The Game Awards recently showcased the world premiere of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a fresh venture from Naughty Dog, well-known for their iconic titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Crash Bandicoot. Stepping into a sci-fi realm, this game introduces players to Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter navigating the peculiar orbit of Sempiria, a distant planet.
10 Ancient Sempirian Scripture
A Crumbled Civilization From 1986
The intriguing aspect of the game lies in a notable passage dated 1986. The trailer’s aesthetic, complete with synthwave music and retro sci-fi designs, suggests a unique circumstance allowing 1980s influences to persist over millennia. While “Sempirian”is a fictional creation, its phonetic similarity to “Sumerian,” one of humanity’s oldest civilizations, hints at a narrative of rediscovering a pivotal historical culture within the game.
9 Newspaper Headlines
Limited Resources For Space Travel?
The trailer introduces an array of newspapers, magazines, and poker chips strewn across a table. Among these, images of high-end spaceships indicate that Jordan has an affinity for fine vessels and holds her own ship in great esteem, suggesting a protectiveness over her prized possession.
A notable headline, “The Price of Crystal,” implies that crystals might be a crucial and potentially scarce resource within the galaxy. Given their association with spaceship magazines, it’s plausible to deduce that crystals could serve as a vital fuel source. This scarcity could lead to conflicts, particularly involving a notorious group known as the Five Aces.
8 The Five Aces
A Missing Criminal Organization
In Jordan’s ship, a detailed investigation board centers around tracking the elusive Five Aces. The extensive clippings imply a long-standing and potentially personal quest for Jordan against a backdrop of serious crimes, including the mysterious disappearance of a safety deposit ship. Her determination to find this group suggests a deep-rooted vendetta.
The investigation board illustrates aliases connected to the Five Aces—a mix of three men and two women—but lacks tangible leads. Historical accounts hint at a previous reign of terror, but recently, the group has vanished from public scrutiny. Jordan’s relentless pursuit is prompted by this sudden disappearance, further complicating her perilous venture to Sempiria.
7 The Luxury Spaceship
The Last Known Ship Of The Five Aces
The specifics regarding a large, luxurious spaceship on Jordan’s investigation board suggest a potential connection to the Five Aces. One advertisement hints at this craft being the epitome of opulence, akin to a luxury cruise liner. This hints that this vessel may have played a significant role in the Five Aces’ operations and possibly is where their disappearance began.
With several images of this grand spaceship indicative of its importance, the narrative might see Jordan confronting its remains on Sempiria, intensifying the stakes of her mission as she explores the consequences of the past.
6 Kumail Nanjiani as Colin Graves
A Charming Actor For An Important Role
As Jordan pursues her target, she sets her sights on Colin Graves, a member of the Five Aces played by the talented Kumail Nanjiani. Known for his comedic background, particularly from Silicon Valley, Nanjiani’s charm may foreshadow a multidimensional role in Intergalactic.
As both characters inevitably become stranded on Sempiria, they may be forced to collaborate, potentially nurturing an unlikely alliance crucial for navigating their treacherous environment.
5 Cowboy Bebop’s Influence
Bounty Hunters In Red Ships
The visuals within the Intergalactic trailer are underscored by its palpable connection to renowned anime, most notably Cowboy Bebop. The design of Jordan’s sleek red Porsche spaceship prominently recalls Spike Spiegel’s iconic craft, the Swordfish II, marked by its aerodynamic form and striking hue. To deepen this connection, retro anime playing on Jordan’s onboard TV echoes the vibrant action sequences characteristic of Cowboy Bebop.
Since its premiere in 1998, Cowboy Bebop has left an indelible mark on the science fiction genre, infusing narratives with bounty hunters driven by personal obsessions. In a similar vein, Jordan’s mission is rife with risks as she embarks on a dangerous pursuit of a member from the Five Aces, reflecting the moral ambiguity that defines the story.
4 Akira And Interstella 5555
More Anime Influences For This Sci-Fi Game
Alongside Cowboy Bebop, elements from Akira have also influenced the visual style of Intergalactic. Notably, Jordan sports a red jacket reminiscent of Shotaro Kaneda’s iconic attire, characterized by its cropped cut and distinct emblem. Such design choices create a visual homage to prominent anime figures.
Additionally, the game’s title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, harkens back to classic video game naming conventions, sharing similarities with Interstella 5555. This collaboration between Daft Punk and Toei Animation drew inspiration from earlier anime styles and plots, establishing a kinship between these creative works.
3 1980s Film Influences
Alien, Star Wars, And Blade Runner
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is rich with visual nods to 1980s cinema, drawing inspiration from films like Alien, Blade Runner, and to a lesser extent, Star Wars. Elements such as the retro technology featured in Jordan’s ship evoke the look and feel of these iconic movies, with design cues that resonate deeply with fans of the genre.
The narrative follows a familiar trope of a hero on the hunt for an essential target, mirroring the pursuits seen in Blade Runner. Visually, the living quarters aboard Jordan’s ship echo the aesthetic seen within the interiors of ships in both Alien and Blade Runner, filled with warm white lighting and sleek designs.
2 Product Placement
What’s Cool Stays Cool For Centuries
Intergalactic embraces nostalgic branding through the strategic placement of recognizable logos from brands like Sony and Adidas. This incorporation of retro aesthetics heightens the game’s nostalgic appeal, as it draws on the cultural resonance of the 1980s. A retro Sony CD player featured on Jordan’s ship captures the essence of this era, blending perfectly with the game’s visual identity.
Furthermore, Jordan’s Adidas sneakers contribute to the ‘80s cool factor, while the luxurious Porsche-starship reinforces her character’s lavish tastes and passion for speed, enhancing players’ understanding of her devotion to her craft.
1 Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin”
A Needle Drop With A Message
Music plays a pivotal role in any cinematic context, and the inclusion of “It’s a Sin” by Pet Shop Boys in the trailer offers both thematic and emotional depth. Featuring a countdown suggesting a spaceship launch ties seamlessly into the sci-fi theme, while the lyrics reflect on moral ambiguity, echoing Jordan’s dilemma as a bounty hunter.
As her journey unfolds, the lyrics resonate with her character, emphasizing the gray areas within her life choices. The nostalgia associated with Pet Shop Boys not only enhances the game’s retro vibe but also underscores the complexity of Jordan’s motivations in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Source: Naughty Dog/YouTube
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