Pragmata is my favorite surprise game of 2026 — and another GOTY contender from Capcom

Pragmata is a game I didn’t know I wanted. While I was certainly intrigued by its initial announcement, I was still undecided, even after playing it at a press event, since the puzzle-based combat is admittedly strange. However, now that I’ve finished it, I can safely say that it’s not only another bona fide hit from Capcom, but a title that leaves a lasting impression.

At its core, Pragmata is a third-person action-adventure shooter. However, instead of mindlessly shooting at the game’s myriad robotic foes, you must first complete a mini-game to lower their shields and make your weapons more effective. While this can slow down combat, it leads to more engaging and thoughtful encounters. Toss in an enthralling science fiction story with genuine heart, and you have almost everything you’d want in a video game.

Pragmata proves there’s still innovation to be had in the AAA gaming space. Find out more in my full review!

Pragmata: The basics

• What is it? Pragmata is a science fiction, third-person action-adventure shooter.
• Who is it for? For anyone who enjoys science fiction, smart shooting games, or is a fan of Capcom.
• What's the price? Pragmata costs $59 at retailers like Amazon.
• What other games has the developer made? Capcom has released notable games such as Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mega Man, and Monster Hunter, among others.
• What games is it similar to? Pragmata is very unique, but if I had to compare it to anything, it has bits of Nier Automata, Death Stranding, and Dead Space.

I, Robot

During what should have been a routine job on a lunar research station called The Cradle, protagonist Hugh Williams loses his team of fellow engineers to a moonquake. He soon meets an android girl he eventually calls Diana, who can hack into enemy robots' shields so Hugh can take them out more effectively. The two must then continue working together to escape the moon and reach Earth safely.

While the mystery behind what’s happening on the moon is plenty interesting, the heart of Pragmata’s story centers on Hugh and Diana’s father-daughter relationship. As the game progresses, Hugh teaches Diana what it’s like being human, while Diana, in turn, helps Hugh deal with some of his past trauma. It’s a sweet dynamic that only gets stronger as the story progresses.

I went in expecting a decent sci-fi story, but Pragmata overdelivered thanks to its endearing characters and unique twist on the lunar setting. Even after finishing it, it’s a story I’m eager to revisit. Plus, Diana is insanely adorable thanks to her bubbly personality and boundless curiosity.

The Terminator

Pragmata’s combat mechanics are its most defining feature. Since you have to complete a mini-game to disable enemy shields so that Hugh’s shots do serious damage, every single encounter is its own mini-game. This is especially true since you need to remain on the move as robots won’t just stand around waiting for you to disable their defenses. Combat can feel strange because of this dynamic, but once it clicks, it’s immensely rewarding.

The actual mini-game itself appears as a grid overlaid in front of your targeted enemy. You need to move across this hacking matrix by pressing the corresponding face button to move up, down, left, or right. While early encounters have simple grids with no obstructions, later grids can have rigid paths you must follow so you don’t get stuck or suffer damage by moving to the wrong node. This can get frustrating, especially when multiple foes are coming at you. Thankfully, there’s a way to turn things in your favor.

You’ll find or unlock different Hacking Nodes, which you can equip and which will appear on the hacking grid. Passing through these nodes can have effects like boosting your damage or allowing you to hack multiple robots at once, for example. There are quite a few Hacking Nodes you can try out, and they can certainly turn battles in your favor.

Hugh starts with the equivalent of a handgun, but eventually finds analogs for shotguns, missile launchers, sticky bombs, and many more. Except for your primary firearm, all weapons have limited ammo and break when they run out. Because of that, you’re forced to use all the weapons in your inventory that are scattered across the levels. This prevents you from sticking to just one gun, which helps keep you engaged in each enemy encounter.

Diana’s hacking ability is powerful, but she needs time to recharge the hacking gauge after a successful hack, which further heightens the tension during battles. Conversely, Diana can also employ an “ultimate technique” called the Overdrive Protocol, which can hack all enemies at once. The gauge for this technique fills up every time you defeat enemies, so it’s best to have it reserved for when you’re truly overwhelmed or when facing a boss.

