With an impressive 466 votes, Pragmata has outshined major contenders like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—titles that seem poised for release within the year. This isn’t just a stroke of luck, either. Since its debut back in 2020, Pragmata has consistently captured the attention of Famitsu readers, often ranking in the top three of their coveted polls. You’d have to travel back to September 2023 to find a magazine issue where it didn’t feature among the top 10 most anticipated games.
These numbers are indeed striking, but they fail to paint the full picture. Over the last five years, our glimpses of Pragmata have been limited to a few captivating cinematics and short gameplay teasers. It leaves us, and evidently Famitsu’s readership, pondering what exactly about this game sparks such enthusiasm. I confess—I was drawn in from its initial reveal. But its turbulent development journey inevitably relegated it in my mind to the same category as Deep Down, another captivating Capcom project that, unfortunately, never made it to players’ screens.
As it stands, the bulk of Pragmata’s intrigue stems from Capcom’s promotional materials, which bill it as “an all-new action adventure title that explores a near-future dystopian world on the moon, with a deeply profound story and setting.” This narrative is echoed both in the descriptions on the PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
Unfortunately, delays have been part of Pragmata’s story, as expressed in a heartbreaking announcement from the development team: “We regret to inform you that we must further postpone the release of Pragmata. Our team is working tirelessly to create the best game possible, but we need more time. We strive to ensure the final product is worth your patience.”
Is Pragmata destined to become another abandoned endeavor like Deep Down, or can it stage a comeback resembling Fumito Ueda’s The Last Guardian, coming out of nowhere to thrill even its most loyal fans? Could Capcom be aiming for a next-gen release? While it’s tough to predict, one thing is undeniable: Pragmata has made a significant impact on the gaming community, and it would be a grave misstep for Capcom to let that enthusiasm slip away once more.
