Dandridge has worked with Naughty Dog on many projects after she first played the role of Marlene in the original 2013 release of The Last of Us. We saw her reprising the role in The Last of Us Part 2, as well as HBO’s live-action adaptation. Outside of Naughty Dog’s projects, Dandridge has also worked on other major games, including the role of Alyx Vance in Half-Life 2 and its two episodic sequels.

Reports have indicated that Naughty Dog is quite far along in development, with one indicating that the company might be aiming to release the game in mid-2027. However, another report from December alleged that the project demanded weeks of mandatory overtime thanks to “several missed deadlines”. This overtime was reportedly an effort by Naughty Dog to “get the production back on track”, with “some teams” also having put in “long hours” to complete the game’s debut trailer.

Actor Tony Dalton, known for roles like Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul and Jack Duquesne in MCU projects, has also been confirmed to be playing a role in Intergalactic. In an interview from January, he discussed working with Druckmann on HBO’s The Last of Us, and how the two became friends, leading to his role in Intergalactic. Describing the process itself, Dalton said that portraying a video game character was “like nothing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“It’s crazy. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done in my life. These guys are top of the line. You put on these skin-tight suits with dots all over the place–all over your face and everything. They have a whole set. Huge, huge set. It’s amazing,” Dalton said.

Voice actor Troy Baker has also previously spoken about working on Druckmann, and revealed that they often butt heads with each other because of how passionate both of them are.

“We did two weeks ago, man. Neil and I will always, it’s our vibe,” said Baker in November. “We just love to butt up against each other. We were doing a table read, and I was literally like, ‘Why are you giving me s*** right now? I’m asking you a question!’ And everybody else is like, ‘Our mom and dad are fighting, are we still going to Disneyland?’ We’re fine. We’re fine!”

Intergalactic is being developed for PS5. Druckmann has referred to the project as being the “most ambitious,” “most expansive,” and “most expensive” Naughty Dog game yet. “We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders. I’ve said this before, but I really mean it, I’m really feeling it right now: It’s the most ambitious game we’ve ever made. It’s the most expansive game we’ve ever made, maybe the most expensive, by the time we finish it.”

In an interview with Culture Wave Media, Dalton discussed having worked with director Neil Druckmann on The Last of Us adaptation, where he played Joel’s father, and how the latter expressed interest in continuing to work with the actor. This resulted in Dalton’s role in Intergalactic, which also happens to be the first time he will be in a game.

Describing the process, Dalton said it was “like nothing I’ve ever done in my life,” pointing out all the advanced technology used to capture his likeness and mannerisms through motion capture suits.

“It’s crazy. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done in my life. These guys are top of the line. You put on these skin-tight suits with dots all over the place–all over your face and everything. They have a whole set. Huge, huge set. It’s amazing,” Dalton said.

While what character Dalton will be portraying in Intergalactic is currently unknown, in the interview, he noted that Druckmann’s pitch referred to his character as being “one of the leads”. On working with Druckmann, Dalton said that he is “the sweetest guy in the world. He’s great.”

Voice actor Troy Baker had also previously spoken about working with Druckmann, and how the two often butt heads with each other because of the passion they feel for the project.

“We did two weeks ago, man. Neil and I will always, it’s our vibe,” said Baker in November. “We just love to butt up against each other. We were doing a table read, and I was literally like, ‘Why are you giving me s*** right now? I’m asking you a question!’ And everybody else is like, ‘Our mom and dad are fighting, are we still going to Disneyland?’ We’re fine. We’re fine!”

Little has been revealed about Intergalactic since it was first unveiled all the way back in 2024. Druckmann has, however, described it as being the studio’s “most ambitious” project so far.

“We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders. I’ve said this before, but I really mean it, I’m really feeling it right now: It’s the most ambitious game we’ve ever made. It’s the most expansive game we’ve ever made, maybe the most expensive, by the time we finish it.”

While the studio has been largely quiet, reports have indicated it may be falling behind schedule. One noted that the development team has been working eight more hours each week since October. This overtime work is because the project has “several missed deadlines”, and the team is trying to “get the production back on track”.

A more recent report has indicated that Naughty Dog might be aiming for a mid-2027 release for Intergalactic on PS5.

Saros (Release Date: April 30)

Saros is a true spiritual successor to Returnal, taking everything that worked and doubling down on it while introducing some clever design tactics to make it feel more inclusive. Early teases suggest another fast-paced, mechanically demanding action experience, but this time with a stronger focus on world-building and character progression that stays in between runs. With Housemarque’s proven ability to blend tight gameplay with striking visuals, Saros is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing PS5 exclusives on the horizon.

