Lunar Pragmata changes your mind in 30 minutes ⚡
When Capcom kindly introduced me to the Summer Game Fest an informative demonstration on how you should solve a puzzle before shooting at your science fiction shooter PragmaticMy eyelids started to droop, and I felt an urgent craving for warm sugary milk and a heavy blanket. I already hate shooters, and most puzzles in video games make me nauseous, so I got bored and mentally prepared for my midday nap… until I actually started playing Pragmata and my world exploded from the inside out. 🚀
I only had about 30 minutes to try the game, but it was enough time to realize I was wrong. What else could I be wrong about? My precious zodiac sign? 🌟
Pragmata: The Dystopian Future on the Moon
Pragmata: The Dystopian Future on the MoonIt doesn't matter, because in Pragmata, the only stars that matter are those surrounding our weary protagonist – Hugh, a defeated-looking space cowboy. He has no other concern than survival. He's stranded on the Moon, abandoned at a research station overrun by hostile, invincible robots.
Facing Invincible Robots with Ingenuity and Strategy
Well, actually they are apparently Invincible. In the demo I played, Hugh awakens to find the precocious android Diana, who has healed his wounds and is eager to teach him how to effectively destroy enemies. 🎮
Control Dual: Hugh y Diana
You control both characters. Diana's hacking ability is presented as a simple and fluid maze minigame using the right stick of the controller. By reaching special nodes, you can momentarily disable the robots' impenetrable outer armor to reach a green block that triggers their vulnerability. Upon success, the robot's exoskeleton opens, revealing its internal wiring, and upon defeating it, it explodes in a spectacular and very satisfying burst of electrical fire. ⚡
(Image credit: Capcom)
Game Dynamics and Mental Challenges
Surprisingly, completing the puzzle in the small pop-up window while engaged in actual combat isn't annoying. I feel like the hacking requires keeping a safe distance from the flesh-hungry robots. The fight sequences are more intense due to the mental multitasking, but this complexity adds excitement and tension, not tedium (at least during the 30 minutes I played). 🧠
Integrated Controls and Mechanics
On a physical level, using the right stick for Diana's hacking and the triggers for Hugh's arsenal (standard, shock, and freeze weapons) feels natural and harmonious, making every action flow seamlessly. 🎯
Visual Style and Cinematic Comparisons
Although Pragmata was originally announced in 2020In my demo, it displayed clean and bright graphics, although its visual style reminded me of other science fiction shooters like Dead SpaceHowever, Pragmata offers an innovative twist on the genre: while Hugh faces dangers and lasers, he must carry Diana on his back like a koala. This creates an emotional connection between them, an endearing bond that evokes a paternal and protective feeling similar to Mamoru Oshii's cult film, Angel's Egg. 🎥
Analogies with Angel's Egg (1985)
Diana and the young protagonist of Angel's Egg share visual characteristics, with their long, blonde hair symbolizing every movement in the struggle for survival. Hugh reflects the young man's despondency in the film. Both stories highlight a fascinating contrast between caution and recklessness, loneliness and hope, creating an engaging narrative that sparks interest in exploring Pragmata further.
Expectations and Launch
I'm excited to play more when Pragmata launches in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This puzzle-shooter promises a unique experience within the genre thanks to its blend of adventure, strategy, and emotional storytelling. 🎉
