New publication: Pragmata – Star Father, article review

Short about the system

What is Pragmata?

Capcom spent a long time “kitchen‑cooking” this title in the background, and although it went through several ports, it finally released in 2024. Unlike most of the company’s projects, Pragmata is not a typical action‑story game. It is a unique blend of a battle simulator and light adventure where the main value is interaction between characters.

Plot

At the center of the story lies the mystery of a lunar base from which all people suddenly disappeared. Capcom uses the familiar style of Japanese science fiction: the plot unfolds in the style of *Vanquish*, but without deep immersion into details. The narrative itself can be considered “passive” – the player only needs to go through a few levels to understand the overall picture.

Main characters

- Hugh – a fighter who knows how to shoot, but his weapons are largely ineffective against armored robots.
- Diana (Pragma) – an android girl capable of hacking enemies and exposing their weak points.

Their relationship is the core of the game: they constantly joke, talk, and help each other in combat. This makes Pragmata a great example of a “battle simulator” without the bleak conflicts typical of *The Last of Us* or *God of War*.

Mechanics

Unlike traditional games such as *BioShock Infinite*, where the companion stays in the shadows and barely participates in action, Pragmata emphasizes synergy between Hugh and Diana:

1. Combat
- Hugh shoots and dodges attacks.
- Diana hacks enemies, revealing their weaknesses.
2. Mini‑hacking games
- While fighting, the player moves through a maze to “break open” robots.
3. Constant communication
- Characters talk during combat, making the gameplay more lively and easy.

Despite screenshots and videos looking cluttered, in the real game everything runs smoothly: controls are simple, and coordination between characters is intuitive. The more new abilities and weapons you unlock, the more interesting the fights become against tougher robots.

Conclusion

Pragmata is a rare Capcom title that successfully combines dynamic action, humorous dialogue, and unique gameplay. If you’re looking for something fresh and unusual, it’s worth trying out this project.