The Last of Us Director Neil Druckmann Wants Naughty Dog's New Game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet to Make You Feel 'Really Lost and Confused'

Neil Druckmann, director of The Last of Us, has offered new insights into Naughty Dog's upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a conversation with Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later, Druckmann revealed the game has been in development for four years. He jokingly acknowledged the polarizing reaction to The Last of Us Part II, stating their approach with Intergalactic was to create something less divisive, focusing on themes of faith and religion.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Screenshots

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Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, starring Jordan A. Mun as Tati Gabrielle, unfolds in an alternate history featuring a prominent, evolved religion. The game centers on Jordan's character, who must utilize her skills to become the first person in centuries to leave the planet's orbit.

Druckmann teased the narrative: The religion is confined to a single planet, where communication abruptly ceases. Players assume the role of a bounty hunter pursuing Tati's character, who crash-lands on this isolated world. Unlike previous Naughty Dog games, players will experience a profound sense of isolation and mystery, struggling to understand the planet's history and inhabitants. Escape requires unraveling the planet's secrets—a challenge considering the lack of contact for approximately 600 years.

Recent news reveals that spores, absent from The Last of Us Season 1, will return in Season 2. Showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin confirmed this, indicating an escalation in both the number and types of infected, along with a change in the infection vector. Druckmann highlighted the introduction of airborne elements, contrasting with Season 1's unique tendril-based spread. Additionally, actress Kaitlyn Dever discussed her role as Abby, admitting to the difficulty of avoiding online reactions to her performance.