Intergalactic

Naughty Dog’s brand-new IP, Intergalactic marks a major shift for the studio known for grounded storytelling. Set in a retro-futuristic sci-fi universe, the game looks to blend cinematic storytelling with expansive exploration and combat systems that are a lot more dense than what we are used to. While details remain scarce at the moment, Naughty Dog’s pedigree alone makes this a project worth watching closely and we will be observing it more closely in the coming weeks and months.

Marvel’s Wolverine (Release Date: Late 2026)

Insomniac Games has cemented its reputation as one of the best names in Sony’s first-party roster of developers, and Marvel’s Wolverine is the next big step for the team. Set to release in 2026, Marvel’s Wolverine will allegedly focus on a more personal narrative, and the gameplay trailers show some amazing and fast combat which comes together to make it one of the most highly-anticipated games of the year.

Phantom Blade Zero (Release Date: September 9)

Phantom Blade Zero is all about defeating enemies and taking part in lightning-fast combat encounters, and doing it all with absolute style. It blends traditional Chinese martial arts with a dark and gritty aesthetic, and the game seems poised to deliver fluid swordplay that emphasizes precision and timing over swinging flashy combos and racking in multipliers. Unlike many Soulslikes, Phantom Blade Zero appears to focus more on speed and spectacle without sacrificing depth which is a rather interesting premise. If it delivers on its promise of seamless combat animations and stylish encounters, this could be a standout action title for PS5 players craving something fresh.

Nioh 3 (Release Date: February 6)

Nioh has gone on to become a highly successful Souls like series, and Nioh 3 seems poised to continue on that goodwill. It’s largely built around the same combat framework, but Nioh 3 introduces the addition of both Samurai and Ninja combat styles which not only add more variety but should also add an element of personal expression to the meticulous dance of dodges. The visuals and art direction look striking, and Nioh 3 is definitely on our radar when it comes out on Feb 6, 2026.

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls looks to bring Marvel’s iconic characters into a more mechanically focused fighting game framework. Rather than chasing realism, the game leans into stylized visuals and fast-paced combat that’s inspired by classic arcade fighters. The combat will unsurprisingly focus on tight inputs, flashy supers, and tag-based mechanics that reward both mechanical prowess and game knowledge.

Fairgame$

Fairgame$ is Sony’s bold attempt at a competitive, multiplayer-focused experience built around high-stakes heists and player-driven chaos. Developed by Haven Studios, the game emphasizes planning, teamwork, and adaptability rather than pure gunplay. Each match is designed to create unpredictable scenarios where things can go wrong very quickly, forcing players to think on their feet. Its vibrant presentation and stylish tone give it a distinct identity, and Fairgame$ has the potential to stand out if its systems encourage memorable, emergent moments.

Ballad of Antara

Ballad of Antara is a dark fantasy action RPG that blends Souls-like sensibilities with a narrative that’s a lot easier to digest. The game’s dual-reality mechanic lets players to shift between different versions of the same world, and that adds an interesting layer to both exploration and combat. Encounters appear deliberate and punishing without feeling overly restrictive, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility. Combined with stellar art direction and ominous atmosphere, Ballad of Antara looks like a title that could become a huge hit.

Arknights: Endfield (Release Date: January 22)

Arknights: Endfield marks a significant evolution for the franchise, morphing from its mobile tower-defense roots into a full-scale action RPG experience. The game features real-time combat, squad-based mechanics, and expansive environments that place a greater emphasis on exploration. Its already a big hit on the PC, and we are hoping to see a similarly positive response on the PS5 when it comes out in January this year.

Cairn (Release Date: January 29)

Cairn takes a refreshingly grounded approach by focusing almost entirely on climbing and survival. It’s completely devoid of any combat, and the game challenges players through careful resource management, environmental awareness, and precise movement. Every ascent feels dangerous, with mistakes carrying real consequences. It flaunts a rather tasteful art direction which gives the game a unique look and feel. Cairn may not appeal to everyone, but for players looking for something slower, more methodical, and deeply immersive, it stands out as one of the more unique PS5 exclusives in development.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Release Date: February 26)

Tokyo Xtreme Racer’s return brings back a style of racing that prioritizes atmosphere and one-on-one rivalries over flashy spectacle. Set on Japanese highways, the game focuses on high-speed duels, vehicle customization, and learning the nuances of each track – but it’s all quite nostalgic. On PS5, the series looks poised to modernize its visuals while retaining the moody tone that made it so memorable in the first place.

