Pragmata

Pragmata feels like it accidentally escaped from 2012. No endless map, no live service nonsense, no checklist disguised as gameplay. Just a ridiculously fun action game that remembers why people fell in love with this genre in the first place.

[h2][i]Pragmata – The Moon Was Just the Beginning[/i][/h2] [i]Spoiler free Review[/i] I'd never even heard of Pragmata until last year. Somehow, it's now become one of my favourite games in recent memory. I really wish more games released demos like this. I ended up spending far longer with the demo than I expected, and by the time I finished it I'd already decided to preorder the game, my first preorder in six years, the last being Cyberpunk 2077. Pragmata reminded me how much I enjoy games that embrace being games. Hidden rooms, worthwhile collectibles, secret loot, optional training simulations, environmental puzzles it constantly rewards curiosity. Even though there aren't any traditional side quests, I almost always found myself wandering off the main path because I wanted to see what I'd discover next. The combat struck a balance that felt just right. On Normal difficulty it stayed challenging without becoming exhausting, making even shorter play sessions feel satisfying. Every encounter asks you to think ahead, plan your approach, and make smart use of your weapons and mods instead of simply reacting in the moment. One thing I found particularly interesting is how much the control scheme changes the experience. I played with a controller and absolutely loved the hacking mechanics, but friends using keyboard and mouse enjoyed them far less since dragging between nodes feels much less natural with a mouse. It's one of the games where I'd recommend using a controller if you have the option. The characters ended up becoming my favourite part of the entire game. Hugh and Diana are both wonderfully written, and watching their relationship develop naturally over the course of the story was surprisingly comforting. A lot of people describe the game as "dad simulator," but I actually found myself relating more to Diana. Hugh wasn't just Diana's protector. He felt like the kind of dependable adult you imagine as a kid: calm, patient, kind, and always trying to do the right thing despite carrying his own baggage. Their conversations felt genuine, making both characters feel refreshingly human with fully fleshed out personalities. I went into the post game expecting a few extra challenges. Instead, I found myself happily sinking another dozen hours into it. Unknown Signal gives you a reason to fully experiment with your completed build, while Lunatic difficulty cleverly hands you tools much earlier, letting you invest in your build from the very beginning instead of waiting until much later to commit to a playstyle. I rarely replay games. Once I know the story, I'm usually ready to move on. Pragmata somehow convinced me otherwise. I started a second playthrough almost immediately, and by the time I finished it, I was already craving a third. It's also one of the few games that got me excitement for gaming. Ever since finishing Expedition 33, nothing had managed to grab me in quite the same way. Its relatively short length ends up being one of its greatest strengths. Nothing feels padded, and nearly every area feels deliberately handcrafted. I also loved how many little secrets and easter eggs the developers hid throughout the game. Even the demo contains extra dialogue and hidden details if you replay it. Performance is my biggest criticism. The game is surprisingly VRAM hungry, and Low textures actually produced more stutter than Medium or High due to what seems like a texture streaming issue in certain areas. I also found the game noticeably smoother with an uncapped frame rate, regardless of whether I used the in-game limiter, RTSS, or the NVIDIA App. Hopefully these are things Capcom continues to improve over time. I went into Pragmata expecting a fun sci-fi action game. I walked away with one of my favourite games in recent years. Much Love <3

Capcom has managed to surprise me my whole life and this game is no exception. I don't feel like writing a long review, but Pragmata is definitely worth playing. The quality is truly top-notch.