Speaking of bosses, Pragmata has some truly inspired boss encounters that are reminiscent of the over-the-top bosses from Resident Evil Requiem — only with this game’s hacking mini-game tossed in. I won’t ruin things, but boss battles are a true highlight here, even if some are tough as nails.

Forbidden Planet

Pragmata takes place on a lunar research facility, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be staring at the interior of a space station or on the lunar surface for the entire game. One level is set in a 3D-printed version of New York City, while another is made to resemble several natural environments. Of course, with the station’s operations not exactly going right, these faux environments have weird distortions or replications — akin to the AI slop you see online. These environments, while twisted, were carefully designed by the developers and look fantastic.

Some of my favorite parts take place on the lunar surface. Since gravity is weaker outside the facility, Hugh’s thrusters allow him to jump higher or hover longer. This not only looks cool but adds another dimension (pun intended) to combat. I wish the game had more of these outdoor sections, but the ones we get are very memorable.

The environments are relatively enclosed and small, but there are plenty of hidden goodies to discover. This includes lunafilament that’s necessary for upgrades, along with items you can gift to a very appreciative Diana. The levels have a deliberate design, so if you see an area that appears inaccessible, there’s always a way of getting there.

On that last point, certain areas will require you to use your hacking abilities to access them. These mini-games are often easier since they don’t always have a time limit, nor are you being attacked. They can be a tad too simple, requiring nothing more than the correct button presses, but they do a nice job of breaking up the combat and making you feel like you’re exploring a real space station under lockdown.

Caves of Steel

When you need a break, you can use "Escape Hatches" (the game's fast-travel and checkpoint system) to return to the central hub known as The Shelter. Not only does it let you unwind, but it’s also where you can purchase upgrades with all the lunafilament and other resources you’ve discovered. One terminal is dedicated to upgrading your defenses, Diana’s hacking, and your primary weapon. The other lets you unlock more weapons, hacking abilities, suit upgrades, and more.

One item type you’ll find along the way is Cabin Coins, which you can give to a robot that’s appropriately called Cabin for rewards that you unlock via a Bingo display board. The rewards in question can be hacking nodes, files on enemies, upgrades, and more. Cabin can also change the music within the Shelter and lets you participate in various combat and time trials.

The Shelter is also where you develop your relationship with Diana, either by talking to her or gifting her items. This includes things like RC cars, sand castles, a tree with a swing, a slide, and other things kids enjoy. Seeing her marvel at these Earth-based items and play with them is extremely cute. It’s one of the game’s most charming aspects.

Ghost in the Shell

Pragmata is an absolute visual feast, which is no surprise given how it’s driven by the RE Engine — the same engine the equally gorgeous Resident Evil Requiem runs on. All the environments come to life thanks to their stunning level of detail. This is especially true for the manufactured locales, with their surreal aesthetic.

While the environments and character models are stunning, I was most impressed with Diana’s lifelike hair. Actually, I think obsessed might be a better word, since I can’t recall seeing hair look this natural and realistic in a video game. You can really see how lifelike her hair appears when you’re out on the lunar surface, and her hair begins floating around her like she’s underwater. Diana’s hair is almost like a character in its own right!

I played the entire game on PC and found it incredibly stable. There was never an instance where I had to endure weird bugs or glitches. In fact, I also barely heard my PC’s fans go above a whisper, which is a testament to how well optimized this title is. I played some of it on the PS5 Pro and found it looks and runs just as phenomenally. Unless a future patch messes things up, you should be in for a smooth gaming experience.

Pragmata review: Verdict

While the main story takes around ten hours to finish, you can extend your playtime with a boatload of post-game content, as well as completing all the in-game missions and finding every hidden collectible. Trust me, there’s a lot to do even when the credits roll. This is a game that keeps on giving.

There’s more I can say about Pragmata, but I want you to experience it yourself. It truly is one of this generation’s finest titles, a big-budget game that dares to be different. Pragmata is a fantastic reminder of why I love video games and is easily one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had in a long time. Capcom is firing on all cylinders these days, and Pragmata is more proof of that. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one!

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