Naughty Dog’s upcoming sci-fi adventure Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet has reportedly entered the final stages of development, according to studio head Neil Druckmann. The PlayStation exclusive, which was first announced during The Game Awards 2024, has remained largely under wraps, with fans still waiting for their first proper look at its gameplay.
Speaking at Comic Creators Block Party 2026, Druckmann confirmed that the game is now playable internally. The development team is currently concentrating on refining and polishing the overall experience ahead of its eventual release.
Although Naughty Dog has yet to share extensive gameplay footage, Druckmann also offered some insight into the project’s creative direction, including the anime and previous games that helped shape its identity.
Akira and Evangelion Inspire the Game’s Visual Identity
During the discussion, Druckmann highlighted classic anime titles such as Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion as major influences on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
These inspirations have helped shape the game’s visual presentation, storytelling approach, and philosophical themes. Druckmann also discussed the protagonist, Jordan A. Mun, noting that her appearance could easily fit into the world of Akira, particularly alongside the iconic character Shotaro Kaneda.
The anime influences appear to be an important part of Naughty Dog’s effort to establish a distinctive identity for its new science-fiction universe.
Naughty Dog Combines Lessons From Three Major Franchises
Druckmann also explained that the project draws upon the studio’s experience developing three major franchises: Jak and Daxter, Uncharted, and The Last of Us.
Each series contributes a different creative foundation. The fantasy and science-fiction elements of Jak and Daxter help inform the game’s world, while Uncharted provides inspiration for its action-adventure gameplay. Meanwhile, the more mature dramatic storytelling associated with The Last of Us influences its narrative direction.
Naughty Dog also aims to expand its gameplay systems while maintaining the cinematic presentation that has become a defining feature of its recent releases.
Full Reveal Planned for 2027
Despite the latest development update, players will still have to wait for a more substantial presentation. Naughty Dog previously confirmed plans to fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2027, including gameplay footage and additional story details.
For now, the confirmation that the game is playable internally and entering its polishing phase offers a new glimpse into its development progress. With its combination of anime influences, science-fiction worldbuilding, and Naughty Dog’s established storytelling approach, the project remains one of the studio’s most anticipated upcoming releases.
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