Combat has played a key role in the vast majority of Naughty Dog’s games, with even the mascot platformerCrash Bandicootgiving players a spin attack and the ability to jump on top of enemies. Third-person shooting mechanics then became a core part of Naughty Dog’s formula, withJak and Daxter,Uncharted, andThe Last of Usall embracing shooter gameplay. But Naughty Dog never forgot its melee combat origins, and it seems likeIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophetis tapping into those roots.
Not much has been revealed aboutIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, but its December announcement trailer and promotional art suggest that the game’s combat will have a melee focus, with player-character Jordan Mun wielding a red energy sword in both. Melee combat can be some of the most satisfying in gaming, with it provoking direct feedback from an enemy’s character model.The Last of Ushas already laid some strong foundations forIntergalactic’s melee combat, but there’s one potential improvement on its way that has little to do with mechanics.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s Soundtrack Could Enhance Its Combat
Intergalactic’s Soundtrack Is Destined for Greatness
The founder, lead vocalist, and main songwriter of Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor is an American musician who’s worked very closely with English composer Atticus Ross for around two decades now. Along with continuing to produce music together under the Nine Inch Nails banner, Reznor and Ross have worked on a wealth of movie and TV soundtracks over the years, includingaward-winning works likeThe Social Network, HBO’sWatchmen,Gone Girl, andChallengers.
ThoughTrent Reznor and Atticus Rossdon’t have many video game credits under their belt (Reznor made the theme music forCall of Duty: Black Ops 2and Ross worked onFIFA 17), they’ve more than proved themselves to be excellent composers, and their trademark fast-paced electronic beats will fitIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s Sci-Fi setting perfectly.
On top of an original score composed by Reznor and Ross,Intergalactic: Heretic Prophetwill likely include some licensed music in its soundtrack.Intergalactic’s reveal trailer ends with protagonist Jordan Mun using their retro-futuristic Sony sound system to play the Pet Shop Boys' “It’s a Sin,” a classic 1987 bop that acts as a nod toIntergalactic’s religious narrative themes. Given how many CDs are left on the rack of Mun’s sound system, it seems likely more licensed tracks will be dotted throughoutIntergalactic.
How Intergalactic’s Music Could Enhance Its Melee Combat
Few details are currently available forIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and it’s not insignificant that one of those few details is confirmation that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are attached to compose. It seems very possible thatIntergalactic’s soundtrackwill play an important role during gameplay, likely accentuating the combat by accompanying the player’s swings and stabs with frenetic techno melodies and basslines.
The use of licensed music could also pave the way for some incredibly memorable combat sequences, just as long as the chosen track fits the action on-screen. These soundtrack elements will also likely be accompanied by some first-class audio design, which is sure to make each slash of Mun’s energy sword sound suitably futuristic and punchy.
