When discussing the top PlayStation 5 titles or the greatest video games ever created, it's likely that a release from Naughty Dog will be among the list. Ahead of The Game Awards 2024, our compilation of upcoming games was already impressive, but one last announcement that night brought yet another potential contender to the forefront—one that may challenge other big names like Ghost of Yotei and Wolverine. Given that this is a project from Naughty Dog, it quickly became one of our most awaited PS5 titles, although some folks might need a little more info to get on board. We gathered as much intelligence as possible on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and here’s what we discovered.
If you don’t currently own a PS5, don't worry! There are numerous forthcoming titles for Xbox Series X, PC, and Switch as well.
Release Window Speculation
While a specific release date has yet to be announced for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, we can make an educated guess about its arrival. Neil Druckmann, the head of creative, mentioned that the team has been “developing this exciting new adventure since 2020.” This indicates that the game has been in production for about four years. Considering the typical development timeline for titles created by Naughty Dog, it’s reasonable to project that the game could still have another year or two in the pipeline, likely positioning it for a 2026 release.
Platforms
As a long-standing PlayStation first-party development studio, Naughty Dog's choice to make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet a PS5 exclusive is hardly surprising. However, considering that most of Naughty Dog's recent titles have also launched on PC, it’s likely that this one will follow suit after approximately six months to a year.
Trailers
The announcement trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet debuted at the closing of The Game Awards 2024. It begins with a quote from an Ancient Sempirian Scripture: “The suffering of generations must be endured to achieve our divine end.” The setting unfolds on a luminescent red planet adorned with a shattered moon, as a spaceship approaches.
Here, we are introduced to Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter who embarks on a perilous mission on the treacherous world of Sempiria. Her target is Colin Graves, a member of a group referred to as the Five Aces. This isolated planet has been silent for centuries, and no one has returned from it in over 600 years. Jordan persuades her partner to take on this risky bounty, suggesting that she has personal motives beyond just the monetary reward. The trailer concludes with a dramatic encounter featuring a giant robotic adversary wielding a massive laser axe.
For the time being, that's all we know about the narrative. The development team aims to craft a story that is not only engaging but emotionally impactful, heavy on character development.
Gameplay
While the earlier trailer did not reveal gameplay mechanics, we can glean some insights from what we've seen. The primary weapon showcased appears to be Jordan's crimson laser sword, which she uses to jump and strike enemies at the trailer's climax. This suggests that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will likely be a third-person action game emphasizing melee combat.
However, a moment in the trailer also shows Jordan acquiring a firearm while aboard her ship, indicating that gunplay might be an option as well. Furthermore, Druckmann has previously addressed his vision for the game: “Our narrative goals are matched only by our gameplay ambitions: We aim to provide the most profound gameplay experience in Naughty Dog's history, leveraging lessons from our previous projects and pushing our boundaries further than ever before.” While this statement is somewhat vague, it undoubtedly sets high expectations.
Preorder
As we estimate, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is still at least a year away. We will promptly update this article as soon as any preorder information becomes available.
