I got to try Pragmata at Summer Game Fest, and it’s shaping up to be something special. This isn’t your typical shooter – it mixes gunplay with clever hacking mechanics that keep battles fresh.
You play as Hugh, an astronaut stranded on a space station with Diana, a barefoot android girl who rides on your back. When robots attack, your guns barely scratch their armor. That’s where Diana comes in – she hacks enemies to expose weak points.
The hacking works like a grid puzzle:
- Use face buttons to move a cursor (△=up, □=left, etc.)
- Reach the end point to break enemy armor
- Optional paths give bonuses like extra damage
At first, juggling hacking while dodging attacks feels hectic. But after a few fights, it clicks into a satisfying rhythm. The demo gave me three guns to play with:
- A standard pistol
- A powerful shockwave shotgun
- A stasis gun that traps enemies in bubbles
Flying drones and walking tanks kept me on my toes. The coolest moment came when I found hacking nodes – these add buffs to your hacks if you route through them. You can even stack multiple bonuses if you plan your path well.
The demo ended abruptly before a boss fight (why, Capcom?!), but left me wanting more. Pragmata’s unique combat could be a real standout when it launches. That hacking system turns every shootout into a tactical puzzle – and Diana’s constant chatter keeps things lively.
Between this and Resident Evil 9, Capcom’s cooking up some exciting stuff. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long for more Pragmata gameplay!
What do you think about this gun-hacking hybrid? Would you give it a shot?