Playing Pragmata

This play through does not start from the very beginning. I didn’t know I wanted to capture this gameplay until I got deeper into the game. It’s possible, however, I’ll go back to the starting level in New Game+ or on a higher difficulty. Regardless, the gameplay I did capture reflects the key story beats and Pragmata’s best parts. This is a great game with a solid story, unique gameplay, and intriguing lore bolstered by unique enemies. There are also an addicting number of discoverable, unlockables, and challenges to add depth and scratch the itch in a completionist’s brain. The Switch 2 held up well throughout the playthrough, even in graphically busy areas with intricate backgrounds. There were a number of moments where the frame rate noticeably dropped or hiccupped, and textures were sometimes blurry with a general graininess to the game as a whole. I’m sure Pragmata looks better on more powerful consoles or the PC, but I was curious how the Switch 2 would handle a game like this and had plenty of opportunity to appreciate the handheld portability. I feel like if portability is not a key value driver for you, you’ll have a better, smoother experience on a different system, but I don’t have any regrets playing on the Switch 2. Overall, since I don’t have much time to devote to all the games I’d like to play, I’m glad I took the time to experience this one.

Part 1

So this isn’t really “Part 1” as the Terra Dome is technically the third sector, or level, but this is where I picked up recording my gameplay. By this point, I’m impressed with the pseudo world on the Moon where Pragmata occurs. The levels have not been overly challenging, but I am still getting a good sense of accomplishment for any progress I make. Pragmata’s exploration is also appreciated because it’s not “run all over a giant map and lose the plot” exploration, but rather has “hey, maybe check around this corner” secrets which reward you for being curious while keeping you pointed in the right direction. Frankly, that approach is refreshing. The game’s combat is probably its biggest strength and differentiator. The gunplay coupled with hacking mini game requires a degree of metal agility and physical dexterity to be effective. I’m no master at it, but when I pull off a smooth hack-and-shoot combo, it feels pretty bad-ass.

Part 2

The Terra Dome already feels like one of the more expansive and technically challenging Pragmata levels. I’m not going to expound on the Switch 2’s lagging graphical performance compared to other platforms, but so far, I feel it’s put on a good with Pragmata. I’ve not felt deprived of any positive experience with the game’s looks or performance. The Terra Dome’s lush biomes form a vibrant backdrop for Hugh and Diana’s battles. We’re also uncovering juicier lore to begin forming a picture of what happened on the moon and just what kind of organization Delphi is. Pragmata continues to show and peel back its layers.

Part 3

I don’t necessarily hate spiders; I hate being surprised by them. Consequently, I don’t really appreciate spider-like things, and this level introduces cloaked spider-ish robots that can unexpectedly grab you from the shadows. Thanks, Pragmata, I really wanted to have to change my pants. And then, we get to the Terra Dome boss, which is scorpion-like bot that’s fast with arena-spanning reach. This boss fight was one of those that never felt like I discovered the “trick” to taking it down, I just survived long enough to outlast it…the second time. Oh well, a win is a win.

Part 4

When I was younger, I looked up to the sky with awe, imagining being up in space and seeing the world from a rare perspective or taking in a small fraction of the galaxy’s vastness. I never had real ambitions to pursue becoming an astronaut, but even today, I look at the moon and wonder what that experience would be like. Pragmata allows me to play out some of that childhood dreaming as I send Hugh bounding across the Moon’s surface in low gravity. Only problem with this experience is the constant pursuit by the robotic equivalent of an Arrakis sand worm. It makes the experience less “high adventure vacation” and more “survival stroll”. Honestly, the moments where you are exposed on the Moon’s surface knowing the Luna Digger will emerge at any moment reminds me of games of yesteryear where you could fall in water and have a mere seconds to get out before some creature, often a shark, came from the depths to snag you (I’m looking at you Banjo Kazooie). At least in Pragmata you are armed with a number of options to keep the worm at bay or send it packing.

Part 5

This segment is probably one of my favorites, because it introduced new puzzles, enemies, and challenging encounters. The puzzles are in the form of “see block, push block”. I don’t try finesse them and just start moving blocks until I see a path open up or an obvious correction to my actions thus far. It is brute force puzzle solving at its finest. The Luna Digger is still around and stars in a particularly challenging arena stocked with some of Pragmata’s more challenging bots. This area requires a fair amount of patience and timing luck. There also is a new flying bot that looks like a bird of prey and requires fast action to slow its unrelenting attacks. Lastly, Pragmata features red key rooms which require special keys, red ones (you guessed it!), to access. You are then given the privilege of facing several waves of more challenging bots, or combinations of bots, in small arenas that limit maneuverability and time to process. Clearing these rooms, however, reward your bravery and skill with higher-value loot such as mods and perks to strengthen or diversify Hugh and Diana’s toolkit.