Capcom Unveils Pragmata Gameplay Mechanics, Playable at Gamescom 2025
Capcom opened its Spotlight Showcase 2025 with a comprehensive gameplay reveal of Pragmata, diving deeper into its sci-fi narrative, puzzle-infused combat system, and dual-character dynamics. The highly anticipated title, which has undergone several delays since its original announcement, is now confirmed to be playable at Gamescom 2025, providing fans with their first hands-on experience of this mysterious lunar adventure.
Hacking, Shooting, and Storytelling on the Moon
In Pragmata, players control Hugh Williams, a grounded yet occasionally sarcastic astronaut who teams up with Diana, a curious, sentient android described as “an android with a heart.” Their mission is to investigate a silent lunar base, uncover its secrets, and survive its threats—both mechanical and narrative.
The game’s core gameplay loop combines puzzle-solving and third-person combat, requiring players to use both characters in tandem. Each combat scenario begins with Diana initiating a hacking sequence, which takes the form of a five-by-five node puzzle. Players must connect two green nodes while passing through as many blue nodes as possible. Only after completing this mini-game is Hugh able to break enemy armor and engage in ranged attacks.
This time-sensitive mechanic introduces a unique tension, as enemies will slowly approach during the hacking process. Managing positioning, selecting which enemies to prioritize, and reacting quickly becomes critical—especially when dealing with multiple opponents simultaneously.
Movement & Lunar Platforming
Combat isn’t the only thing that gets a futuristic twist. Hugh's thruster-powered maneuvering allows for both fluid movement during fights and dynamic platforming sequences across the gravity-altered environment of the lunar station. This mechanic enhances traversal and adds verticality and momentum to exploration and combat alike.
Narrative Depth in a Cold Frontier
Beyond the mechanics, Pragmata focuses heavily on its relationship-driven storytelling. Diana’s artificial innocence and Hugh’s more jaded perspective create a layered emotional foundation. The juxtaposition of human vulnerability and robotic curiosity promises a nuanced journey, wrapped in a dystopian science fiction setting.
Capcom hinted at further narrative depth during the showcase, teasing the secrets hidden within the silent lunar base and the true nature of Diana herself. With the game’s setting isolated from Earth, it leans into psychological and philosophical themes surrounding humanity, artificial life, and the cost of survival.
No Release Date Yet, But Gamescom Demo Confirmed
Although Pragmata still lacks a firm release date, Capcom reiterated that it is targeting a 2026 launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The most exciting news, however, is that a playable demo will be available at Gamescom 2025, marking the public's first direct interaction with the game.
For fans who have followed Pragmata’s long development journey since its mysterious reveal in 2020, this is a major milestone. The game's polished mechanics and immersive sci-fi presentation suggest that Capcom has taken the extra time to shape something truly distinct.
What are your impressions of Pragmata’s hacking-based combat and dual-character gameplay? Will you be lining up at Gamescom to try it out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
