When discussing PlayStation’s best first party studio, Naughty Dog practically always finds itself at the very top. Given its track record, that’s hardly surprising; it delivered not just one, but two iconic mascot-driven platformers in Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter. Then, it combined stunning setpieces with memorable characters in Uncharted, taking things even further with the brilliantly written The Last of Us franchise. While Naughty Dog finds itself at the top of the mountain for many PlayStation fans, though, the runner-up is a bit more debatable.
Some fans may point to Insomniac Games’ incredible development speed prior to the massive leak from a few years ago, as in the PS4 and early PS5 days, the studio was dropping great games at a shocking pace. Others may point to Sucker Punch, which has mastered visually stunning, gameplay-driven experiences via its Infamous and Ghost franchises. However, due to the God of War series that dominated the PlayStation 2 and then became a critical darling with its reinvention for the PS4, Santa Monica is arguably the best pick for a top 2 PlayStation studio out of these names. And come 2027, it’s looking very likely for the two most consistent developers within the PlayStation Studios family to drop new games, creating an unforgettable year for PS5 fan.
When Was the Last Time Santa Monica and Naughty Dog Released in the Same Year?
Technically speaking, these two beloved studios shared a release year back in 2022 with The Last of Us Part 1 and God of War Ragnarok. However, only the latter can truly be considered a “new” game, as Part 1 was simply a visual overhaul for the original Last of Us game. As stunning as this remake may have been, the last time that PlayStation fans were blessed with two new games from Santa Monica and Naughty Dog was all the way back in 2013.
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God of War Ascension launched on March 12, 2013, serving as a prequel to the original game. Here, players controlled a less powerful version of Kratos, and though the story wasn’t quite on par with the other games in the franchise — a one-off multiplayer mode also failed to impress — Ascension still snagged an 80 on Metacritic. As for Naughty Dog’s release, The Last of Us, practically everyone knows of that game’s greatness. From the iconic design of the clickers to the performances to the game’s bittersweet (and still hotly debated) ending, it’s possible to praise this game for hours on end. However, it’s important to note that these past two instances of Santa Monica and Naughty Dog sharing a release year fail to show both studios operating at the top of their game. In the case of 2013, Ascension is considered one of the lesser God of War games, while 2022’s Naughty Dog release was a game it had already made once before. 2027, then, has a chance to be truly special.
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If Intergalactic Really Releases in 2027, PS5 Owners Are About to Be Spoiled
While one should never count their chickens before they hatch, it’s hard to imagine a world where Intergalactic and God of War Laufey don’t end up as critically acclaimed releases, with the hot streaks for both Santa Monica and Naughty Dog being undeniable. God of War Ragnarok held its own against Elden Ring of all games, while The Last of Us Part 2 swept awards during its year of release. And prior to that were the magnificent God of War (2018) and Uncharted 4 (not to mention Lost Legacy). These studios have been delivering masterpieces for years now, so in 2027, they’re likely to do the same. Meaning that, come award season, Sony will likely be competing against itself, with every PS5 fan benefiting from that competition.
The only question, really, is whether Intergalactic will actually drop in 2027. Because while God of War Laufey is locked in for next year — a February release window means that, even with a delay, 2027 is sure to be the year when the next God of War game comes out – Intergalactic currently has no release window. However, the very reputable leaker Dusk Golem recently shared that 2027 is the target for Naughty Dog’s new sci-fi IP, with Jason Schreier previously reporting that a mid-2027 launch was the plan. Assuming these insiders are correct, and that no changes are made behind the scenes, 2027 could be a truly special time for PlayStation 5 owners. Plus, if Intergalactic really is a mid-2027 release, then PlayStation’s holiday 2027 slot could house another big game from a first party studio, making the year even better than it’s already poised to be.
