{"id":544193,"date":"2026-04-21T23:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ragequit.gr\/?p=544193"},"modified":"2026-04-21T23:00:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:00:22","slug":"pragmata-pc-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ragequit.gr\/en\/reviews\/item\/pragmata-pc-review\/","title":{"rendered":"PRAGMATA"},"content":{"rendered":"

The case of Pragmata is one of those that makes you wonder whether Capcom has \u201ca lucky charm\u201d or if it simply knows exactly what it\u2019s doing. Most likely, both are true. From its first announcement, about six years ago, the game looked like a bizarre amalgam of sci-fi, existential exploration, and gameplay that was hard to categorize\u2014it\u2019s no coincidence that some compared it to the works of Hideo Kojima. After a long development period, to the point where we thought it might never see the light of day, Pragmata is finally here. And thankfully, unlike what usually happens with productions that take years to develop, the result doesn\u2019t disappoint. In fact, it manages to stand out in its own way, in a genre where the concept of \u201coriginality\u201d is arguably a misnomer.<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one thing we need to make clear, it\u2019s that Pragmata may, at first glance, seem like a \u201cpurebred\u201d action\/shooter game (you surely noticed the similarities to Dead Space), but in reality it has many more \u201chidden gems.\u201d We\u2019d go so far as to say it\u2019s a hybrid that combines third-person shooting, puzzle-solving, a bit of platforming, and, of course, intensely cinematic storytelling\u2014an unusual combination that, for some reason, works.<\/p>\n

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Hugh and Diana's relationship is intense from the moment they meet.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Undoubtedly, the visuals make the strongest initial impression; they are, without exaggeration, stunning (thanks to the RE Engine). The lunar base, where the vast majority of the action takes place, exudes a cold, almost sterile aesthetic reminiscent of classic sci-fi films, such as \u201c2001: A Space Odyssey\u201d (by no means a random example). The imposing environments feature plenty of detail and variety, while the frequent \u201cplay\u201d with lighting and shadows constantly creates a sense of \u201cunease\u201d in the player that, at the next turn, something is going to go very wrong. At the same time, the game does an excellent job of \u201cdebunking\u201d the motto \u201cin space, no one can hear you scream,\" thanks to the apt voice-over (accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack) on the one hand, and through the relationship between the two protagonists\u2014astronaut Hugh Williams and a mysterious android in the form of a little girl, Diana\u2014on the other.<\/p>\n

The dynamic between them is one of the cornerstones of the Pragmata experience. Hugh, an engineer who lands at the Cradle base with his team\u2014which is decimated by a random (?) earthquake\u2014tries to find a way to communicate with Earth and return safe and sound. Diana, despite all her knowledge, cannot explain why the base is under lockdown by the all-powerful AI IDUS, nor why it appears abandoned by humans. However, she is determined to help Hugh, and her contribution is truly invaluable to their survival.<\/p>\n

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Visually, Pragmata is simply amazing.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overall, the game\u2019s storyline manages to hold your interest throughout (expect around 12\u201314 hours for a typical playthrough), but the truth is that it doesn\u2019t offer anything groundbreaking. The reason is that it touches rather superficially on the whole subject of AI, its application, and its consequences (timely, I can\u2019t say), at the level of a blockbuster movie, while the plot\u2019s outcome is rather predictable, even when it\u2019s supposed to reveal some major twist.<\/p>\n

Where it really shines, however, is in the way it presents the events, weaving a truly beautiful and, at times, quite moving story. The game spends a lot of time on the relationship between Hugh and Diana, which constantly evolves as they overcome increasingly \u201ctough\u201d situations. In particular, Diana\u2019s role isn\u2019t limited to that of a supporting NPC who leans on Hugh\u2019s back and offers \u201ccute\u201d smiles and one-liners, but rather serves as a fundamental gameplay mechanic. In almost every challenge we face, we\u2019re called upon to combine the abilities of both characters to move forward. Whether that means hacking systems and enemy robots in real time (Diana\u2019s responsibility) or direct confrontation with weapons and dodging attacks\/shots (Hugh\u2019s responsibility). The result is something that breaks away from the stereotypes of \u201cmindless shooting,\u201d as the tactical aspect is strongly emphasized, combining quick thinking and reflexes.<\/p>\n

