PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5

I will be straight up honest with you all. I wasn't really interested in this game until about a week before its release when I finally decided to try out the demo and feel the game for myself. But when I did, I instantly realized that this was something special about to come out, and had to pre-order it. The premise is simple: You play in 3rd-person with heavy shooting elements using different types of weapons. But the real hook of this game is how it blends a hacking themed puzzle mini-game together with the shooting. On console controllers, you aim and shoot with the standard trigger buttons while strafing and dodging. However, while aiming at enemies you are simultaneously using the face buttons to navigate a cursor in the hacking mini-game to specific "nodes" that once completed will allow you to damage enemies that are otherwise bullet sponges by default. This necessity of using the hacking and shooting mechanics creates a harmonious flow in gameplay that is hard to describe, but clicks with the brain so well once you get the hang of it. Think of how Devil May Cry, another Capcom IP, combined swords and guns to create its stylish fast-paced combat gameplay. That is what Pragmata is doing with its 3rd-person shooting and hacking puzzle mini-games. Beyond this unique foundational mechanic, Pragmata also feels structured like a Resident Evil game, with different zones to explore and enemies with different abilities and weaknesses. You have a "safe zone" in the Shelter where you upgrade your abilities and equipment using components you find while exploring. It's a satisfying adventurous loop that always feels rewarding and contributes to the overall experience. I haven't even mentioned the story or the characters, which likely have stolen the hearts of gamers everywhere in recent days. You have Hugh, the primary player character, who is an astronaut with combat and engineering skills not unlike Isaac Clarke from Dead Space. You can see the inspiration taken from other games, and it is refined to perfection. Then you have Diana, the child android companion who handles the hacking puzzle mini games. She always rides on your back during exploration and combat, making the majority of the game feel like you are controlling two characters at once. But during the quiet peaceful moments in the Shelter, Diana becomes one of the most endearing and adorable AI companions in a video game since BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth. Diana's lifelike animations and overall vibe really makes her feel like a real child. And your interactions throughout the game enforce the feeling of creating a meaningful bond between her and Hugh. The voice acting in English is also fantastic, with Diana's VA delivering a very convincing childlike attitude and Hugh giving off the mature but still easygoing attitude that contrasts with the more brooding father figures from the likes of God of War or The Last of Us. Pragmata has one of the most wholesome portrayals of a father-daughter relationship in the video game medium, and I think this is very refreshing to see. Finally, the graphics and sound are also top notch. The strong sci-fi art direction pulling styles from real life space travel and more tech-heavy robotics all combine to create a convincing world. The music is an often quiet medley of piano, synths and choir mixed together to form a melancholic melody to complement the game's themes of space and robotics. The cutscenes are also well directed, and flow seamlessly into gameplay to create some absolutely cinematic moments. So to reiterate, this game wasn't on my radar until shortly before its release, and knowing that it was in development for 6 years is mind-blowing. This is Capcom's first new IP in a long time, and I am so glad I took a chance on it because this is what we need to see more of from game companies. Pragmata is a shining example of a game that was created with passion and given time for polish. In short, Capcom really cooked with this game and I truly hope to see it become an exciting new franchise.

Pragmata is definitely up there in that Game of the Year category. With all of the delays and uncertainty this game had in its's development, it's actually a breath of fresh air that it's doing really well in terms of critical reception. Graphically this game looks amazing no thanks to the RE Engine that Capcom has been using in their AAA titles since Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. However, the gameplay is where it really stands out something I haven't seen another game try that being a mix of a third-person action-adventure shooter and a satisfying yet intense puzzle game. I cannot stress enough that gameplay like this really shouldn't work at all, but Capcom somehow brought upon a miracle and achieved the impossible. Pragmata truly feels like a game that was pulled out of the sixth or even the seventh generation of console gaming and I mean that with the highest praise. Anyways, Pragmata is great everyone should definitely give this game a try you'll have a good time.

Dad space is a wonderful experience that is worth every penny. The combat is a ballet of hacking and gunplay and the story doesn’t disappoint!

To me, this is the most thought provoking, Heartfelt,exciting game I’ve played in years! Kudos to Capcom for taking the time to develop this masterpiece! Simply amazing!

A beautiful story and excellent gameplay. The hacking and shooting begin to feel like second nature after 30 minutes or so. And the game mechanics change perfectly in time so the gameplay loop is evolving and never feels stale.