Pragmata

Pragmata is another stunning game from Capcom. The game world is beautifully conceived and the interplay between our lead characters genuinely heartwarming, but it's the combat with its dynamic blend of shooting and hacking that is the main draw here and it makes other third person games feel pedestrian by comparison.

This all led to a thrilling conclusion that tested my skills, stirred my heart, and left me wanting more. Pragmata offers a robust post-game with plenty to do, but I hope that's not the last I see of Hugh and Diana. This combination of sharp combat mechanics, rich strategic depth, and lovely storytelling doesn't come along often. Pragmata shouldn't be missed.

Punchy shooting action and a creative hacking-puzzle gameplay mechanic make combat the true highlight of Pragmata. The story may seem like an afterthought, but its sci-fi drama gives enough to see it all the way through and experience this satisfying third-person shooter.

On top of that, the combat is pleasantly varied, with the numerous types of weapons at Hugh’s disposal and a decent number of enemies, ramping up as the story progresses. Diana’s hacking mini-game mid-combat is also a breath of fresh air as it adds a layer of strategy needed in a somewhat traditional third-person shooter. While Pragmata has its issues, it’s a solid, highly engaging adventure that’s difficult to replicate.

From the intriguing narrative and wonderful Lunar setting to its multifaceted and moreish combat, Pragmata is a joy to experience. Hugh and Diana’s trek through an AI-powered moonbase gone bad is full of satisfying combat encounters and puzzles in some exceptionally cool environments, with only a few wrinkles.

In nearly every single regard, Pragmata feels like such a breath of fresh air, a truly innovative game that shakes up the shooter formula in profound ways. And ultimately that’s exactly what I want from big-budget games from a studio like Capcom, something that feels truly fresh and original – dares to take a chance on something subversive and stick with it.

Gamers often complain that big publishers refuse to roll the dice on new properties with unique systems; I give Pragmata big props for doing precisely that and experimenting with something unconventional. The story and structure as a whole feel a bit by-the-numbers, but the beautiful futuristic visuals and inventive battle system are solid wins.

Pragmata's confidence in its punchy shootouts and old-school cool pays off, and the two leads roved their way into my heart despite a predictable plot.