I have come to appreciate Capcom’s work as of late over the years. Resident Evil Requiem is obviously a banger; and the company’s work on Street Fighter 6 is undeniably good. But now we’ve got Pragmata, a game that was announced six (!) years ago and had a fair share of time in the oven. One would think the excitement for such a product would wane over that period. However, the end result is awesome, and one of Capcom’s best original games to date.
You play Hugh, a member of an investigation team sent to a facility on the moon that’s been taken over by AI. He soon becomes overwhelmed, but gets help from Diana, a lone android with hacking capabilities. The two must work together in an effort to stay in one piece. That’s done through a brilliant combination of “hacking” and action, which work surprisingly well together. There are puzzles aplenty as well, which I’m a fan of.
On top of that, the polish put into the game is breathtaking. It looks like an absolute banger, complete with plenty of robo-carnage. And the dialogue between Hugh and Diana is charming, making them a lovable duo.
The game could’ve used a little more story, and definitely some balance in its second half with its puzzle solving and combat. But overall, Pragmata is a welcome surprise, introducing us to lovable characters put into a whirlwind situation. Don’t let the hate articles get to you, this is a journey to the moon you should take.
Enter the Pragmata Pair
Man, AI is pesky. It’s gone and taken over a facility where every robot you can think of gets printed up. Hugh is a member of an investigation team sent in to find out what happened – but, of course, they’re overwhelmed. Fortunately, he has a saving grace with Diana, an android that knows a thing or two about hacking. And being adorably child-like, of course.
So begins their journey to escape the facility, which is easier said than done. Fortunately, Hugh is more than combat ready, and Diana can lend a hand with her hacking skills. You actually utilize these together through a novel gameplay system, where you input button commands on a grid while still taking on foes in the real world. It sounds frustrating, but after some practice, it becomes second nature.
In fact, the combat is very good fun, reminding me in some ways of games like Dead Space and Vanquish (but without the incredibly high intensity). You’ll dodge and shoot like a pro, and figure out weak spots in boss battles like a champ. It’s great to have Diana lend a hand as well, and dare I remind you that she’s adorable? Because she is. But she serves a great purpose here.
The later parts of the game pile on repetition a wee bit too much. But the overall journey is still very worthwhile, as you locate new goodies and work together to eventually overcome the AI threat. It’s well done, especially with the puzzle solving. I’m very keen to it.
My only regret is the story. We’ve got two fascinating characters here, and their interactions are excellent. But it could’ve dug a little deeper into Hugh’s past, and maybe a little more about the facility itself. No biggie, though. The action’s the thing here, and there’s a lot of it.
Honestly, I’d love to see more Capcom fare like this. Chances taken on new franchises, alongside older favorites like the Onimusha reboot we’re getting this year. If they can keep this balance going, I’m excited for what the future holds for them. (And of course, give us that new Mega Man.)
Pragmata Brings a Balanced Presentation
To go along with its compelling gameplay, Pragmata also has a terrific presentation. The game looks remarkable, especially on the Xbox, with a fast frame rate, beautiful details and vivid imaginations. Plus it’s easy to see everything that’s happening on-screen, so you don’t miss out on any interaction. The game also looks very nice on Switch 2, in case you feel like taking it on the go.
As for audio, it’s terrific. The sound effects within the game offer a lot of destructive chaos, and the music is very good. But it’s the interactions between Hugh and Diana that are a winner. You can really feel them working more closely together, all the way through to the end.
Don’t Deny the Adventures of Hugh and Diana
I’ve seen some hate pieces on Pragmata that try to shoot down the relationship between Hugh and Diana. But it’s completely misunderstood dreck meant to get “hate clicks.” Nothing more. The truth is, Pragmata is an exciting, genuine game that stands out amongst Capcom’s best. The duo really steal the show here, and the gameplay system built around them is addictive and fun. Not to mention the presentation looks great and there’s a lot to do.
Does it have its quirks? Sure. But Pragmata still comes highly recommended. C’mon, join the AI-bashing party. We’ll save you a seat.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to Capcom for providing us with a review code! Pragmata is available now for Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam/PC/Steam Deck!
Need more out of this world adventure? Check out our review of R-Type Delta HD Boosted!
