Naughty Dog's Revolutionary New IP Set to Shatter Gaming Norms

Naughty Dog, known for its exceptional game titles, has gained immense praise over the years. The recent adaptation of The Last of Us by HBO has only elevated its reputation even more. As the development studio approaches its fortieth anniversary, its game design approach has undergone various transformations. These changes have occurred in terms of mechanics, style, genre, and tone. While Naughty Dog has consistently explored darker themes in its games, featuring photo-realistic depictions, rumors suggest that their upcoming IP might deviate from this pattern and return to their roots.

Established in 1984, Naughty Dog collaborated with Sony, the publisher, to create exceptional games like Crash Bandicoot and the Jak and Daxter series during the 90s and early 2000s. These games incorporated more cartoonish characters, although Jak and Daxter, in particular, introduced elements of fantastical violence, earning it a T rating. Although the story of Jak and Daxter delved into dark and challenging themes such as experimentation and imprisonment, the game's visual style made it more accessible to younger audiences. However, Naughty Dog's future ventures would witness a departure from this approach.

Naughty Dog's Next IP May Dial Back Dark Tones Following The Last of Us Part 2

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune debuted three years after the conclusion of Jak and Daxter, initiating Naughty Dog's tale of Nate, Sully, and Elena in their quest for treasure. The series quickly gained recognition, with four mainline games and a few spin-offs that gradually improved their cinematic elements and graphic quality. While the games incorporated a combination of platforming, third-person exploration, and shooting, the inclusion of the latter raised questions about the games' depiction of violence. Despite Nathan Drake's high body count, his charismatic and witty personality helped balance the overall tone.

Naughty Dog ventured into The Last of Us, which demonstrated the company's commitment to hyper-realism and mature themes. Released in 2013, the first game's gritty and somber nature was much more intense compared to Uncharted. The game's stunningly crafted environments, coupled with its brutal and relentless portrayal of violence, resonated strongly with audiences, although its explicit content led to a mature ESRB rating. The game fearlessly depicted the horrors of a post-apocalyptic world, setting the stage for the controversial reception of its second installment.

Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part 2 went to great lengths to emphasize its dark tone, heavily featuring acts of murder. The game showcased Naughty Dog's impressive character models, contributing to the intensity and brutality of the portrayed deaths. By exploring various methods of killing and being killed, The Last of Us Part 2 pushed the boundaries of its subject matter through its characters and story. However, speculation suggests that Naughty Dog's next project could take a different approach, delving into the realm of science fiction.

A science fiction game created by Naughty Dog may signal a return to their roots, adopting a more fantastical approach. While it is unlikely that the company will completely abandon their signature hyper-realism, as it has become an integral part of their brand, there is potential for new non-human adversaries or a plot centered around exploration, deviating from the trend of increasingly mature narratives. Although the upcoming IP may still explore dark themes, a shift away from the level of grittiness witnessed in The Last of Us Part 2 could offer a refreshing change of pace, breaking away from the patterns established by the company in recent years.

The Last of Us Part 2 is available now for the PS4.