Approaching my appointment to try out Pragmata during Summer Game Fest Play Days a couple of days back, I wasn’t quite clear about what awaited me. Since the game was initially hinted at a PlayStation Showcase in 2020, I’ve found it challenging to grasp its essence. To my surprise, it turned out to be a science fiction shooter with puzzle aspects that is unlike any game I’ve played before.
2026 promises to be a significant year for Capcom with releases like “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” and “Resident Evil Requiem.” The former is set to revamp the classic action series, making it compatible with today’s high-intensity games, while the latter offers chilling, close-range horror experiences. Both games are likely to be highly anticipated by many, myself included. However, among all upcoming Capcom titles in 2026, “Pragmata” piques my interest the most.
In the game titled “Pragmata“, players assume command over a pair of characters who are attempting to return to Earth after being stranded in a massive lunar research facility. My demonstration kicked off with Hank, the man in the bulky spacesuit, being roused by Diana, an android modeled as a young girl. Despite his confusion, it wasn’t long before a robot descended and began viciously attacking them. This marked my entry into combat, offering me a firsthand taste of what playing “Pragmata” entails.
Initially, Pragmata may appear as a typical third-person shooter in the vein of Dead Space, minus the horror elements. However, upon firing at robots, it becomes clear that Hank’s attacks are largely ineffective. To inflict significant damage on adversaries, Diana must hack them instead. By pressing the left trigger to aim down sights at an enemy, players can initiate a hack. In this demonstration, there is only one type of hack: locating and accessing a green node within a grid of squares.
With the face buttons, I was tasked with marking squares on the grid to reach the green target node. As the demonstration progressed, I collected nodes of various colors such as blue ones, which allowed me to inflict additional damage on enemies or grant special abilities. To deal heavy damage, I could press and hold down the right trigger while using whatever weapon Hugh was carrying. The process is relatively straightforward but introduces an interesting twist to combat mechanics, incorporating a bit of puzzle gameplay.
Beyond battle scenes, Pragmata appears to resemble a typical action-adventure game where players will tackle various puzzles scattered throughout the research facility by hacking for progress. My demo concluded with Hugh and Diana restoring power to the complex by initiating its power plant, but a massive robot then assaulted them afterwards. Although I didn’t get to engage in that boss fight, I can only envision that it, along with other late-game confrontations, will introduce new elements to Pragmata’s shooting and puzzle hacking gameplay dynamics.
Among the top games I enjoyed in 2024 was Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, a unique blend of genres that has me eagerly awaiting any new venture by Capcom, particularly those with innovative gameplay concepts. The details about Pragmata have been scant since its unveiling, but the intrigue surrounding it makes it one of the most captivating games slated for release in 2026, and undoubtedly the upcoming Capcom project that piques my interest the most.
Pragmata will be released for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2026.
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2025-06-11 18:46