familiar or repetitive. Yet, that may drastically alter in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Might Be More of a Solo Story

In an article for Games Radar, Neil Druckmann discussed his thoughts on the vision behind “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.” He emphasized that the game will primarily focus on themes of loneliness and wanting players to feel disoriented. This departure from games like “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted,” where there was always a friendly presence even in dire circumstances, suggests that Intergalactic may adopt a more isolating atmosphere, mirroring the setting of an unforgiving environment where no survivors have been found so far.

In the way that “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” is structured, there could potentially remain parts where Jordan is momentarily aided by an allied character. This might involve Naughty Dog revisiting their traditional approach and leveraging their expertise, leading to the introduction of a character who can provide further insight into Sempiria’s events and guide both story and gameplay. However, considering Druckmann’s description, it seems likely that players will spend most of the game alone. It will be intriguing to observe how “Intergalactic” reconciles this solo focus with its other elements.

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2025-05-31 16:04