Capcom have been on a roll this year with two amazing games already released. Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3 both launched to critical acclaim, and now we have their third major release. Pragmata has been a title weβve been waiting for since its announcement back in 2020.
Finally, almost six years later, we have the game in our handsβand it feels surreal playing something so eagerly anticipated. But does Pragmata live up to the hype?
Pragmata β Story Overview
Pragmata kicks off with four astronauts heading towards a lunar base. After landing and finding no one there, things quickly spiral when a lunar quake hits. Hugh, the protagonist, is separated from his crew and left stranded in the damaged facility.
Heβs rescued by a mysterious young girl who repairs his suit, only for him to immediately face a corrupted humanoid mech controlled by the AI system, IDUS. With the girlβs help, Hugh hacks and defeats the enemyβlearning she is actually a humanoid robot known as a βPragmata,β later named Diana.
The story progresses at a brisk pace as Hugh and Diana venture deeper into the base, restoring power and uncovering what went wrong, all while facing increasingly dangerous machines controlled by IDUS.
Gameplay and Core Mechanics
Pragmata delivers a well-designed gameplay loop centred around exploration, combat, and progression. Players will explore various sections of the lunar base while returning to safe zones called Shelters.
Shelters and Progression
The Shelter acts as your base of operations, allowing upgrades to Hughβs weapons, suit, and Dianaβs hacking abilities. Resources gathered from exploration and combat feed directly into progression, making every encounter feel rewarding.
Fast travel is handled through maintenance hatches, which double as checkpoints. These allow quick returns to the Shelter, creating a satisfying rhythm between combat and upgrades.
Combat and Weapons
The gameplay leans into third-person action, similar to recent Resident Evil titles. Hugh uses a grip gun alongside a growing arsenal of weapons.
- Shockwave Gun: Devastating at close range, great for multiple weak points.
- Charge Piercer: High-damage precision weapon, perfect for larger enemies.
Loadouts can be customised at the Shelter, and choosing the right weapon for each enemy type is key to survival.
Dianaβs Hacking System
Diana plays a crucial role in combat with a unique hacking mechanic. Players complete a grid-based mini-game mid-battle to expose enemy weak points.
As the game progresses, hacking becomes more powerful with upgrades allowing multi-target hacks and increased damage output.
Her overdrive ability is especially useful, instantly hacking all enemies in front of youβperfect for high-pressure moments and boss fights.
Movement and Controls
Hughβs thrusters allow quick dashes to avoid damage, and upgrades enhance mobility further. Weapon switching is seamless, making combat fluid and intuitive.
Storytelling and Character Development
The narrative unfolds naturally through exploration and conversations between Hugh and Diana. Their relationship evolves into a heartfelt dynamic that feels like a father-daughter bond.
Dianaβs curiosity and childlike personality contrast beautifully with Hughβs protective nature, creating some genuinely memorable moments.
Shelter Interactions
Players can customise the Shelter with furniture and interactive objects. These trigger optional conversations with Diana, adding charm and depth to the experience.
These small details make the world feel alive and give players a reason to return and engage beyond combat.
Visuals and Performance
Graphically, Pragmata is stunning. Built on the RE Engine, every scene is visually impressiveβfrom detailed environments to enemy designs.
Performance is equally impressive. On PC, the game runs smoothly even at high settings, which is rare for modern releases. Console players on PS5 can expect similarly strong performance.
The lack of a photo mode is honestly surprising given how beautiful the game isβit feels like a missed opportunity.
Audio and Soundtrack
The soundtrack complements the gameβs atmosphere perfectly, enhancing both tense and emotional moments.
Voice acting is excellent, particularly Diana, whose performance captures her innocence and curiosity brilliantly.
Final Verdict
Pragmata is a well-crafted third-person action shooter set in a visually stunning lunar world. Its gameplay loop is engaging, the combat is satisfying, and the relationship between Hugh and Diana adds real emotional weight.
While it leans into familiar tropes, it executes them extremely well. At around 16 hours long, it delivers a complete and satisfying experience without dragging on.
Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi and action games.
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The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
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