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, screenwriter of 28 Days Later, Druckmann revealed the game has been in development for four years. He candidly discussed the team's approach, referencing the polarizing reception of The Last of Us Part II: "We made certain creative decisions that got us a lot of hate… so let's make a game about faith and religion."

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Screenshots

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, starring Jordan A. Mun as Tati Gabrielle, unfolds in an alternate historical timeline featuring a prominent, evolved religion. The game centers on Jordan's character attempting to become the first person in centuries to leave the planet where this religion is central. Druckmann hinted at the core gameplay: "This religion is confined to one planet; then, all communication ceases. You play a bounty hunter pursuing her, who crash-lands on this planet. Unlike our previous games, you're truly alone, lost and confused, needing to unravel the planet's history to escape—nobody has been heard from in 600 years."

Recent news on The Last of Us Season 2 reveals the return of spores, omitted from Season 1. At SXSW 2025, Druckmann confirmed an escalation in the number and types of infected, along with a change in the infection vector: "Season 1 introduced tendrils; this trailer shows airborne elements." Additionally, actress Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby, discussed the challenge of avoiding online reactions to her performance.