Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet appears to offer players a significantly greater degree of freedom compared to the studio's past projects. Reports suggest that the developers drew inspiration from Elden Ring, aiming to incorporate similar mechanics centered around open-world exploration. According to journalist Ben Hanson, the game is set on a vast single planet where players will unravel the mysteries of a lost civilization and explore a new religion that forms a central element of the narrative. Although it's not yet clear how closely the game will adhere to traditional open-world concepts, it's clear that the developers are moving away from the linear structures that characterized their previous works.
The Heretic Prophet marks the studio's first project where players will navigate the game world solo, without companions or allies. Neil Druckmann emphasizes that the studio's goal is to evoke a sense of solitude within an uncharted universe while deeply exploring themes of faith and religion. The story unfolds in an alternate future on the planet Sempiria, which has been isolated from the rest of the galaxy for over 600 years. It is here that bounty hunter Jordan Moon arrives as part of her contract.
Druckmann also notes that the game's development was influenced by titles such as Half-Life 2 and Monkey Island. This influence may lead to a departure from conventional guidance, shifting towards a storytelling approach where players must piece together the narrative fragments themselves.
The game was announced at TGA 2024, but a release date has yet to be disclosed.
