Science fiction has always been a fertile source of inspiration for video games, and it seems likeNaughty Dogmight be turning to this popular genre for one of its upcoming games. More closely associated with titles like the award-winningThe Last of Usand the belovedUnchartedseries, typical science fiction isn’t necessarily something players will think of when it comes toNaughty Dog. However, if rumors are to be believed, the developer might have a futuristic release in the works, which could compete with other prominent releases like Bethesda’s highly-anticipatedStarfield.
Although the science fiction genre isn’t exactly sparse when it comes to video games, there are ways thatNaughty Dog’s rumored gamecould differentiate itself from other similar releases. Bethesda’sStarfieldhas certainly piqued a lot of interest and caused many a discussion within the gaming community, but the upcoming RPG has a very specific take on the sci-fi genre, and Naughty Dog’s own game could easily go in a different direction. This could provide players with a vastly different experience and veer away fromStarfield’s hard sci-fi approach.
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Starfield’s Approach To Hard Sci-fi
Several things probably come to mind when players think about science fiction games. There’s normally a bunch of aliens, the chance to fly a spaceship, and potentially some laser-filled combat on a variety of exotic planets that are just begging to be explored. However, like most genres, science fiction relates to a multitude of different interpretations and could be anything from an in-depth examination of humanity’s place in the universe to a fun-filled space romp with colorful creatures to annihilate. There isn’t a right or wrong way to present science fiction, andStarfield’s hard sci-fi approachhas plenty of potential, even if it might differ slightly from what fans expect from a game of that genre.
Starfieldis attempting to straddle the line between realistic and boundary-pushing, with a focus on technology that could be plausible as well as futuristic. While players will be exploring a different kind of human race that has found a place for itself among the stars,Starfieldwon’t be the typical sci-fi adventurewith high-octane action as gamers have shoot-outs with aliens and discover pre-existing interstellar communities. Bethesda’s upcoming title is more concerned with realism and provides a considered look at how humanity could reasonably function if it spread itself to other planets and tried to co-exist across other star systems. This is an approach that will appeal to many players, but there’s also room for a completely different type of sci-fi adventure – a niche that Naughty Dog’s rumored game could potentially fill.
Naughty Dog’s Rumored Sci-fi Title
Naughty Dog has built up an impressive library of releases in recent years, with its critically acclaimedThe Last of Usseries getting a prestigious and well-received TV adaption and itsUnchartedfranchise coming to a spectacular end with its fourth mainline installment. Due to its success, it’s safe to say that any new venture from the developer will garner a lot of player interest ahead of launch, even if it’s a new IP and not a continuation of one of its more established series. Given thetrend of recent Naughty Dog gamesto focus on strong character-driven storytelling, this could bode well for a sci-fi game that could take the narrative in an endless array of interesting directions.
Starfield’s hard sci-fi approach certainly has its merits, but a Naughty Dog game could focus on a space-faring community with unique and compelling characters that showcased the studio’s talent for design.The Last of Us' Clickers took the trope of mutated and infected bodies and created something both beautiful and horrifying, and taking this into a sci-fi setting where so much more could be possible could be out of this world. Not a lot is currently known aboutNaughty Dog’s yet-to-be-confirmed game, but while its release may be a few years away, it will inevitably be compared to science fiction titles that come before it. WhileStarfieldhas the hard sci-fi sphere covered, Naughty Dog could pursue something much more fun and fantastical.
