Santa Monica’s Sci-Fi Game Needs Combat That’s Nothing Like Intergalactic Battles

Among the impressive lineup of PlayStation first-party developers, Santa Monica Studio stands out for its remarkable consistency. This California-based team may not have churned out a vast number of games in its 26-year history, but nearly every release has garnered widespread praise. Since pivoting to focus exclusively on the God of War series in 2005, Santa Monica Studio has continuously evolved the franchise, keeping each installment fresh, from God of War III to the more recent God of War: Ragnarok. Rumor has it that their next venture will stray from the mythological path they’re known for and offer something entirely new.

In recent years, whispers in the gaming community suggest Santa Monica Studio is venturing into the realm of science fiction. The buzz began back in 2019, when Cory Barlog, director of the 2018 God of War, hinted via Twitter about a secret new project. By 2022, Barlog had confirmed he was indeed developing a new game at the studio, but details remained sparse. However, between cryptic job listings and comments from a former writer at the company, speculation is strong that Santa Monica’s next big offering will be a sci-fi adventure.

While details about “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s” plot are still under wraps, some believe its most intriguing mystery might already have an answer.

If the rumors hold true, Cory Barlog’s upcoming project will mark Santa Monica Studio’s first foray into science fiction since Kinetica launched in 2001. Interestingly, they aren’t alone in the PlayStation family stepping back into the sci-fi genre; Naughty Dog is reportedly embracing the future too. During The Game Awards 2024, Naughty Dog unveiled their upcoming third-person action-adventure, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet”. It promises to take players on a journey with a space bounty hunter exploring an alien world. Much like Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog hasn’t tackled a sci-fi game in quite a while, making “Intergalactic” a significant departure for them.

Breaking from their recent tradition, Naughty Dog’s “Intergalactic” is expected to spotlight melee combat rather than the gun-heavy gameplay seen in titles like The Last of Us Part II and the Uncharted series. In recent games, ranged combat took center stage, despite some melee mechanics. However, in “Intergalactic”, players will likely wield a red energy sword as their primary weapon, propelling the game in a new direction compared to Naughty Dog’s usual fare.

Santa Monica Studio’s rumored sci-fi project, which many anticipate to follow the action-adventure mold similar to “Intergalactic”, might choose a contrasting path. To differentiate itself, Santa Monica could lean into ranged combat—a shift from the melee combat that the studio is typically known for. This strategic pivot could showcase the studio’s adaptability and skill in a genre where it hasn’t traditionally operated, while also establishing its new game as something distinct from Naughty Dog’s melee-focused campaign.