Naughty Dog recently unveiled its latest intellectual property, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, during The Game Awards 2024. The announcement came with an eye-catching trailer that hinted at a deep exploration of the science fiction genre. While specific gameplay details remain somewhat under wraps, the trailer unmistakably showcases the game’s commitment to celebrating classic sci-fi influences. One of the most prominent inspirations appears to be the renowned 1988 anime film, Akira.
The trailer presents a compelling visual narrative featuring a brooding bounty hunter navigating a cluttered spaceship, reminiscent of the atmosphere seen in the iconic series Cowboy Bebop. This stylistic choice may reflect additional influences on Naughty Dog’s creative vision. However, it is the striking visuals reminiscent of Akira that take center stage, indicating a potential thematic exploration within the game’s storyline. The juxtaposition of a cosmic setting against these artistic homages could reveal deeper narrative layers as the story unfolds.
Artistic Homages: Notable Parallels to Akira in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s Trailer
Character Design: Jordan A. Mun Channeling Akira’s Kaneda
The protagonist, Jordan, is depicted wearing a distinctive cropped red jacket with a striking collar, deliberately evoking the silhouette of Shotaro Kaneda from Akira. The similarity is not just in shape; Jordan sports a prominent graphic on the back of her jacket. While Kaneda’s emblem signifies his affiliation with the Neo-Tokyo motorcycle gang, the knight chess piece emblem on Jordan’s attire suggests a connection to a distinct group within her universe.
Hints from the trailer indicate that Jordan might once have been affiliated with a bounty hunter collective known as the Five Aces. If their internal dynamics mirror those of Kaneda’s group during Tetsuo’s turmoil in Akira, players can anticipate a narrative laden with emotional depth and complexity.
Retro-Futuristic Nostalgia: The CD Jukebox Connection
As Jordan sets course for Sempiria, she engages her ship’s music system to play a song by the Pet Shop Boys—a nod to nostalgia. This scene parallels an early moment in Akira, where Kaneda is seen manipulating a similar CD player. Although there are minor design differences in the button interface, both scenarios evoke a type of “Cassette Futurism”rooted in 1980s technology, establishing an immediate connection to retro aesthetics.
Visual Echoes: Jordan’s Spaceship and Kaneda’s Motorcycle
While Jordan diverges from Kaneda’s biker roots, her sleek red spaceship shares striking visual parallels with Kaneda’s motorcycle. The trailer captures her as she engages the thrusters, igniting the ship’s speed in a manner reminiscent of Kaneda’s iconic motorcycle rev-up scene. Although the scale may differ, the evocative imagery continues to resonate, creating an exciting visual language.
While Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet‘s trailer may not directly replicate the famous “Akira slide,”its action sequences and dynamics echo those of the Capsules gang, amplifying the raw visual energy that Akira is celebrated for. As development progresses, it remains to be seen how profoundly these influences will shape the game’s storytelling.
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