Jabril GoodnerI won’t get into all the controversy and rage that initially surrounded Intergalactic, the new game from Naughty Dog that was first showcased at The Game Awards four months ago. The game still isn’t out, and I’d like to reserve my final judgment on whether or not it’s good until release. Only then can I properly experience the gameplay loop, narrative, and overall universe the developers have crafted.
What I will say so far is this: if you accept the premise of the character and the world as presented in the trailer, the game actually looks really cool. There are obvious nods to the classic anime Akira, which has become the sci-fi mood board of all mood boards. Akira is widely cited as inspiration for countless projects, from The Matrix to Kanye West’s “Stronger” music video. It’s a constant point of reference in pop culture for its stylistic take on the cyberpunk genre.
You might be tired of Akira references in modern media. For example, the main character of Intergalactic, Jordan A. Mun, is seen in the trailer wearing a red jacket similar to Shotaro Kaneda’s iconic one. Personally, I don’t mind the reference.
When paired with the incredible music composed by none other than Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the game becomes even more intriguing. Reznor and Ross, best known for their work with Nine Inch Nails, are masters of dark, experimental, moody synth production. I’m a huge admirer of their work. So, combining their sinister, final-boss energy with nostalgic ’80s synthwave references and the classic cyberpunk anime aesthetic of Akira, layered on top of the kind of action-adventure gameplay we expect from Naughty Dog, makes this game seem incredibly promising.
Does the trailer confirm the game will be good? No, it doesn’t. Could the narrative end up being disappointing? Sure, that’s possible. But I’m willing to give this title a shot. I’d say don’t write it off too quickly. The art direction is on point, the sound design is compelling, and the gameplay pedigree is solid. Just look at this shot from the trailer showcasing an absolutely stunning crimson red Porsche 984 Tempest NDX spaceship, complete with its own jukebox-style Sony CD disc changer—another homage to Akira.
Honestly, just writing about it is getting me hyped again. If Naughty Dog executes this correctly, they might have a video game masterpiece on their hands—one that could make all the early skeptics and online critics eat their words.
I’m in, I’m in, I’m in.
