Summary
Naughty Dog is stepping into uncharted territory withIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, as the game not only features retro sci-fi aesthetics and themes, but it will also take players to an unknown universe in the distant future. This is a far cry from what the studio has done with its biggest franchises,The Last of UsandUncharted, both of which are grounded and set in the present day. DespiteIntergalacticbeing such a departure for Naughty Dog, the studio has nevertheless proven its ability to deliver compelling narratives and engaging gameplay, andIntergalacticis expected to be no different.
That being said, it may still need to consider spending a bit more time in the oven, simply due to its potential release window. Being a new IP and a sci-fi game,Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophetmay find itself releasing right in the middle of other titles like it, and while trends like this have been known to allow games to feed off each other,Intergalacticmight still need more space between it and similar games. This is especially true if it hopes to stand out and make a lasting impression, and even more so if Naughty Dog wants to turn it into a full-blown franchise.
Intergalactic May Need More Space Between It and Other Sci-Fi Projects
Housemarque’s Saros Is Expected to Launch in 2026
The first gameIntergalacticmay want to keep an eye out for isSaros, which is currently expected to launch sometime in 2026. Developed by Housemarque, the studio behindReturnal,Sarosis a loop-based game where each death transforms the world. Unliketraditional roguelikes,Sarosmakes progression permanent, allowing players to upgrade weapons and suits between runs, ensuring that every death gives them a chance to become stronger.
DespiteIntergalacticbeing such a departure for Naughty Dog, the studio has nevertheless proven its ability to deliver compelling narratives and engaging gameplay, andIntergalacticis expected to be no different.
The key characteristics ofSaros, however, are that it’s a sci-fi game as well as a PlayStation 5 exclusive — two characteristics thatIntergalacticalso shares. Given that Naughty Dog typically puts around four years between projects and 2022’sThe Last of Us Part 1for PC and PlayStation 5 was its most recent launch, it may be targeting a 2026release date forIntergalactic, which could put it up againstSaros. Thankfully,SarosandIntergalacticdo have very distinct differences in their design, so that might be enough to set them apart. Even so,Intergalacticmay still be better off avoidingSarosin the long run.
Santa Monica Reportedly Has a Sci-Fi Game in the Works
Something else that might giveIntergalactica run for its money is a rumored sci-fi game byGod of Wardeveloper Santa Monica, which is also expected to be another PlayStation 5 exclusive. Reports have suggested that this project is set in asci-fi fantasy worldwhere humanity has reverted to a medieval-like era, with the narrative allegedly centering on a white female protagonist safeguarding a pivotal artifact from humanity’s golden age, all while the game’s antagonists attempt to summon a cosmic entity.
Given its description,Santa Monica’s rumored sci-fi gameseems a bit closer to whatIntergalacticmay offer in terms of gameplay and story thanSaros. In light of that, it may pose a greater threat toIntergalacticif the two games are released around the same time. The game has been rumored since 2019, which means it has potentially been in development for nearly six years at this point, so a release could happen sooner rather than later. Thankfully, since it is still only just a rumor and has yet to be revealed in any capacity, its launch may still be years away.
At the same time, if Santa Monica happens to announce its rumored sci-fi game at any point this year, that could put its release date in 2026, alongsideSarosand, potentially,Intergalactic.
IfIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophetaims to make a name for itself, it needs to time its release well. WhileNaughty Dog’s historyall but guaranteesIntergalacticwill be a polished and compelling experience, launching it in proximity toSarosor Santa Monica’s rumored sci-fi project could make standing out more difficult. A well-planned release window could ensureIntergalacticgets the attention it deserves rather than being overshadowed by similar titles.
