Naughty Dog evokes intricately spun tales, blockbuster action, and unforgettable characters. Think Uncharted's globe-trotting adventures or The Last of Us's angst-ridden world. The studio behind linear, story-driven blockbusters may venture into new territories. Speculation is rife, pointing to an unlikely source of inspiration: Elden Ring.
The open, player-driven universe of the Lands Between, where freedom is the sole command and discovery lurks around every bend, might be influencing Naughty Dog's next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This sounds like a departure, but rumors are swelling from credible sources.
Whispers Begin: A Shift Towards Player Freedom
In October of 2024, MinnMax's Ben Hanson shared an intriguing tip. On a podcast, he explained an insider informed him of Naughty Dog's secret project. The insider's reaction was shock, indicating something truly special was being crafted. Hanson explained the game was compared to "a game with a lot of player freedom," without naming it at the time.
"I spoke with one guy who worked on creating the game and said that they're like Jesus Christ. the tone was like you guys aren't ready for how good this is going to be. and the tone was (I'm not going to call the game they used as an example to compare it). but they compared to a game that has lots of player choice."
Speculation triggered immediately. What could this mysterious game be? Open-world exploration? Branching storylines? It broke from Naughty Dog's tried and trusted formula.
The Game Awards Reveal and the Elden Ring Connection
At The Game Awards 2024, the truth emerged. Naughty Dog unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi adventure with a graphically stunning debut trailer. The trailer grabbed attention, but left everyone eager for gameplay details. Ben Hanson returned to the MinnMax Show to reveal the game he was hyping:
"I think it's fine to say it now: that game was Elden Ring that it was compared to back then."
The Elden Ring comparison will resonate with the gaming community. Hanson initially hesitated to reveal it to avoid unrealistic expectations or negativity. Now, with the Intergalactic glimpse, the pieces appear to align.
Neil Druckmann's Teases and a Lonely Journey
Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann hinted at a departure for this new game. He admitted the game was "fresh" for the studio, questioning player reaction. This exploration of new ground aligns with more player agency and a less linear approach.
Furthermore, Druckmann described Intergalactic as a "lonely game," unlike the buddy-storytelling of Uncharted and The Last of Us. This emphasis on loneliness could reference the isolated, discovery-based environment of games like Elden Ring.
What This Means For Intergalactic
Is Naughty Dog creating an action RPG? Will players freely explore alien world Sempiria, uncovering secrets independently? These questions ignite gamer imaginations. Naughty Dog is tight-lipped on gameplay details, but the Elden Ring comparison is significant.
Note that "on par with Elden Ring in terms of player freedom" does not imply imitation. Naughty Dog is known for unique storytelling and character development. Intergalactic might combine Elden Ring's open-world philosophy with Naughty Dog's storytelling, potentially creating something innovative.
For now, speculation continues as we await official news. The idea of Naughty Dog tackling a game with player freedom akin to Elden Ring is exciting. It could represent a daring new direction for a gaming icon.
