Pragmata has caught the attention of many, garnering 466 votes and outshining some heavy hitters like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s worth noting that these contenders seem poised to debut within the upcoming year. Interestingly, Pragmata’s prominence isn’t just a fleeting moment. Since its unveiling back in 2020, it’s consistently appeared in Famitsu reader polls and has often secured a spot among the top three favorites. You’d have to look back as far as September 2023 to find a Famitsu issue where Pragmata wasn’t ranked among the top 10 most anticipated games.
Despite the buzz, the numbers don’t quite paint the full picture. We’ve only gotten tiny glimpses of Pragmata over the past five years through visually stunning cinematics and short gameplay teasers. This leaves a bit of mystery about what exactly has fans so captivated. I have to say, when it first came to light, I too found myself drawn to it. However, considering its bumpy road to release, it’s fallen into that same category as Deep Down for me—a promising Capcom project that, unfortunately, never materialized.
What we do know about Pragmata largely stems from Capcom’s own marketing blurbs. They bill it as “an all-new action adventure game set in a near-future dystopian world on the moon, with a deeply profound narrative and setting.” Both the PlayStation and Xbox stores echo this description.
At one point, the development team shared a poignant message: “We regret to announce a further postponement of Pragmata’s release. Our team is diligently working to create the best game we possibly can, but more time is needed. Rest assured, we’re committed to delivering a final product that justifies your continued patience.”
The big question remains: Is Pragmata destined to follow in the footsteps of Deep Down, or could it stage a bold comeback like Fumito Ueda’s The Last Guardian, surprising even its most dedicated fans? Perhaps Capcom is eyeing a launch for the next console generation? Though it’s tough to predict, one thing’s certain: Pragmata has made a significant impact on gamers’ imaginations, and it would be a missed opportunity for Capcom to let that excitement dwindle once more.
