Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophetis switching gears from Naughty Dog’s more recent franchises. This time around, Naughty Dog is combining sci-fi with a retro edge. Between a Porsche-branded spaceship and the use of “It’s a Sin” by Pet Shop Boys,Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophetis clearly seeking to blend futurism with heavy 80s inspiration. While this mix of 80s product placement and groundbreaking future technology isn’t entirely new, one of the core features that helpsIntergalacticstill feel unique is its apparent melee focus.
Naughty Dog’s hard turn into a new genre could be a breath of fresh air for the studio. BetweenThe Last of UsandUncharted, the developer has stayed fairly grounded with its IP’s worlds. TheJak and Daxterfranchise blends futuristic and fantasy elements, butIntergalacticopting for a full-blown sci-fi worldis an exciting frontier that Naughty Dog has yet to explore. One of the most exciting features showcased in the game is protagonist Jordan’s plasma sword, suggesting a preference for melee over guns. This is a compelling shake-up for Naughty Dog, and Insomniac’sWolverinegame could potentially serve as an unlikely, but perfect, blueprint.
Intergalactic and Wolverine’s Primary Weapons Create Gameplay Hurdles
BetweenIntergalacticandWolverine, the two games seem to mostly have a melee combat system. Of course, it’s important to note that inIntergalactic’s trailer, Jordan has a gun strapped to her leg in the end cutscene, but with the main emphasis being on the plasma sword, it feels safe to assume that this is the main weapon used in combat.Naughty Dog embracing melee is intriguing, as it has previously put a huge focus on fine-tuning long-ranged combat withUnchartedandThe Last of Us. Putting melee front and center is a bold departure, andWolverinecould help inform the developer on how to approach this combat method in a way that avoids becoming repetitive.
Intergalacticstars actress Tati Gabrielle. She will also be playing the role of Nora in season 2 of HBO’sThe Last of Usseries.
Wolverine’s Claw-Based Fighting Mechanics Will Have to Stay Dynamic
The biggest issue with a single weapon is that it can grow stale the longer players spend time with a game. Wolverine only has his claws at his disposal, andInsomniac has yet to reveal how it plans to keep its combat exciting. After a while, simply hacking and slashing is bound to grow old, so it’s likely that Wolverine’s claws will either receive upgrades, or there may be undisclosed extra weapons that bring some long-ranged moments to combat.
Similarly,Intergalacticseems bound to offer sword upgrades in some capacity. Although it was a far more grounded approach,The Last of Usmade upgrading weapons an important part of its mechanics, so it’s definitely not outside the realm of possibility forIntergalacticto do the same.
Naughty Dog’s hard turn into a new genre could be a breath of fresh air for the studio.
Everything Confirmed About Intergalactic
The teased plasma blade inIntergalacticis just as compelling as its setting and story, so hopefullyNaughty Dog will drop more details later this year. BetweenIntergalacticandWolverine, the release date of the two games currently remains a mystery. At this point, it is unlikely that both will be released this year. However, both Naughty Dog and Insomniac offering insight into the combat mechanics of their respective games would answer a lot of questions.
These two titles seem like unlikely companions on the surface, but their shared use of melee-heavy fighting methods serves as an exciting connection. Although it’s still a while away,Intergalacticteases plenty to be excited about, and it will be fascinating to see how Naughty Dog and Insomniac approach similar combat styles.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
WHERE TO PLAY
Intergalactic: The Heretic Propher follows Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. In fact, anyone who’s flown to it hoping to unravel its mysterious past was never heard from again. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit.
