The Heretic Prophet could be Naughty Dog's best game for one simple reason

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is looking to be Naughty Dogthe biggest project to date. First shown during The Game Awards 2024, IntergalacticThe reveal was certainly one of the highlights of the event, finally bringing players to what the acclaimed studio has been working on for so many years. However, now that the dust has settled on the reveal, there are many questions about how Naughty Dog plans to continue, or even surpass, the quality of its previous titles.

It's a good line of inquiry, given Naughty Dog's reputation. With the studio being responsible for many critically acclaimed franchises such as Unknown and The last of usis important for Intergalactic to at least meet the quality expected of Naughty Dog in order to maintain its incredible track record. Fortunately, Naughty Dog is promising that Intergalactic will indeed maintain the standards the studio has set for itself over the past few decades. Furthermore, the studio may be looking to surpass the titles it has produced before in one important aspect to make your best game yet.

Naughty Dog promised the deepest gameplay ever

There's a clear sense of ambition on display

Naughty Dog promised to surpass its previous titles by expanding one main element: gameplay. On Naughty Dogofficial news page, studio head Neil Druckmann emphasizes gameplay as an important focal point for Intergalacticclaiming that the game will have “…the deepest gameplay in Naughty Dog history.” Druckmann reiterates this point, explaining how IntergalacticThe gameplay serves as an evolution, with Naughty Dog taking “lessons from its previous franchises” to take the new title as far as possible.

There is a clear sense of ambition present in Intergalacticmatched only by Druckmann's abundant passion for the project. Helps inspire hope that Intergalactic will continue the studio's never-ending string of successes while also building excitement thanks to Naughty Dog's clear desire to improve. Furthermore, Druckmann also assures players that Intergalacticthe narrative will maintain the same quality like the studio's previous franchises, only increasing the possibility that Naughty Dog's newest game will become its best work.

Deeper gameplay is key to Intergalactic's success

Sci-fi adventure demands a more complex gaming experience

This feeling of ambition being brought to IntergalacticThe gameplay is exactly what this next game needs to set itself above Naughty Dog's other franchises. While series like Unknown and The last of us are packed with intense cinematic combat scenarios that are thrilling to play, the player is often limited in areas such as progression and exploration. The linearity in these titles is likely done in service of the game's narrative, which has often been the most significant aspect of these titles.

This isn't to say that this approach is a major hindrance for either series.. The captivating stories often lead the player to stay almost exclusively on the path ahead for these narratives to unfold, giving these titles fantastic pacing. That being said, these limitations placed on player progression and freedom show the areas that Intergalactic can expand, providing a much deeper and more varied gaming experience than gamers have come to expect from Naughty Dog.

It certainly helps IntergalacticThe premise of demands a more ambitious gaming experience than previously seen. The setting of an abandoned planet in the cosmos immediately creates a strong desire to roam the unknown world in search of its secrets. A deeper, more complex, and more liberating gameplay experience would perfectly complement the broader narrative Naughty Dog has already prepared. Intergalacticresulting in a title that goes far beyond the limits established by Unknown and The last of us.

What Intergalactic gameplay could be like

The game can improve previous shortcomings

Unfortunately, no concrete information has been given by Naughty Dog about what Intergalacticthe deeper gameplay it can actually seem. The only glimpse of gameplay came in the last few seconds of the reveal trailer, which could imply that Intergalactic has a greater emphasis on hand-to-hand combat. Seeing the protagonist, Jordan, face off against the titanic robot with sword in hand certainly suggests this is the case, possibly opening the door to more complex, action-packed one-on-one encounters that would be exciting to take part in.

IntergalacticThe gameplay could also work to improve the shortcomings of Naughty Dog's previous titles. While the studio has managed to create some incredible combat scenarios in previous franchises, such as Unknown and The last of usSometimes they are split into different play styles that don't have the same depth and fun. THE Unknown series, for example, is famous for its tedious climbing sectionsas developers attempt to use spectacle or character interactions to distract from the minimal input provided by the player.

Varied gameplay styles that receive the same attention as combat would be a huge boost to Intergalacticfurther consolidating the idea of ​​the game as an evolution of previous titles. The ambition and care that Druckmann promised to give to IntergalacticThe game's gameplay creates more excitement for the title than ever before. If done correctly, not only Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet be a worthy title in Naughty Dog's library, but it could elevate the studio's already huge reputation by becoming the developer's best game to date.

Source: Naughty Dog