Brocade-Clad Guard

Brocade-Clad Guard immediately stands out thanks to its striking art direction and historical inspirations. Drawing from ancient Chinese aesthetics, the game emphasizes elegant yet deadly combat encounters against some of the fiercest enemies in the land. Swordplay is all about deliberate and disciplined, rewarding timing and positioning over reckless aggression. While details remain relatively scarce, the game’s visual identity alone makes it one of the more intriguing action RPGs on the list.

Exiledge

Another game from PlayStation’s China Hero Initiative, Exiledge is shaping up to be a slick action RPG with an emphasis on speed and fluidity. Combat revolves around being an aggressive warrior, encouraging players to chain attacks, abilities, and movement into seamless encounters. The futuristic aesthetic and vibrant visual effects give it a strong identity, helping it stand apart from the barrage of traditional fantasy RPGs.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake

The remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remains one of the most anticipated PS5 exclusives, even after a prolonged and uncertain development cycle. Rebuilding such a beloved RPG for modern hardware is a massive undertaking, and while details on the actual implementation remain scant for now – but updated visuals, refined combat systems, and fully voiced characters could breathe new life into its iconic story and open this experience up to a whole new set of fans.

Physint

Physint marks Hideo Kojima’s long-awaited return to the stealth-action genre, and expectations are understandably sky-high. Described as a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid, the game aims to blend cinematic storytelling with deep, systemic stealth gameplay. While concrete information remains tightly under wraps, Physint is very much in a position to serve as a major tentpole release for PlayStation.

4:LOOP

4:LOOP is an experimental sci-fi title built entirely around repetition and discover where each run challenges players to learn more about the world and its systems. Rather than relying on traditional progression, the game encourages mastery through knowledge and experimentation. This structure allows for organic storytelling and player-driven problem-solving. If executed well, 4:LOOP could offer a deeply engaging experience that rewards curiosity and patience, standing apart from more conventional action-driven releases on the platform.

Psycho Dead

Psycho Dead puts players in the shoes of a little girl who has to escape from a secret laboratory that’s filled with all sorts of bizarre creatures. The game flaunts great use of environmental storytelling, using the surroundings to tell a story rather than relying on pure exposition. There are stalker enemies in the vein of something like Mr. X, psychic powers that can be used against enemies, and puzzles that need to be solved in order to progress – so fans of the genre should definitely check this one out.

Parasite: Mutant

Parasite Mutant blends action and horror through a mutation-driven progression system that allows players to evolve their abilities by absorbing enemy traits. This creates an interesting risk-reward dynamic, as greater power often comes at a visible cost. Combat appears fast and aggressive, complemented by a gritty, body-horror-inspired aesthetic. The game’s tone feels unapologetically dark, setting it apart from more polished action titles. If its mechanics are balanced well, Parasite Mutant could deliver a uniquely brutal and memorable PS5 experience.

Loulan The Cursed Sand

Loulan The Cursed Sand draws inspiration from ancient myths and desert folklore, and presents a hauntingly beautiful world filled with mystery. Played in an isometric perspective, the moment-to-moment gameplay revolves around crawling through enemy-infested dungeons and taking part in free-flowing combat that’s just as deliberate as it is flashy. The art direction on offer is also something worth noting, and Loulan The Cursed Sand does stand out amongst the barrage of other RPGs that are set to come out in the near future.

Project The Perceiver

Currently in development at 17ZHE, Project: The Perceiver is all about using different masks to gain special powers in battle and use them to conquer the fiercest enemies of the land. It operates on a Sekiro-esque framework where the power fantasy of being a warrior has to be rightfully earned, and the visuals look really breathtaking. Project: The Perceiver has a lot of great things on its sleeve, and it’s definitely something that could end up being really big if it plays out correctly.

“Target” is the keyword, though. Naughty Dog will reportedly outline its schedule for 2026 to staff after the holidays, and there are concerns about overtime worsening as development progresses. Given the studio’s history of crunch, the past several weeks, with employees logging an extra eight hours weekly, could be a sign of things to come.

The purported release window is interesting, however, given that Sony’s PS6 console (which includes a portable handheld) is also allegedly targeting 2027. If Intergalactic does launch in that time frame, it could be a repeat of 2020, where The Last of Us Part 2 arrived in June, months before the PS5’s launch.

