Pragmata - Before You Buy

In this episode of Before You Buy, Jake Baldino discusses Pragmata, a new third-person linear action game from Capcom. Unlike a remake or sequel, Pragmata is a fresh IP that offers a nostalgic nod to fun, single-player sci-fi adventures reminiscent of the Xbox 360 and PS3 era, but enhanced with current technology for solid visuals and gameplay. It's described as a simple, well-made, "video game ass video game" – a straightforward adventure that, while not world-changing, provides a well-paced and enjoyable experience with thoughtfully designed mechanics and a character story that grows on the player. The reviewer admits a potential bias due to the scarcity of similar games in the current market. The game footage was captured on PC from a review copy and is aggressively spoiler-free, as Capcom was restrictive about what could be shown. The premise involves the player character, Hugh, a spaceman technician on a mission to the moon, where humanity has established technological outposts and laboratories. These outposts have discovered a new element allowing for endless, exact 3D printing. Upon arrival, Hugh finds the facilities deserted, and disaster strikes in the form of killer robots. Hugh, accompanied by a small android girl nicknamed Diana, must uncover what happened and re-establish contact with Earth. The journey takes them through gleaming sci-fi space station hallways, glowing laboratories, giant factories, and mines, with increasingly diverse and interesting robot enemies. The game's minimalist storytelling, world-building through notes and holograms, and design of weapons, tech, robots, and space suits help Pragmata stand out in the sci-fi genre. Gameplay centers around controlling Hugh, a "chunky spaceman" similar to Isaac from Dead Space, but with added thruster maneuverability that allows for smooth jumping, air dashing, dodging, and hovering. The core combat is third-person, over-the-shoulder shooting. Enemies are often shielded, requiring Diana's assistance. While aiming, a hacking mini-game appears, which Hugh must navigate to temporarily lower enemy shields or open their chassis, creating a window for attack. This hacking mechanic is crucial because Hugh's main weapon has limited recharging shots, and other weapons have extremely limited ammo. The mini-game isn't just about reaching an endpoint; players can pass through optional nodes to increase damage, stun, freeze, or overheat enemies for finishers. Initially, the reviewer was concerned about the potential for repetition in the hack-and-shoot loop, but the game consistently introduces new mechanics to keep things fresh. Hacking becomes more complex and strategic, allowing players to choose and equip specific nodes for battle and offering different hacking modes for aggressive play or faster stuns. An auto-hacking option is available, but it comes at the cost of the ultimate attack meter, which Diana also possesses. The combat as a whole is praised for its visual flourishes, explosions, and solid third-person shooting feel, with good hit feedback and responsiveness. Weapons are strategically limited, encouraging active combat management. These include charged weapons, a snare weapon, shotguns, pistols, and rocket launchers, alongside defensive options like protective drones, bubble shields, and decoy launchers, all introduced gradually to maintain freshness. A key highlight is the enemy variety, which prevents the game from losing steam due to repetitive encounters – a common issue in other games the reviewer has played. Enemies evolve from slow-ambling robots to ninja robots and even "grosser stuff," all while feeling in sync with the combat system. Although initially challenging to hack enemies while dodging others, the combat eventually "clicks," becoming highly synchronized. A perfect dodge that slows down time further aids this. Pragmata also features a robust progression system. While linear, it includes hidden areas, challenge rooms, and the ability to fast travel and revisit older areas with new abilities. This encourages exploration and character upgrades. At checkpoints, players can return to their base of operations to spend resources found through exploration on upgrading Hugh's armor, weapon capabilities, and Diana's hacking. Additional currency can be used to lock in and upgrade nodes and weapons, improving effectiveness, cooldowns, and damage. This steady progression and decent challenge encourage continuous upgrades. Players can also unlock skins for Hugh and Diana. The game includes a "battle pass type thing" where coins are collected and cashed in on a bingo card for rewards, which the reviewer found to be a charming, tongue-in-cheek progression system. The base itself evolves, starting as a stark moon lab and becoming a "messy ass place" with more stations and upgrade capacity as the player progresses and defeats bosses. Players can also find items in the world to teach Diana about Earth, building a kid's playroom in the process, which adds a charming touch. The story, while interesting enough with a few predictable twists, is primarily elevated by the two leads, Hugh and Diana. Their endearing relationship provides a wholesome and refreshing contrast to many grim, dark stories in gaming. The reviewer, despite typically finding child characters annoying, found Diana likable and the dynamic between her and Hugh very endearing. The main playthrough lasted around 12 hours, but significant optional content, including exploration and surprisingly fun training room simulations, could extend playtime considerably. These simulations, which get progressively harder and offer rewards for 100% completion, are described as a solid and refreshing addition, unlike typical add-ons or afterthoughts. The reviewer suggests that for fans of classic single-player, third-person action-adventure games, Pragmata is worth playing at some point. While it may not be a "must-buy-a-PS5" game, it's a "good solid old video game" that pleasantly surprised the reviewer.