Druckmann Wants New Naughty Dog Game to Leave Players Lost

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 discussed the four-year development process, acknowledging the polarizing reaction to The Last of Us Part II. He jokingly framed Intergalactic as a deliberate shift towards a less controversial theme: faith and religion.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Screenshots

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

Druckmann hinted at the game's narrative: "This religion exists on a single planet, and then all communication ceases," he revealed. "You play a bounty hunter pursuing her, who crash-lands on this planet. Unlike our previous games, you're utterly alone, lost in a place where you're unsure of the history, the people, everything. To leave—no one has been heard from in 600 years—you must unravel the planet's mysteries."

Recent news regarding The Last of Us Season 2 confirms the return of spores, absent from Season 1. Showrunners Druckmann and Mazin announced this at SXSW 2025, highlighting an escalation in both the number and types of infected, as well as the infection's spread. Druckmann explained the shift: "Season 1 introduced tendrils, a new element. The trailer shows airborne elements, signifying a more advanced stage." Additionally, actress Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, discussed the challenges of navigating online reactions to her portrayal.