Hopes are high for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new science-fiction IP from Last of Us and Uncharted developer Naughty Dog. Even though there has been the expected backlash from a particular sect of the gaming community, centered mostly on the appearance of Intergalactic's protagonist, there's been little valid reason to be worried about the game's quality, as it's coming from a studio with a strong track record, is fully backed by Sony, and has all the makings of an impressive current-gen release.
Intergalactic's soundtrack comes from famous musical duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, which has audiences further interested in the project.
Another notable reason for the Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet hype is a more nebulous one: uncertainty. While one could argue for The Last of Us' classification as science fiction, that series is a bit more like speculative fiction with sci-fi elements: there are very few hallmarks of science-fiction, as the story is more about how human relationships are redefined in a post-apocalyptic world. But Intergalactic looks to be fully embracing sci-fi tropes and conventions, complete with FTL travel, advanced spacecraft, and deadly automatons. Indeed, Intergalactic seems to adopt many of the qualities of the space opera sub-genre, and this means that it's even more imperative that it stands out.
Intergalactic's Sword Isn't the Only Gameplay Detail Its Trailer Seemingly Revealed
The cinematic trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet doesn't reveal a lot about gameplay, but it hints at some exciting mechanics.
Intergalactic Ought To Learn from Death Stranding's No-Holds Barred Approach to Science Fiction
Love It or Hate It, Death Stranding Is One-of-a-Kind
Although media trends oscillate over the years, science fiction is a consistently popular genre. Perhaps this can be attributed to humanity's penchant for daydreaming and planning for the future, with speculation being a favorite pastime for many. Sci-fi also allows for a great deal of outside-the-box narrative elements, and with tropes and staples less stringently enforced than fantasy, it can be a good avenue for artists to delve into heady, complex subject matter.
But not every storyteller is suited to science fiction: the best sci-fi stories are helmed by visionaries who aren't afraid to get creative or bizarre with their ideas. This is why the likes of Death Stranding have been so enduring and memorable, as they present a vision of the world that few others could have conjured. Death Stranding is a particularly notable example of the genre in gaming, as Kojima Productions was hardly conservative with its ideas: babies connected to the afterlife, humans who are driven to madness by a desire to deliver packages, and a quest designed around quasi-magical WiFi aren't exactly what audiences expect from mainstream science fiction, and that's why the game is so thought-provoking.
Artistic presentation is another area where Death Stranding shines. The game's absurd dialogue, fourth-wall breaks, and complex, avant-garde cutscenes have received criticism and praise in equal measure, but everyone can agree that they make Death Stranding a breath of fresh air. In a world where big-budget movies, TV shows, and games are becoming increasingly homogenized, safe, and sanitized, Death Stranding's panache and flair should be celebrated and encouraged.
Wacky Sci-Fi Concepts Would Help Naughty Dog Out of Its Comfort Zone
Of course, Intergalactic shouldn't, and probably won't, be like Death Stranding. Rather, it's Death Stranding's bold approach to narrative and world design that Naughty Dog should learn from. When Uncharted and The Last of Us were in their heyday, they were unlike anything gaming audiences had seen before. Their natural dialog, movie-quality acting, and blockbuster production value made them feel like interactive movies of the best kind, and their influence can't be overstated.
But it may be time for Naughty Dog to prove that it's not a one-trick pony. That is to say, Intergalactic shouldn't just be "Uncharted in space," especially since one could argue that's been done already through various other movie and gaming properties. No, Intergalactic should learn from the fearlessness of games like Death Stranding, leveraging its sci-fi premise to its fullest, craziest extent.
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
Intergalactic: The Heretic Propher follows Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit.
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
