Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet — Everything We Know About Naughty Dog’s Upcoming Game
After the monumental journey of The Last of Us, Naughty Dog is back with an exciting new original IP. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet takes players on a stellar adventure that promises to be as thrilling as it is emotional, fueled by the studio’s undeniable talent. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation 5, this new game aims to push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay.
Naughty Dog is a cornerstone of the video game industry, known for iconic franchises such as Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and most notably Uncharted and The Last of Us. These series have not only spawned multiple sequels, remasters, and remakes but have also been adapted for the screen—like the 2022 Uncharted film starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, and HBO’s The Last of Us series featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as Joel and Ellie. Naughty Dog’s mastery of narrative and visuals is widely acclaimed, and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is shaping up to be their boldest and most creative experience yet.
Project Details
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is Naughty Dog’s next original story—a futuristic bounty hunter adventure. Exclusively developed for the PlayStation 5, the game is led by Neil Druckmann, with Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau serving as co-directors. Development began in 2020 following the release of The Last of Us Part II, and Druckmann confirmed his commitment to the project during the Summer Game Fest in June 2022.
In February, Sony Interactive Entertainment filed the trademark for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, though Naughty Dog’s involvement wasn’t mentioned at the time. The project was officially unveiled only at the 2024 Game Awards, after years of secret development.
Intergalactic: A Journey into the Unknown
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet follows Jordan A. Mun, a formidable bounty hunter stranded on Sempiria, a distant planet cut off from the rest of the galaxy for centuries. No one has ever returned from this world, and Jordan will have to use all her skill and ingenuity to survive and become the first person in over 600 years to escape its orbit.
Neil Druckmann, the creative mind behind The Last of Us, revealed that Intergalactic’s story explores a fictional religion and themes of faith, drawing inspiration from classic Japanese animation like Akira and Cowboy Bebop.
Though Naughty Dog is still closely guarding the plot details, fans can expect a mature, captivating sci-fi experience that will delight genre enthusiasts. The focus will be on storytelling and character development, with the studio aiming to break new ground in gameplay by building on and surpassing the success of their previous franchises.
A Star-Studded Cast and Enchanting Soundtrack
Jordan A. Mun is voiced by Tati Gabrielle, known for her roles in Uncharted and The Last of Us season 2. Druckmann praised Gabrielle’s audition performance, comparing it to Ashley Johnson’s portrayal of Ellie in The Last of Us game. Colin Graves, the target hunted by Jordan, is expected to be played by Kumail Nanjiani, known from Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Marvel’s Eternals. Though unconfirmed, the game may also feature Halley Gross, Tony Dalton, and Troy Baker in undisclosed roles.
To accompany this cosmic odyssey, Naughty Dog has enlisted Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to compose the game’s soundtrack. Their talent for crafting immersive and emotionally charged atmospheres is well-known, thanks to their work on films like The Social Network and Gone Girl, as well as series like Disney+’s Shōgun. This collaboration promises to add a unique and captivating auditory dimension that will enhance the game’s narrative and visual experience. The trailer already offers a glimpse of their work on the project.
The Anticipation Builds
While the official release date remains unknown, some fans who analyzed the trailer spotted a clue suggesting a spring 2027 launch. At 2:48 in the trailer, a screen displays the bounty details for Colin Graves along with a series of numbers: 3127. Many interpret this as a hint to March 1, 2027 (3/1/2027 in US date format), a possible release date for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In the meantime, fans continue to dissect the trailer, searching for Easter eggs and other hints. One thing is certain: Naughty Dog is poised to deliver a game ahead of its time, both literally and figuratively.
