Time-traveling Game Revisits Past Glories: Pragmata Harks Back to Golden Age Gaming
Revamped Roam:In the realm of contemporary big-budget games, sales pitches aren't often complex these days. Except for Pragmata. Playing it at this year's Summer Game Fest left me amazed, leaving me flabbergasted about its genre when trying to describe it.
I was anticipating a standard third-person shooter description, but I was handed an unexpected pitch: "It's a game where you'll need to solve puzzles to unleash your firepower." I couldn't imagine what that would look like from the description itself, and that's precisely what makes Pragmata so intriguing.
My demo offers a 20-minute taste of the game that introduces players to the world and mechanics of Pragmata. I meet Hugh Williams, a guy in a cybernetic spacesuit, who stumbles upon an android companion, Diana, resembling a small blonde child. Their brief encounter is interrupted by a robotic enemy, and Hugh instructs Diana to stay behind him. Yet, she defies his orders, climbing onto his shoulders to help out.
This is where things get captivating in Pragmata. To deal real damage to an enemy using standard third-person shooting, players must first complete a hacking mini-game displayed on-screen. By holding the left trigger to aim at a target, Diana produces a hacking interface on the right side of the screen. It resembles a grid with keypad-like symbols, requiring players to draw a line from the start point to a marked endpoint elsewhere on the grid. Passing through additional symbols can add extra damage to the weapons once the hack finishes. When I conclude the puzzle, the enemy's defense drops significantly, leaving their weak points exposed and vulnerable to Hugh's attacks. However, the enemy's shields regenerate over time, necessitating the hacking process to be repeated.
Interestingly, the game doesn't pause during the hacking mini-game. The player has to maneuver Hugh to avoid harm while navigating the hacking interface. This multitasking operation might seem demanding initially, but it's surprising how quickly I was zipping through the grid puzzles in under a few seconds by the end of the demo.
Apparently, I only scratched the surface of Pragmata's hacking mechanism. During the demo, I began discovering grid panels scattered throughout the environment that added additional buffs to my grid for future hacks, granting me the ability to reduce the enemy's defenses even further if they are part of my line. This hints at the potential for a more intricate puzzle system that lets skilled players stack up several buffs during a well-routed hack.
Combat-wise, Pragmata boasts an average over-the-shoulder shooter gameplay, where players swap between four weapons, from a basic pistol to a more powerful blaster with limited ammo. The robotic enemies possess weak points in their metal joints, which must be targeted while their defenses are down. The mission I played required locating four locks in a facility, followed by hacking to unlock the door. The exploration and minigames were mixed with occasional enemy ambushes, which I had to engage and neutralize. While the gameplay may seem straightforward, the hacking mechanism elevates Pragmata above the ordinary.
What stands out to me is how Pragmata exudes an air of a game from another era. It reminds me of the energy of a Sega game from the early 2010s. Vanquish was the first comparison that sprang to mind after playing, even though the two games have little in common gameplay-wise (though they share a similar sci-fi aesthetic). Both titles have a similar design philosophy: construct an action game around a single outlandish gameplay idea, something no other game can match. Many contemporary AAA games are afraid to embrace this experimental approach, opting for combining gameplay features from a menu instead. Pragmata offers a fresh, exhiliarating vibe, returning us to a time when gimmicks were embraced, not scorned.
The challenge lies in ensuring that Pragmata doesn't exhaust a brilliant concept. This hook enables a fantastic 20-minute experience, but I yearn to see it expanded in a broader context. I don't necessarily seek combat depth here, nor do I actually want it, but I want to understand how Capcom will develop and diversify the hacking idea to create even more complex puzzles. I noticed various UI mini-games during my exploration for door locks, indicating more twists to come. It doesn't take much more to win me over; I'm already sold on the idea of experiencing a unique, action-packed sci-fi game that outshines the competition. That's the only sales pitch I require these days.
Pragmata is scheduled to release in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Insights:
- Hacking is integral to the combat system in Pragmata, allowing players to bypass enemy defenses and deal significant damage.
- The hacking minigame is a grid-based navigation puzzle that relies on the player's quick reflexes and strategic thinking.
- By successfully completing the hacking minigame, the player exposes weak points on the enemy, enabling them to inflict substantial damage. The enemy's defenses eventually regenerate, necessitating repeated hacking.
- Pragmata leverages this unique gameplay mechanic to set itself apart from other contemporary AAA games.
In the realm of upcoming science-fiction game releases, Pragmata's sales pitch is a standout, offering an innovative hacking mechanic that blends technology and puzzle-solving to enhance gameplay. This unique gameplay feature, reminiscent of classic gadget-focused titles and sci-fi adventures from the past, promises to bring a fresh, exhilarating vibe to the world of entertainment.
