Naughty Dog’s upcoming game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet may feature horror themes and elements, according to a new rumor.
When Naughty Dog revealed Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet at The Game Awards with a new trailer, the studio’s fans were instantly intrigued. The five-minute trailer showcased an anime-watching, Porsche-rocket-driving bounty hunter squaring off against a hulking cyborg in a futuristic 1986 alternate universe.
As the studio’s first new IP in nearly 15 years, Intergalactic has been hyped as a bold return to action-adventure storytelling, drawing inspiration from classics like Akira and Cowboy Bebop. But like all things Naughty Dog, the project hasn’t been without its fair share of mystery and speculation.
While the official trailer gave us a glimpse of the protagonist and her world, new rumors suggest Intergalactic might lean into horror/terror themes.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet To Feature Horror Themes?
The news comes from Joanastic, a Spanish YouTuber who follows Naughty Dog closely. According to new details, Intergalactic could incorporate horror elements.
This claim stems from work by Naughty Dog’s concept artist Tye Martinez, whose portfolio includes designs rooted in horror and suspense, and Colin Lorimer, another artist who tagged #horror alongside other genres on social media posts related to the game.
Martinez’s profile description reads: “Self-taught artist of 10+ years specializing in cinematic horror and thriller concepts. Using a blend of photography and Photoshop to create realistic cinematic pieces to inspire developers in world-building.”
Lorimer is working as a Story Artist at Naughty Dog and collaborated with Neil Druckmann on the initial pitch for the trailer. “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet has finally been announced, Lorimer said in a post on Instagram.
“I worked on the initial board pitch with [Neil Druckmann] and a bunch of talented ND artists back in 2023. This trailer’s a great tease for what’s to come and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together!”
Check out some of Martinez’s artwork below.
While this is exciting for fans craving a darker tone, it’s important to note that none of this has been officially confirmed by Naughty Dog. As with any rumor, we recommend taking unverified claims with a grain of salt.
In a recent New York Times interview, Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann described Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as an “ambitious” story exploring religion and faith in institutions. It is about “what happens when you put your faith in different institutions,” Druckmann said, hinting at a narrative layered with philosophical depth.
The game has been in development for over four years, involving more than 250 Naughty Dog employees. With Tati Gabrielle starring as Jordan Mun, a bounty hunter, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composing the soundtrack, Intergalactic is shaping up to be Naughty Dog’s most ambitious project yet.
Despite the hype, the trailer has faced a lukewarm reception online, struggling to gain traction on YouTube. Critics have slammed the character design of protagonist Jordan Mun as “uninspired” or “too woke,” drawing parallels to past failures like Concord.
Others have taken issue with overt product placement and celebrity involvement, which some feel detract from Naughty Dog’s legacy of grounded, immersive storytelling.
Watch the announcement trailer for Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet below.
What do you think about this? Could Intergalactic benefit from a touch of horror, or would you prefer Naughty Dog to stick to its action-adventure roots? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
