Pragmata was... just okay

[MegaHiro91]

When so many people concurrently agree that something is great, I tend to gaslight myself into believinh that I'm just being the bitter contrarian for the sake of it, yet after playing Pragmata that I had waited 6 years for since its first teaser in 2020 - then 4 years of silence which gave it a sort of mythical status - to its release here a couple weeks ago... I feel it wasn't the unique pioneer I had dreamed it up to be.

Don't get me wrong, it delivered what it promised: this new hybrid og gunning and hacking, but in a gaming world LITTERED with 3rd person shooters and father-daughter/son stories, I had hoped for/expected something a bit deeper and more fleshed out. I am not sure what exactly I hoped for or expected, but I have this nagging feeling that, while a fine enough surface-level experience - The Last of Us but in space - it really doesn't bring anything new we haven't already seen or feels like a 6 year game, which is why (my cynical side talking) the made Diana the poster girl, because they knew that at least cuteness sells and controversy is free marketing.

Did ya'll pick it up and what do you think?

I thought Capcom would break new grounds with this one, but just like how Death Stranding seemed like this big new innovator until we got the game, the mystery disappeared, and it turned out to just be a fedEX walking simulator, I have now once and for all learned my lesson that nothing is special or unique anymore.

 

[DiRtY-StEvE]

I'm looking to see how people feel as well. Don't know much about this one.

 

[Ikagura]

I'd argue that video games don't need to be deep to be good.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Looks pretty impressive, but also a bit overrated/overhyped — objectivity is dead.

 

[seaglass]

I'd argue that video games don't need to be deep to be good.

True, but when a particular genre is oversubscribed, if it wants to stand out then a new game in that genre needs to either (a) go really deep into the genre mechanics and take them to their logical conclusion, or (b) subvert the mechanics entirely/combine them with other genre mechanics.

 

[-------]

I haven't played it yet. Let's see when I'll catch up on it.

 

[Dr.Kisaragi Dr.Kisaragi]

Well to be honest I really don't care if is unique or special if the game is fun and not boring then I'm okay

Although I didn't play since I don't have the system to play so umm I just saw on YouTube it looks like Vanquish with a kid hack mechanic.

 

[Ikagura]

Looks pretty impressive, but also a bit overrated/overhyped — objectivity is dead.

Has objectivity ever truly existed?

True, but when a particular genre is oversubscribed, if it wants to stand out then a new game in that genre needs to either (a) go really deep into the genre mechanics and take them to their logical conclusion, or (b) subvert the mechanics entirely/combine them with other genre mechanics.

I'd still argue that subversion doesn't make everything systematically more interesting and that being different and being better aren't mutually exclusive.

Although I didn't play since I don't have the system to play so umm I just saw on YouTube it looks like Vanquish with a kid hack mechanic.

It's arguably slower than Vanquish but I was also thinking of it.

 

[BrawlMan]

I am loving the game honestly. I have not finished yet, and took a break to finish some other games.

 

[random0nonsense]

I played the demo and it did not blow me away. I could see picking it up on sale but it didn't feel like a must play.

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

I haven't played it, so my feelings about the game are simple conjecture based upon the promotional material, trailers, and a few gameplay videos I've watched.

And I must admit, I was uninterested from the start.

Annoying kid side-kick with extremely grating voice acting (I blame the direction and not the actor themselves) in a toothless Dead Space knock off. Pass.

I think many (but not all) big releases nowadays play it very safe, because so much money goes into their development. There's more at stake than ever. So modern media tends to take fewer risks to make something more accessible to everyone, and maximize the chance of netting stakeholders a healthy return on investment.

I'm sure it's fine. Just fine. One step above mediocre. Beige wallpaper. £70 Yeah no.

 

[Ikagura]

...in a toothless Dead Space knock off.

Ironic since Death Space itself took elements from RE:4.

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

Ironic since Death Space itself took elements from RE:4.

You're right - Dead Space is just Resident Evil 4 in space.

Dead Space 2 is a much better Survival Horror game than Resident Evil 4 though (in my opinion).

 

[Tortuga]

Gameplay looks pretty generic and boring to me
Seems like the saving grace is story and bonding between MC and loli robot
And yeah i guess it's cute but honestly not enough for me to buy the game, though i do understand why some people might like it

It was in development hell for so many years suprised game even come out at all
At least Capcom didn't turn it into your typical online slop so i could be much worse

 

[BrawlMan]

Annoying kid side-kick with extremely grating voice acting (I blame the direction and not the actor themselves) in a toothless Dead Space knock off. Pass.

