Pragmata Hands-On: A Game With Old-School Cool, Lots Of Heart

"Some part of me feels that could just as easily be one of those mementos of Earth. That's because playing feels like stepping through time, which is neither a comment on the quality of its gameplay or its fidelity, both places in which it is no slouch. Rather, it's a comment on its essence."

"Much has been made of its old-school sensibilities; It wears its deference to classic design principles on its sleeve. But I think its essence can be boiled down to a simpler notion: it feels untainted by the cynicism of post-2010s AAA games development."

"It is a game that embellishes rather than reduces, which doesn't make it maximalist, but does make it earnest. It is unafraid to color-code weapon pick-ups and power-ups, and situate them on an old-school weapon wheel."

The game features Diana, a child robot companion, exploring an abandoned moon base recreation of Earth locations like Times Square. Players control Hugh in an exosuit, discovering earthen artifacts and touchstones that evoke nostalgia. The experience feels like stepping through time, embodying Xbox 360-era sensibilities through its design philosophy. Rather than adopting retro aesthetics superficially, the game's vintage qualities permeate its core mechanics and presentation. It embraces old-school design principles without cynicism, featuring bold creative swings including a prominent stylish UI, color-coded weapon pickups, and traditional weapon wheels. The game prioritizes earnest embellishment over reduction, unafraid to make distinctive visual and mechanical choices.

Read at Kotaku