In a surprising turn, Pragmata has captured a significant amount of interest with 466 votes, surpassing well-known titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Notably, these titles seem poised for release in the coming year. Pragmata’s popularity isn’t just a flash in the pan, either. Ever since its 2020 reveal, it has regularly featured in Famitsu reader polls and consistently secured a spot within the top three. To find a time it didn’t make it into the top 10 most desired games, you’d have to backtrack to September 2023.
The voting figures are intriguing, yet they lack context. Over the past five years, the glimpses we’ve caught of Pragmata have been limited to impressive cinematics and short gameplay clips, leaving us unsure about what exactly captivates Famitsu readers. I, too, was drawn in by the game’s initial reveal. However, its turbulent journey since then has left me somewhat skeptical, much like my feelings toward Deep Down—a once-promising Capcom project that never came to fruition.
Most of what we know about Pragmata stems from Capcom’s official marketing. It promises an “all-new action adventure” experience set in a dystopian near-future on the moon, with a story and setting described as profoundly deep. This description is consistent across the PlayStation and Xbox stores.
Recently, the development team announced, “With a heavy heart, we must further postpone the release of Pragmata. Our team is working hard to create the best game possible, but we require additional time. We remain committed to delivering a final product that justifies your patience.”
The question remains: Will Pragmata become another Deep Down, or will it surprise even its most dedicated fans like Fumito Ueda’s The Last Guardian did? Could Capcom be waiting for the next generation to release it? While it’s difficult to predict with certainty, one thing is evident—Pragmata has struck a chord with the gaming community. It would be unfortunate for Capcom to let such enduring enthusiasm go to waste.