Pragmata is an exciting new IP with massive potential to become Capcom’s next big hit. This was my original statement shortly after previewing the game at GDC last month, and my opinion hasn’t changed over the last few weeks.
With the April 17th release date quickly approaching, I’ve finally completed Pragmata, and I have to say, this game genuinely surprised me. By creating something new, Capcom has made a spectacular title that will be remembered long after this year ends. Here are my spoiler-free thoughts on the overall experience and why you shouldn’t miss out on this gem.
A Deeply Engaging Storyline
Pragmata is a single-player third-person perspective sci-fi action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. Set on a Lunar Research Station, the story follows Spacefarer Hugh Williams and a child android named Diana. The unlikely duo must work together to stop a hostile AI that has taken over the station, with several robot enemies of various shapes and sizes running amok. Hugh’s main goal is to get back to Earth, and he will need Diana’s help and hacking skills to succeed.
While several movies, TV shows, animated series, and comics already explore growing relationships between robots and humans, Capcom’s approach to this particular storyline is uniquely beautiful and handled with impeccable care. Hugh and Diana’s evolving bond reminds me of Joel and Ellie’s relationship from Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, but with noticeable differences.
Diana’s innocence and eagerness to learn more about Earth’s popular cultural activities make her a charismatic and lovable character. The thought-provoking conversations she has with Hugh range from playful banter to meaningful life lessons and perspectives that build their bond and will get you emotionally invested in their journey. I definitely recommend exploring the optional conversations with Diana, which will help you learn more about Hugh’s values and backstory before this adventure.
A Beautifully Complex World
When I reviewed Resident Evil Requiem, I boldly said it was the best-looking RE engine game to date. Pragmata builds upon this formula effortlessly, thanks to the developers crafting a stunning world and characters full of danger and mystery. There’s no generative AI here, folks.
The team poured their hearts and souls into making a beautiful game from start to finish. The animations are fluid with seamless cutscenes, and the vibrant colors perfectly match the exploratory tone and outer space setting. The New York Times Square-inspired area shown in recent previews is just an example of the places you can expect to visit as you dive deeper into the game. There are plenty of collectibles to find and files to explore that add further context as the story unfolds.
I reviewed this game on a base PlayStation 5 console and didn’t experience any bugs, glitches, or performance issues. If you own a PS5 Pro, I’m more than certain that you’ll get a few added benefits similar to how Capcom handled Resident Evil Requiem. As I always say, definitely check out Digital Foundry for all the technical pros and cons on every platform. Regardless of where you decide to play, I’m fully confident saying the game performs well and looks amazing, so you won’t be disappointed.
The Brilliant Hacking Game That Will Keep You Coming Back For More
The biggest highlight that makes Pragmata a memorable experience is the highly addictive hacking gameplay loop you are introduced to early on.
Diana can hack shielded enemies and objects, leaving them vulnerable for Hugh to shoot. The hacking mini-game functions as a real-time puzzle-solving mechanic that involves pressing buttons and following a path to a designated green box. Enemies continue walking towards you the whole time, so there is a sense of tension in completing the task and executing your target before it’s too late.
As I mentioned in my preview, this is something that continues to evolve as you face tougher enemies and get deeper in the campaign, which will test your speed and keep you on the edge of your seat. Every mission starts with you choosing your loadout and mods before boarding the Tram to your destination. I found this preparation process equally exciting because it made me think logically about the best tools for the job.
The Importance of Shelter
The Shelter area and Cabin, which I mentioned in my last preview, play a crucial role in your survival and how both characters level up throughout the campaign. Here, you can give Diana newly discovered presents and objects to help her learn even more about Earth. You can also print weapons from unlocked schematics, upgrade Hugh’s suit health and integrity, primary unit weapon effectiveness, and Diana’s hacking damage and duration.
Speaking from personal experience, I can guarantee you will die more than a few times once you start fighting some of the tougher bosses. There are even certain areas that have already been cleared, where enemies that you have already defeated will respawn. For this reason, I highly recommend revisiting between fights to properly recover and upgrade your weapons and abilities before jumping back into the fray.
When you successfully beat stage bosses, your Cabin level gets upgraded. This gives you access to training simulations, a bot database, and a data library. There’s also a cool Cabin stamp club card where you can use earned Cabin coins to unlock new mods, additional outfits, and other items. The card functions like a Bingo card, and it was cool getting access to even more goodies after clearing a card.
Pragmata took me roughly 12 hours to complete. After you beat the game, there are options to start a New Game + mode or jump into a Lunatic difficulty mode if you want a deeper challenge. There is also an unknown signal mode that lets you jump back into previous save points in the game and face enhanced challenges throughout. For the standard price of $59.99, this is more than enough content to keep you busy, and it’s the perfect length for a game that can be completed in a few days.
Final Verdict
From Resident Evil Requiem to Pragmata, Capcom has been on an absolutely incredible run so far this year. This game is living proof that it’s a great idea to create and market new IPs, especially if you have a strong gameplay loop, compelling story, and talented development team behind the scenes. If you’re looking for an insanely fun outer space adventure, look no further than Pragmata.
This review was based on a review copy of Pragmata for PlayStation 5 provided by Capcom.
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