This is apparently due to “several missed deadlines” and an effort to “get the production back on track.” It’s not the first time for Intergalactic either – “some teams” put in “long hours” to complete last year’s trailer.

For the past several weeks, however, the entire studio has been working overtime, putting in five days a week and apparently being asked to restrict total work time in that period to 60 hours. What about the team of producers created to deal with crunch? Many have reportedly left.

Mandated overtime recently ended for most staff this week and will return to three office days for the remainder of January. However, a “more detailed schedule” for next year is reportedly in the works, so plans could very well change.

Intergalactic is in development for PS5, and despite offering up several details, there’s been no indication of a release date. Schreier has previously reported that it won’t arrive next year, however.

“I’m hearing about people interacting with the game, and they’re also hiring for localization now. They’re getting into the end, and it’s a sign that everything is kinda locked down and content complete. I won’t be surprised if it’s out this time next year,” he said on a podcast with Dan Allen. Moriarty also believed that it would appear at The Game Awards 2025.

However, an appearance at the show and a potential release next year were simply speculation. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who previously reported that Intergalactic would not launch in 2026, reiterated this on Reddit. And no, it’s seemingly not on cards for The Game Awards, according to Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb on Twitter.

Plans could always change, but given the lack of any new gameplay or details from Naughty Dog, we can probably rule it out. On the bright side, Sony has a lot coming out in 2026, from Saros and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls to Marvel’s Wovlerine, so any of those could appear instead.

The Game Awards is set for December 11th, and thus far, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is leading the charge in terms of nominations. It recently swept the Golden Joystick Awards, winning in six categories alongside the Ultimate Game of the Year.

In the interview, Baker spoke about how he often butts heads with Druckmann about various things, including the direction of his characters. Since he will be taking on the role of a supporting character in Intergalactic rather than a primary one, he also said that they still often clash with each other.

“We did two weeks ago, man. Neil and I will always, it’s our vibe,” said Baker. “We just love to butt up against each other. We were doing a table read, and I was literally like, ‘Why are you giving me s*** right now? I’m asking you a question!’ And everybody else is like, ‘Our mom and dad are fighting, are we still going to Disneyland?’ We’re fine. We’re fine!”

As for his role as a supporting character in Intergalactic, Baker also spoke about his expansive career throughout the video game industry. He noted his belief that he doesn’t “deserve or need anymore”, but is still grateful for the role he plays in the industry. He also spoke about all the things he had learned with his work on various projects, even if they might not have been ‘game of the year’ winners.

“I’ve had a hell of a career. This industry owes me nothing. What a ride. I don’t think that I deserve or need anymore,” Baker said.. “But I am enjoying it now, now that I understand more about game development, I enjoy the process more than I do the credit. And some of my games that I look back on and go, ‘Man, I learned so much on that,’ and they were not Game of the Year contenders. There’s no BAFTA nomination associated with it. My reward was in more ephemeral qualities than money or accolades, or even recognition. So I’m enjoying the position that I have, which I still feel is a very important position with Intergalactic.”

When it comes to his future, Baker compares his aspirations to having a career like acclaimed actor George Clooney, who is known for his incredibly diverse roles, ranging from protagonists to supporting characters.

“I want to be like George Clooney,” he said. “I want to have my Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and my Michael Clayton, and some of his directing work too. He’s just an amazing person. The things that he’s able to create and the reason why he continues to be in things like Oceans 11, Up in the Air, or The American is because people just want to work with him.”

As for Intergalactic, there is currently no word on when the PS5-exclusive will be released. Druckmann has previously described it as being the “most ambitious”, “most expansive”, and “most expensive” game that Naughty Dog has made so far.

While most of the video focuses on the classic games under Naughty Dog’s hat, the developers also spoke about the future of the studio. That includes Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin reiterating the focus on storytelling.

“I hope the future holds more of what Naughty Dog has always done: being at the forefront of making entertainment that is of the highest possible quality, telling the stories it wants to tell, with depth and meaning,” said Rubin in the video. Studio manager and head of operations Alison Mori echoed this statement. “I know our studio will continue to create amazing story-driven, character-based games that touch upon the human experience.”

“It’s really about embodying these characters that are very specific, and strong-willed characters, even though they’re flawed, and then making you connect with them and their journey in a way that, hopefully by the time you’re finished with that experience, you view reality a little bit differently,” said studio head Neil Druckmann.

