PRAGMATA
CAPCOM
Pragmata is a unique, sci-fi action-adventure game from Capcom. Follow Hugh, a member of an ill-fated investigation team, and Diana, a young android, as they navigate a lunar facility taken over by rogue AI in search of a way to Earth. Hugh is saved by Diana, a lone android wandering the complex. The two of them must join forces to find a way off the moon while working their way through an AI-controlled facility bent on stopping them.
Pragmata is the newest release from Capcom, a brand new science fiction IP with a “dad and daughter” style narrative that feels similar to BioShock and God of War. In the best possible way, Pragmata feels like a game from the mid-2000s, and it highlights everything we love about gaming from that era. It puts emphasis on a specific gimmick while also executing the gameplay really well and offering an interesting story. Pragmata focuses on action first, so the story does have some issues, but this is still a fantastic title.
After communication between Earth and a mining outpost on the Moon is suddenly cut off, Hugh Williams and his team are sent to investigate. However, he quickly discovers that the AI administrator called IDUS has gone rogue and is sending robots to eliminate the humans. He is saved by an android girl he names Diana, and together, they must uncover the truth behind the AI going rogue, toxic dead filament and the plot to destroy Earth.
Pragmata’s storyline moves quickly from the start, and the full campaign takes approximately 12 hours to complete. The game doesn’t go into much depth about the world and focuses mostly on Diana, with Hugh being skipped over a bit at times. The story is very nice and enjoyable, but it does feel a little lacking at times, though it’s hard to notice with the incredible gameplay.
Pros
Fun, exciting combat mechanics
Lots of customisation with Hacking Modes
Heartfelt story and relationship building
Puzzle system deepens the action
Cons
Some story depth is missing
Can’t play offline
Gameplay is where Pragmata shines. It’s an action-adventure third-person game where players can control Hugh and Diana at the same time as they work to escape the station and fight the hostile robots. While Hugh wields weapons in a classic third-person shooter style, Diana makes it more interesting. Aiming down the sights of a gun allows you to see enemies through Diana’s eyes, which visualises a hacking matrix floating next to the enemy, which lets you steer through a grid to hack the enemy while also leaving you free to move and shoot as Hugh. The enemies are almost impossible to defeat with basic weapons; hitting the green nodes with Diana’s hacking puzzle will stop the robots.
Juggling shooting, moving and hacking makes combat tense and frantic. There’s a lot to think about and manage, making it very easy to die, but also very satisfying when it works out. The style is similar to the combat of Dead Space without the body horror, making Pragmata excellent for those who have always wanted to experience the style of combat gameplay.
Hugh does still have access to a great range of weapons, with classics like shotguns and grenade launchers, but also some specialised weapons such as a Sticky Bomb that shrinks the hacking matrix. The base weapon has limitless ammo but a limited clip size that regenerates over time. It creates low-ammo tension without leaving you totally defenceless.
While Diana already adds an interesting element to the game, there are multiple Hacking Modes that add extra complexity since they change the nature of the hacking minigame and the combat in general.
The Shelter is the safe haven and mission hub, which can be upgraded to add more functionality, such as a training centre. This is where it’s possible to upgrade stats such as HP, weapon damage and hacking or purchase new abilities and also upgrade existing abilities or weapons. Any checkpoints found across the station can also be accessed from the Shelter, taking Hugh and Diana back to them at any point while also respawning the enemies. There is some encouragement to return to past levels since not everything can be accessed on the first run; some areas require certain things to access them, and those items won’t be available until later in the game. The Shelter is also important for Hugh and Diana to interact and bond; it offers more insight into them and their relationship.
Overall Rating