I would not call it a "knock off", since Pragmata is taking from RE4 and Vanquish. For the latter, the director who worked on Pragmata, worked on Vanquish and Metal Gear Rising. Pragmata plays like a grounded version of Vanquish more than some "RE4 knockoff". Pat and Woolie go into some deep depth with how the gameplay works, and is similar, yet different from a lot of shooters. The game always knows how to change it up in the right ways, and has enemy variety that works for many of the encounters. Diana ain't annoying either. An annoying kid side kick character would be Luka from W101.

You're right - Dead Space is just Resident Evil 4 in space.

Yes, and over the shoulder System Shock 2. The Dead Space Remake being the better System Shock 2 as well.

Dead Space 2 is a much better Survival Horror game than Resident Evil 4 though (in my opinion).

As is the Dead Space 1/Remake and Evil Within 2. Though I find plenty of over the shoulder shooters better than RE4. RE5, Shadows of the Damned, Alan Wake 1 & 2, and Evil West.

@Kamako, check this take out I have time stamped by Seraphim17.

 

[Ikagura]

Gameplay looks pretty generic and boring to me
Seems like the saving grace is story and bonding between MC and loli robot
And yeah i guess it's cute but honestly not enough for me to buy the game, though i do understand why some people might like it

It was in development hell for so many years suprised game even come out at all
At least Capcom didn't turn it into your typical online slop so i could be much worse

Could you refrain from calling Diana a "loli robot" please? Thank you.

 

[KamakoKamako's icon]

I would not call it a "knock off", since Pragmata is taking from RE4 and Vanquish.

I was being overly dismissive, admittedly. Then again, comparing media to other media is inherently reductive, and (charitably) says very little about either game, except the time that they were released and some shared genre tropes.

@Kamako, check this take out I have time stamped by Seraphim17.

I can appreciate their opinion. To me, every survival horror game I've played leans more heavily into action than true survival horror. Dead Space 1 & 2 both being amongst the most action-oriented of the ones I've played. Having a metal plated outfit and the ability to (temporarily) freeze time makes Clarke pretty OP xD

Best part of the Dead Space games (for me) was the fight in the school assembly hall, especially on higher difficulties. On Zealot difficulty, I saved every bullet I possibly could to combat the swarms of enemies, and still had to resort to throwing wild punches and stomping out a good 30% of the onslaught. A truly desperate few minutes of survival horror gameplay.

 

[zombie100379]

you may have only played a small part of the game , 30 or 40 dlc packs are probably on the way followed by the complete edition in around 18 months time with 41 dlc packs.

 

[Dr.Kisaragi Dr.Kisaragi]

Could you refrain from calling Diana a "loli robot" please? Thank you.

To be honest I don't why people this days called kids loli I mean they are kids character even os a robot or human they act like kids not adults.

 

[BrawlMan]

To be honest I don't why people this days called kids loli I mean they are kids character even os a robot or human they act like kids not adults.

Because certain people have been in the anime stereotype ecosphere for too long, or they think they are being clever (the people who do that are usually not) by saying it.

 

[Tortuga]

Could you refrain from calling Diana a "loli robot" please? Thank you.

No

 

[BrawlMan]

No

I wouldn't expect anything more from you. Not surprising. You could do better to work on your taste and attitude.

 

[Rocket2049]

honestly just upset i can't play it (yet) and the internet won't STFU about the game.
my ps5 is jacked up (shuts off due to overheating, only on PS5 games, my ps4 games work fine LOL)
and i refuse to deal with denuvo on PC. plus i don't buy literally anything full price anymore.

 

[JellyjamLu]

Not played it myself, so my judgment will be null and void from the rip. but based on OP's statment I kinda feel the energy your giving.

I can totally see that without Diana as the cute star, it would be rather forgettable and like you also said, in a sea of similar genre's fitting the bill. it's eh... ok.

It's technically impressive though, but based on some reviews, gameplay etc. not really my cup of tea.
If i were to review it solely based on the live streams I saw, probably around a 7 but hey I haven't played it, just my gut gamer instinct flaring up.

 

[ZEGA ZONICZEGA ZONIC's icon]

Why are we calling Diana a "loli"? You guys need to get your heads checked.