Pragmata PS5 Preview. My first thought when nabbing the controller throughout my hands-on with Pragmata was, “blimey, I’m really taking part in this factor?” In any case, Capcom’s sci-fi romp was introduced manner again in 2020, and has gone darkish on various events, seeing a number of delays within the course of. Having lastly resurfaced with a obscure 2026 window, I used to be capable of play almost half-hour of Pragmata on PS5, and it’s positively one thing you’ll need to preserve in your radar. Sure, there’s loads of the same old sci-fi trappings to be discovered, from its clear, crystal white hallways to futuristic technical gubbins that at one level jogged my memory of Lifeless House, however its fight loop is uniquely good.
The demo opens with mech-suited hero, Hugh Williams, waking up with to a hearty slap from Diana, an android designed to seem like a younger lady who simply occurs to be a dab hand at hacking and matches snugly in your again. Your pint-sized companion and Hugh are shortly attacked by a mechanised baddie, and it’s right here that we’re launched to the meat-and-potatoes of fight. You maintain L2 to intention at your foe, at which level Diana hacks your goal and a fast mini recreation opens; right here, you will need to use the face buttons to maneuver the cursor to the inexperienced node, thus rendering your foes weak to assault.
From right here, you need to use your commonplace weapons by squeezing R2 to fireside at your enemy’s weak level, permitting you to inflict main injury. Strive capping your foes with out Diana’s hacking experience, and also you’re in for a tough experience, as your assaults barely scratch them. Whereas this might sound gimmicky on the floor, Pragmata’s bread-and-butter fight is each intuitive and satisfying. The motion doesn’t pause whilst you hack; you will need to suppose on the fly, navigating the grid whereas maintaining a tally of your enemy always.
As such, encounters are intense, pulse-pounding scraps that ooze an actual sense of urgency as you try to hit that important inexperienced node. The gratification of ploughing by means of a hacking section after which leaving your adversary a smoking heap of junk on the ground is palpable to say the least.
Capcom has added additional wrinkles to fight by together with particular bonuses within the hacking grid that may give you an edge in fight. These are completely non-obligatory, however add a pleasant layer of technique to hacking because it takes extra time and dexterity to navigate the grid to gather these additional nodes, all of the whereas making an attempt to keep away from assaults.
Hugh is fortunately fairly agile regardless of his hulking look. R1 is used to dodge and X permits you to leap, which might get you out of sticky conditions and is paramount when surrounded by a number of foes. Nonetheless, doing so will cut back your thruster gauge, so you need to monitor it fastidiously.
Pragmata additionally applies it hacking mechanic to environmental conundrums, as you employ varied panels to control components of the surroundings, corresponding to shutting off laser traps or elevating platforms. It’s primary stuff, however permits the sport to take pleasure in its extra interesting mechanics that little bit extra.
The RE Engine flexes its visible prowess as soon as extra right here, and it’s honest to say Pragmata is a stunning-looking providing because of this. Particle results like explosions and electrical energy pop with vibrancy, environments look clear and complicated, whereas enemies are available all styles and sizes and are stuffed with intricate little particulars. Oh, and Diana is a bit star; it’s clear the connection between her and Hugh goes to be a significant focus of the narrative, and I’m desperate to see the way it develops.
Fairly how the fight will pan out in the long term and evolve is anybody’s guess proper now, however from my hands-on, I’m getting nothing however constructive vibes from Pragmata and may’t wait to play extra of it come launch.
Pragmata is due out on PS5, PC, and Xbox Sequence X/S in 2026. Because of Capcom for the chance to go hands-on with the sport.