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The bosses, though few in number, are imposing and particularly impressive.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consequently, in terms of gameplay, Pragmata takes a somewhat \"heavier\" approach compared to \"traditional\" third-person shooters. The main factor in combat is hacking: the damage caused by Hugh\u2019s weapons is like a \u201ccaress\u201d to enemy robots, unless they\u2019ve been hacked by Diana. Therefore, we must first complete (in real-time, I remind you) a simple logic puzzle in the form of a grid, which varies in size and structure depending on the specific enemy we\u2019re facing, in order to reveal its weak points and then finish it off with our weapons. Admittedly, as an idea, it sounds much more boring than it actually is. One of Pragmata\u2019s greatest achievements is that this system manages to avoid becoming tedious, despite the constant repetition of the hacking\/shooting pattern.<\/p>\n

This is why combat is not fast-paced; but rather are tactical and intense, with each encounter requiring attention while also giving the player enough time to complete the hacking puzzles without their fingers getting \u201con fire.\u201d Of course, there are several highly challenging sections with multiple simultaneous threats, where you\u2019ll need to keep moving to avoid enemy attacks (Hugh\u2019s thrusters do a great job of dodging) while also handling the hacking, but nothing that can\u2019t be overcome with a little effort and practice.<\/p>\n

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An example of the hacking mechanism of a common enemy. The goal is to move the cursor to the green cell; as you pass through other cells, you may gain a buff or debuff.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From there on, the game makes sure to regularly enrich the gameplay, both in the shooting and hacking aspects, by adding new weapons and special mods to Hugh\u2019s arsenal, as well as nodes for Diana, which \u201cget added\u201d to the hacking\/puzzle mechanism grid and, when used, trigger buffs\/debuffs that affect enemy behavior. For example, there\u2019s the Confuse node, where, for a short time, an enemy robot \u201csides with us,\u201d or the Freeze node, which (obviously) freezes its movements. Needless to say, whether we manage our equipment wisely or not can make the difference between a triumphant victory and a crushing defeat.<\/p>\n

All of this can be found in the game\u2019s central hub, which serves as our base for upgrading characters (shield, hacking level, skills, etc.), to complete challenges (which are also very important for further strengthening the heroes), and to return to previous checkpoints to collect items that couldn\u2019t be obtained during our first visit (there\u2019s a bit of a Metroidvania vibe here). It\u2019s worth noting that every time we choose to return to the hub after activating a checkpoint, all the enemies we\u2019ve defeated respawn. However, since the level structure is relatively linear (though with plenty of opportunities for exploration), under \u201cnormal\u201d gameplay conditions, you won\u2019t need to revisit any areas you\u2019ve already cleared. But if you plan to collect everything (there are plenty of secrets\u2014chests, logs, skill points, mods, etc.), then enemy respawn is a factor you\u2019ll need to take seriously.<\/p>\n

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Diana's powers are extremely useful for Hugh's survival.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since we\u2019ve mentioned the enemies, it\u2019s worth noting that there\u2019s an impressive variety, both in number and design. You get the sense that each robot has its own personality, even though they\u2019re essentially just twisted machines out to kill us (under IDUS\u2019s orders), while the bosses steal the show, mainly in terms of size but also in terms of movement. You have to see them in action to believe it; the battles against them are truly epic and a blast.<\/p>\n

If we were to identify any other drawbacks in Pragmata, beyond the limited use of the story, they mainly relate to the pace of the action. At certain points, especially toward the end of the adventure, the game drags on longer than it should, particularly when it insists on presenting similar ideas, perhaps in an attempt to extend its duration in a story that doesn\u2019t lend itself to being stretched out any further.<\/p>\n

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Some enemies are pretty sneaky, like this one. Don't hold back on the ammo.<\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nevertheless, Pragmata is one of those games that is unquestionably worth our attention. It isn\u2019t perfect, but it\u2019s well-crafted with rich content; it attempts to tell a beautiful story in its own unique way, while possessing an authenticity that\u2019s rare these days. That\u2019s no small feat.<\/p>\n