Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is Naughty Dog's first brand-new IP in years, and it's a bold departure from its recent offerings. Unlike the more grounded nature of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Intergalactic is a full-blown sci-fi adventure. The story follows bounty hunter Jordan as she finds herself on the mysterious planet of Sempiria, which hasn't made outside contact for over 600 years.
Compared to Naughty Dog's latest series, The Last of Us, Intergalactic is the post-apocalyptic franchise's polar opposite. Intergalactic is an exciting change of pace for the developer, but it also raises the question of just how different it will be to The Last of Us. Of course, the story is a no-brainer, but when it comes to gameplay, there could be some surprising overlap. One small, but charming, feature in The Last of Us was its Savage Starlight collectibles. If Intergalactic has a similar collectible feature, then it might be a great way to pay homage to The Last of Us.
How The Last of Us’ Seraphites May Be Training Wheels for Intergalactic’s Sempirians
A big parallel between faith and religion in The Last of Us and Intergalactic could tether the former's Seraphites to the latter's Sempirians.
Instead of Savage Starlight, Intergalactic Could Feature a Fictional Post-Apocalyptic Franchise
Savage Starlight Adds Depth to The Last of Us' World
Savage Starlight may not be a real comic book franchise, but it's proven to be a beloved piece of The Last of Us games. From its characters to the artwork featured on the comic covers, the team at Naughty Dog responsible for crafting these comics did a great job at making it feel like a believable franchise. Putting similar fictional franchise collectibles in future games, even if not another Last of Us entry, could be a great tradition for Naughty Dog to continue.
Savage Starlight's story revolves around the protagonist, Dr. Daniela Star, who discovers a hostile alien race in the year 2186.
Since Savage Starlight is sci-fi, it makes one wonder if Naughty Dog was planting the seeds to hint at Intergalactic, but that's purely speculation. If Intergalactic features collectibles, a fictional series that follows an Ellie-inspired protagonist trying to survive in a ravaged zombie-infested world might be a fun homage.
Intergalactic is an exciting change of pace for the developer, but it also raises the question of just how different it will be to The Last of Us.
Whether it be comic books once again or something more intertwined with the game's world, like ancient Sempirian tablets, Intergalactic could have a lot of fun with such a concept. If Naughty Dog has proven anything, it's that the developer is skilled at adding a lot of layers to its world that make them feel far more realistic. It wouldn't be surprising if Intergalactic was given the same attention to detail as its predecessors.
The Last of Us features Savage Starlight through comic books, while The Last of Us Part 2 switches things up in favor of trading cards.
Naughty Dog's Next Intergalactic Reveal is Currently Being Kept Under Wraps
- The first and only trailer for Intergalactic was a surprise reveal at the 2024 Game Awards.
- The game stars Tati Gabrielle as Jordan. She also plays Nora in season 2 of the live-action version of The Last of Us.
- Other cast members include Kumail Nanjiani and Troy Baker.
The reveal trailer for Intergalactic raised a lot of questions, as its world looks incredibly intriguing. Considering that Neil Druckmann has confirmed that the game will tackle religious themes, there's no telling what deep stories are in store for players. With Naughty Dog bringing back actors like Troy Baker, the game is also bound to be filled with some strong performances.
Only time will tell if Naughty Dog reveals more about Intergalactic in 2025. There are hopefully more details showcased this year, but as of now, Intergalactic remains incredibly mysterious.
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
