Last Updated on May 20, 2026 @ 11:37:25 AM.
Capcom started 2026 with Resident Evil Requiem, which we gave one of the easiest 5/5’s we’ve ever given. They end the year with Onimusha, a long-awaited return to another iconic franchise for them. Smack-dab in the middle is Pragmata, an entirely new IP which many didn’t actually believe existed, after years-long silence from the developer. After so many hours with it, I am glad to say not only does it exist, but it’s worth every second of the six-year-long wait.
A third-person action-adventure-platforming experience, you take the reins of Hugh, a charismatic spaceman landing on a base positioned on the moon, alongside his three teammates. Eerily empty, completely devoid of human life and a lack of personnel, Hugh and his team are surprisingly chipper about the strange situation they find themselves in. Obviously, within mere minutes, shenanigans ensue and without any spoilers, the team is broken up and Hugh is alone. Until he meets Diana.
At first glance, Diana looks to be a young child in the wrong place. Weak, defenseless and unable to help. Except that couldn’t be more wrong. She’s every bit of Hugh’s equal, and quite literally saves his life, and is a HUGE part of the gameplay as time goes on, as you upgrade her (she’s an artificial lifeform) and make her hacking better and more useful. It’s a genuine change-up from the standard tropes most films and games showcase. And this is the crux of the gameplay throughout the admittedly shorter campaign. You’re pure brute force and anger with Hugh, using his guns (of which there are a few variations adding to the tactical aspects of the encounters) to dispatch enemies where possible,
The emotional crux of Pragmata is the dynamic between Hugh and Diana. With a father/daughter relationship quickly blooming, and having Hugh treat her like a real child, whilst Diana is all too blunt and honest with her lack of self-preservation, “You can just rebuild me again”, I found myself also joining in with Hugh’s worry for Diana as time passed on. I’m sure I wasn’t and won’t be the only one either.
The central gameplay loop of Pragmata seems simple on the face of it, and while it’s quick and easy to pick up, it can be difficult to fully master. Using Hugh’s variety of guns, you’ll shoot your way through as many enemies as possible, as quickly as possible. Target the glowing weak spots and your job is easier, hit the tough exoskeleton and you’ll be there longer. Thankfully, Diana’s portion of the gameplay helps there too, with her being an AI, she can hack into the robotic enemies and cause them distress that way. Different hacks have different results, offering variety there too. My favourite combination by far was using Multi-Hack and Confuse together, as that’d result in multiple enemies attacking each other at once, all whilst I, as Hugh, would blast them into oblivion. It honestly felt like a cheat code sometimes.
And that’s where Pragmata really shines. Unlocking, and learning how to combine the different hacks together to weave maximum destruction is something I never got bored of. Sure, there were some hacks I thought were less useful to my style of gameplay than others, but they all got used, and unlocking a new one was always another dopamine hit. Plus, it hit the nostalgia feeling as every hack is like a little minigame that reminded me all too much of Snake on the old Nokia’s back in the day.
Might be the Best Graphics of the Year
In a time where even indie games can strive for photo-realistic graphics, there’s certainly less weight placed on them than years gone by. Multiple engines allow it at the push of a button, and whilst optimisation is heavily down to the developers in question, incredible graphics are less so. With that said, Capcom pushed the boat out so far with how Pragmata looks and runs, it’s unfair for me to say otherwise. One of the best experiences my eyes has had this year, and in recent years. With both Ray Tracing and Path Tracing on, NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 activated, you’d expect some sort of performance hit. Not only was it beautiful to look at, there was ZERO lag, stuttering, frame rate drops or any other such issues you’d expect me to have experienced. It’s a genuine marvel.
Add to that that the environments were engaging and beautiful throughout, from odd versions of New York to vibrant forest/office locations, and to the moon itself, the visual aspects of Pragmata are as good as we’ve even gotten. Seems to be a regular comment these days, but I’d be shocked if we get better than this.
In between poignant moments and incredible locales, your time fighting ‘lesser’ enemies like humanoid robots or GIANT WALKING BABY ROBOTS, you’re going to end up in a boss fight. Big and small, these are few and far between, but peppered enough that they keep you on your toes (similar to the hard Red Rooms throughout the levels – mini-missions with much harder situations, basically), and will test your abilities, but also your understanding of both Hugh and Diana’s capabilities. Especially the very first one, a giant skyscraper of a boss situated in a version of Time’s Square, New York, I died multiple times because I was too busy appreciating and staring at the monster in front of me, rather than trying to kill it.
For sci-fi fans, fathers, action adventure nerds or just people that like a pleasant view in front of them, Pragmata might just be the go-to game in 2026. It’s unique in that you have two aspects of gameplay to cope with simultaneously, a story that whilst is relatively paint-by-numbers, will still pull on your heartstrings, and two characters that definitely deserve more stories about them. Plus, giant robot babies is a terrifying experience I had to endure, so you should too.
Pragmata
Pragmata is a unique, sci-fi action-adventure game from Capcom. Follow Hugh, a member of an ill-fated investigation team, and Diana, a young android, as they navigate a lunar facility taken over by rogue AI in search of a way to Earth.
Summary
Pragmata feels like a love letter to numerous sci-fi IPs, and while it may have taken six years to actually release, it seems every single day was one well used by the developers. Gorgeous to look at, fun to play and like a brain worm that’ll keep you thinking about it, Capcom is having an incredible 2026, and a great flagbearer for taking a risk on new IPs.
HOURS PLAYED: 19
PLAYED ON: PC
- Hugh and Diana dynamic is beautifully handled.
- Some of the best graphics ever, potentially.
- The dual gameplay loops are incredibly engaging. Hacking as Diana whilst blasting as Hugh? Great fun.
- The story is kinda cliche, and isn't pushing any barriers.
- The in-game map is less informative and more irritating to use.
For more from us, check out our review of Resident Evil Requiem.
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
