PlayStation’s first-party studio Naughty Dog, known for iconic franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us, has finally revealed one of its long-awaited projects!
Since the days of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Naughty Dog has been one of the most respected studios in the gaming industry, with fans eagerly anticipating its next project. It’s my personal favorite among the studios working under Sony’s PlayStation brand—and perhaps even in the entire gaming industry!
Since the release of The Last of Us Part II in 2020, we’ve been waiting for news about their next project. Initially, it seemed that their next title would be a standalone version of the multiplayer mode “Factions” from The Last of Us Part II, a live-service game. However, when that was canceled, we were left in the dark, with only vague statements like “we’re working on many things” to hold onto. Finally, during The Game Awards, Naughty Dog’s new game was revealed as the famous “one more thing” announcement: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is a sci-fi game, with the main character Jordan A. Mun brought to life by Tati Gabrielle, who also appeared as one of the villains in the Uncharted movie. Gabrielle will be joined by a star-studded cast, including Troy Baker, whose involvement was confirmed during a recent interview, and Kumail Nanjiani, recognizable from his role as Kingo in the MCU’s Eternals. The game’s ‘80s-inspired aesthetic is already drawing comparisons to Cowboy Bebop, Akira, and Guardians of the Galaxy across the internet.
Set in a retro-futuristic universe, the game puts players in the role of a bounty hunter stranded on a mysterious planet where no one has returned from in 600 years, and all contact with the outside world is cut off upon landing. Neil Druckmann promises that the game will feature the deep characters and emotional storytelling that have become Naughty Dog’s signature, along with the studio’s most advanced gameplay yet.
Although I’m excited and singing the game’s praises, there’s still some ongoing resentment among fans due to The Last of Us Part II. While I’m not as radical as some in my criticism, I must admit that my first impression of the protagonist wasn’t the most favorable. That said, this is Naughty Dog we’re talking about—a studio that managed to make even a character like Abby somewhat sympathetic. I fully expect them to win me over eventually! While no release date has been announced for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, my gut tells me it’s aiming for 2026. If it launches alongside Wolverine, we might see a repeat of the Spider-Man and God of War phenomenon of 2018.
What do you think about Naughty Dog’s new game? Are you still upset with the studio because of Part II? How do you think the story will unfold? Share your thoughts below!