Pragmata Review – A Slick, Stylish Sci-Fi Shooter

Pragmata Review

Announced in 2020, Pragmata quickly became one of gaming’s most intriguing mysteries before seemingly vanishing altogether. Years later, it has re-emerged from the void, drawing players back into its lunar sci-fi world. Its return also comes at a pivotal moment for Capcom. Following a string of successes with established franchises, the publisher has begun to explore new territory with titles like Exoprimal and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Pragmata is the latest step into the unknown, but can it carve out a lasting place, or will it slip back into obscurity?

You play as Hugh, an astronaut sent to investigate a lunar research station after communications suddenly cease. Upon arrival, only the echo of your footsteps breaks the silence in the metallic corridors. Moments into your search, a violent moonquake tears through the facility, killing members of your crew. Knocked unconscious, you later awaken to find a young girl tending to your injuries, saving you from certain death. Soon revealed to be an android, you name her Diana, and together you begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the station, with the hope of escaping and returning to Earth.

A Tale of Two

The relationship between the two quickly becomes the heart of the experience. Like a father and daughter, Hugh guides Diana, teaching her about Earth and the simple nuances of human life. These quiet, intimate moments build a genuine connection, making their survival feel paramount. Through their conversations, you gradually learn more about their pasts, drawing you further into their journey. While the sci-fi setting and AI themes add scale, it’s the grounded, personal dialogue that adds emotional weight to the story, resonating with players.

The partnership bleeds into the gameplay as Diana hacks oncoming bots while Hugh shoots. This is where Pragmata finds its niche, leading to one of the best gunplay systems in modern games. Hacking initiates when locking onto a foe. At this point, a grid appears, and you must navigate the maze to reach your target, temporarily incapacitating the enemy and opening the door for a flurry of bullets. Blockades and buffs also materialise, varying your infiltration. Some nodes can confuse the enemy, making them an ally for a period of time, while others can overheat, giving you the opportunity to unleash a lethal, special attack.

Adapt and Destroy

At first, it can be difficult to juggle both mechanics, especially when facing multiple opponents. It can become quite intense as multiple enemies surround and zone in on you. Fortunately, you have access to multiple weapons that aid you in tough situations. For example, you can set a decoy so that enemies cluster at a certain spot, allowing you to send in homing missiles or sticky bombs to obliterate them. In addition, you can carry multiple weapons and switch on the fly; however, each one has a limited number of bullets, so you’ll need to constantly pick up new ones as they run dry. While this may sound like a lot to consider, it’s designed in a slick and intuitive manner and, once it clicks, it becomes a truly fascinating system that elevates the formula.

Bosses culminate areas and possess numerous dangerous attacks that require quick evasive action to remain in the battle. These high-octane encounters test your speed and skill, challenging you to hack while avoiding projectiles. To survive, you will need to use all your skills to set traps and inflict huge damage with special attacks. Each towering foe feels like a true skill check, demanding precision, patience, and adaptability to overcome.

Movement is purposeful and feels natural to the environment and your attire. While you have thrusters to help you leap across gaps and can dash out of the way of attacks, there’s a weight to every action that keeps you grounded, making each movement feel deliberate rather than overly floaty.

Take a Breath

Light platforming and puzzle segments intersperse the adventure, requiring you to hack terminals and explore the environment. With the use of your scanner, you can find diary entries that expand the lore of the universe and items to upgrade your abilities. To do so, you must return to the Shelter, a hub area that allows you to fast travel to any of the checkpoints in the game. Here you can give Diana presents that you find in the world and see the hub area expand; you can also expand your arsenal, upgrade abilities and take part in training missions to earn more resources.

Challenge rooms are locked behind red doors, which require specific keys that you’ll discover hidden in the environment. Entering these demanding trial areas is a test of skill, granting you a range of items if you manage to pass the test. These are periodically positioned and are a welcome addition that expands the adventure. Although a succinct and tight experience, Capcom meaningfully extends its longevity. Beyond the doors and training missions, New Game Plus and additional challenges open up after completion to keep you engaged with the tight combat mechanics.

New Horizons

The art direction is superb. Although the indoor facility looks conventional, it’s when you step outside that you’re greeted with awe-inspiring environments. Stunning space vistas and unhinged AI-generated renditions of Earth create memorable set pieces that perfectly progress the story, flesh out the world and leave a lasting visual imprint. Paired with a solid soundtrack and sound effects that maximise the impact of every shot and you’re left with a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Pragmata is a refreshing, refined adventure that tells a personal, grounded tale in an otherworldly setting. With traditional sensibilities, the game shows confidence in its mechanics, placing them at the forefront rather than smothering the experience with unnecessary content. Stepping back to the golden age of shooters, it manages to carve out a niche that feels both nostalgic and distinctly its own.

***PlayStation 5 code provided by the publisher for review***