Naughty Dog, the renowned studio behind iconic franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us, has recently unveiled its latest project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This announcement has sparked significant debate within the gaming community, particularly due to comparisons with the failed title Concord.
The trailer for Intergalactic debuted at the Game Awards, garnering mixed reactions.As of now, the PlayStation version has 587,000 views, while Naughty Dog’s trailer has 449,000 views.Both trailers are experiencing a negative like-to-dislike ratio, with Sony’s trailer at 38,000 likes and 51,000 dislikes, and Naughty Dog’s at 29,000 likes and 40,000 dislikes.Comments were disabled on Naughty Dog’s trailer, indicating awareness of potential backlash.
The lead character, Jordan A. Mun, portrayed by Tati Gabrielle, has drawn criticism for her design.Critics have labeled the design as “too woke,” drawing parallels to Concord, which faced backlash for similar reasons.The character’s appearance has been described as less attractive and lighter-skinned than Gabrielle, raising questions about representation and design choices.
The game features notable product placements, including brands like Porsche and Adidas, which some players find jarring.The inclusion of recognizable celebrities, such as Kumail Nanjiani and Tony Dalton, has also been compared to Hideo Kojima’s recent works, where celebrity involvement has become a trend.
While the aesthetic of Intergalactic has been praised for its “cassette futurism” vibe, concerns remain about the character design and gameplay.The game is set on Simperia, a mysterious planet, and aims to blend 80s nostalgia with sci-fi elements.The soundtrack, composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is anticipated to enhance the game’s atmosphere.
As Intergalactic approaches its release, the controversy surrounding its character design, product placements, and celebrity involvement continues to fuel discussions among gamers. While the aesthetic and sound design show promise, the concerns about character representation and gameplay mechanics will be crucial in determining the game’s success.