Capcom is starting off the year off strong with Resident Evil: Requiem. As both a longtime horror lover and gamer, I thought a new Resident Evil game would be at the top of my wish list, especially when it comes to Capcom offerings. To my surprise, that's not the case. Don't get me wrong, I think Resident Evil: Requiem looks stellar. Getting to play as Leon Kennedy and hack away at zombies again is really exciting, and Grace Ashcroft looks like an interesting new character who will help keep RE Requiem balanced between survival horror and action-packed gore. However, Capcom has another game coming out a few months after RE Requiem that has even more of my attention: Pragmata.
Over the years, Capcom has built one of the most impressive franchise rosters in gaming. Pragmata marks a new era for the company, though. As a brand-new IP, Pragmata is bringing something new to the table from Capcom for the first time in years. Some of the discourse surrounding Pragmata has been a bit divisive, and that honestly surprised me. The controls are trying something fresh, and the story looks like it's bound to have a lot of heart combined with heavy action. Of course, some of the reluctance to be excited about Pragmata stems from Monster Hunter Wilds' abysmal performance at launch, but that doesn't mean Requiem and Pragmata are bound to have the same fate. There is also skepticism surrounding Pragmata's unique combat mechanics, but that's one of the main things that has me so invested. Now that a playable demo is available, I'm more excited than ever.
Pragmata's Combat Mechanics Won't Be For Everyone, But They're Definitely For Me
I love hacking-and-slash and basic shooting as much as the next gamer, but it can quickly become repetitive. If there isn't a special spark that makes the combat feel like it's an integral piece of that game's world, I can grow a little bit bored. To me, some of the best combat and defense mechanics of the past decade have been with games like Returnal, The Last of Part 2, God of War, Sekiro, Control, and Alan Wake 2. Of course, Alan Wake 2 is going to be the black sheep on that list for some, but the flashlight mechanic scratches my brain and adds to the series' unique identity. I really value unique combat, and between Pragmata and PS5 exclusive Saros, April is going to be a busy month for me.
Pragmata's Hacking System Promises a Multi-Tasking Challenge
In Pragmata, enemy AI robots are protected with armor that can only be removed by hacking and disabling it. So, when enemies approach, a hacking mini-game is displayed and has to be successfully completed in a short amount of time before any damage can be done. This is going to be a turn-off for gamers who prefer to shoot and slice whenever they see fit. For me, though, this is just the balancing act I'm craving in combat mechanics. Having to use both sides of my brain in order to take on enemies sounds like a really fun challenge that could make it one of the most engaging combat systems of the year. Fighting in Pragmata forces you to stop and concentrate while also commenting on the power of AI, and that's very cool.
There were reservations about just how well the mechanic would work, but Pragmata's demo that Capcom dropped last month seems to have ignited a lot more optimism. It's a bold approach for a new IP, but it's necessary to make the game's world feel that much more believable.
Pragmata launches on April 24.
I Feel Like Pragmata's Story is Setting Me Up For an Emotional Roller Coaster
The story has two protagonists, Hugh Williams and Diana. Hugh is an astronaut, while Diana is an android that looks like a little girl. From the trailer alone, the dynamic between Hugh and Diana looks incredibly sweet. The two have to work together to destroy the hostile robots living in the lunar research facility they find themselves in. It's clear that Pragmata's story is setting up a father-daughter kind of bond between these characters, but it also has me worried that tragedy is going to play a part, too.
Whether it's Diana's origins or Hugh's backstory, the trailers for Pragmata feel like they're foreshadowing a story beat that's going to punch me right in the heart. I'm a sucker for that. Pragmata has some serious Death Stranding vibes, but the father-daughter dynamic could also be a little reminiscent of The Last of Us. Bonds like Joel and Ellie and Sam and Lou always get to me, and I hope Pragmata nails the same emotional notes.
Pragmata Could Be One of 2026's Biggest Surprises
The list of games coming out in 2026 is absolutely stacked with exciting choices. Beyond games like RE Requiem, Saros, and Pragmata, there is Marvel's Wolverine, Fable, Control Resonant, 007 First Light, and, of course, GTA 6 on the way. Last year was packed with hits, and 2026 is shaping up to be on par with its roster. There are potentially even more announcements on the way, too. Pragmata has some serious competition, but I'm crossing my fingers that it delivers on what it's promising. The world looks fascinating, the characters are compelling, the combat is inventive, and it simply looks beautiful.
For Pragmata to truly work as a concept, though, almost every feature has to be nailed. From the combat balance to the emotional story moments, it has to flow seamlessly into one another, or it might knock the whole thing off balance and feel more bizarre than unique. I'm optimistic, though. After so many delays and years of waiting, Pragmata's development has hopefully given it the time it needs to ensure all parts function well together. Of course, the real deciding factor will be Pragmata's release. The demo is strong, but a short span of gameplay can't speak for an entire game. Regardless, I'm really eager to find out what Pragmata is all about.