Intergalactic is the next title by Naughty Dog, and will be the first new IP that the studio has worked on since it released The Last of Us all the way back in 2013. While there is no release date for the game as of yet, Druckmann has described it as being the studio’s “most ambitious”, “most expansive”, and “most expensive” game so far.

“We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders,” said Druckmann about the development of Intergalactic back in September. “I’ve said this before, but I really mean it, I’m really feeling it right now: It’s the most ambitious game we’ve ever made. It’s the most expansive game we’ve ever made, maybe the most expensive, by the time we finish it.”

Druckmann also spoke about the potential for a sequel to Intergalactic if the title ends up being successful by noting that Naughty Dog as a studio doesn’t really tend to plan things like that out in advance. “We don’t tend to plan too much in the future, because we find — and this is something I inherited, it’s just the Naughty Dog culture — that we do our best work when it’s something we’re really excited about, really passionate about,” he said.

He also spoke about the studio discussing starting work on The Last of Us Part 3 after the success of Part 2. However, the team ultimately decided to start work on Intergalactic instead because there was passion behind wanting to work on a new sci-fi experience.

Intergalactic is being developed for PS5. Druckmann has also previously confirmed that he was stepping back from his duties on the TV adaptation of The Last of Us to focus on the upcoming game.

“We don’t tend to plan too much in the future, because we find — and this is something I inherited, it’s just the Naughty Dog culture — that we do our best work when it’s something we’re really excited about, really passionate about,” said Druckmann.

Following the success of The Last of Us Part 2, he recalls the team debating about “whether we should just go straight into ‘The Last of Us 3,’ and we had a really long period where we looked at ideas for maybe what could be in that game. We looked at — we have ‘Uncharted‘ as an IP, we have ‘Jak and Daxter‘ as an IP. But the team was really excited to do this sci-fi thing that we’ve been talking about for a while, and that’s where our passions lie, so that’s where we’re moving forward.”

If Intergalactic is a success, then Druckmann is sure that players will “see it again,” but that doesn’t mean it will be Naughty Dog’s next game. “Whether that will be our next game right after that, I can’t say, and I leave that door open. Not to be coy for this particular question, we want to see how we feel once we’re done with it and look at the options in front of us, because we have some other ideas that we’d like to explore as well.”

Druckmann previously said he had a “concept” in mind for The Last of Us Part 3, but not the full story. Of course, he would more recently tell Santa Monica Studio’s Cory Barlog that he didn’t have the confidence to plan sequels in advance. Speaking to Variety last March, he revealed that The Last of Us Part 2 could very well be the end of the series, but as his latest statements indicate, there’s no guarantee.

Regardless, it’ll be a while before Intergalactic launches on PS5, so in the meantime, head here for Druckmann’s thoughts on how it’s the studio’s most ambitious and expansive title yet.

“We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders. I’ve said this before, but I really mean it, I’m really feeling it right now: It’s the most ambitious game we’ve ever made. It’s the most expansive game we’ve ever made, maybe the most expensive, by the time we finish it.”

Which all sounds great, but the real question is: When will players see more? “As far as when we’re going to show stuff, I’m so antsy to show it and talk about it because the trailer that we showed doesn’t even scratch the surface of what this game actually is,” says Druckmann.

“But announcing a game like this, especially when it’s a new IP, especially when it’s coming out of Naughty Dog, you’ve got to coordinate with marketing, with PR, with a bunch of people. So it’d be foolish for me to say when we’re gonna show something right now.”

He couldn’t even get into why Intergalactic is considered to have the “deepest gameplay” in Naughty Dog history. However, there may be a clue in the progression of design from Uncharted to The Last of Us. “You could look at our previous titles and see the evolution of going from ‘Uncharted,’ where we’re really cutting our teeth on a realistic character-action game, third-person shooter, combined with emotional storytelling.

“With ‘The Last of Us,’ we added some RPG elements, and we started playing with wide linear layouts. Continue that trajectory forward, add sci-fi, and you start to get the sense of what we’re doing, and then we’ve gotten even more ambitious than that. So, really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. I think you’re all going to be pleasantly surprised by it.”

Intergalactic is allegedly inspired by Elden Ring’s player freedom, which could point to an open world. The story focuses on bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun pursuing a target on Sempiria and ends up stranded on the planet. Her combat style is seemingly melee-focused, but there’s little else that we know.

Unfortunately, it’ll be a while before we can go hands-on with Intergalactic, as Sony has confirmed that it will launch after March 2026 (and Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that it’s not launching next year). As always, stay tuned for updates.