Pragmata Is a “Fun Uncle” Recreation

Upon the discharge of Pragmata, Capcom’s newest third-person shooter/hacker title, numerous critics recognized the story of human area traveler Hugh Williams and his childlike android buddy Diana as a “dad game.” Some labeled Pragmata as a “sad dad” recreation, whereas others rejected the “sad” descriptor, viewing it as a extra optimistic and cheerful tackle fatherhood versus notable “sad dad” titles reminiscent of God of War and The Last of Us. 

Having performed the sport myself, I’ve truly come to a wholly completely different conclusion: Pragmata is definitely a “fun uncle” recreation greater than anything.¹ Instead of a narrative of a lonely man discovering that means by way of a paternal relationship with a toddler — a relationship notably born out of necessity — Pragmata focuses on how an in any other case content material grownup good points a brand new appreciation for the easy issues in life by spending time with an simply excited, carefree kiddo.

To the Moon

For the uninitiated: Pragmata is a third-person motion recreation that takes place on an enormous base upon and throughout the Earth’s moon. Hugh Williams, the sport’s protagonist, works as a techniques engineer on the Delphi Corporation, which owns and operates the moon base often called the Cradle on the Moon, which homes an enormous 3D printer that may make something the person desires utilizing a selected materials known as lunafilament. Williams and a assist staff go to the Cradle to research why communications with Earth have been minimize off, after which a sudden moonquake separates Hugh from his staff. Hugh then meets a small android often called Pragmata D-I-0336-7 — or “Diana” as he calls her — who resembles a small human lady in each look and character. The two then work collectively to determine what precisely has been taking place on the Cradle, preventing off rogue hostile androids alongside the best way.

The relationship between Hugh and Diana serves as each the emotional cornerstone of the sport’s plot in addition to the reason for its fundamental gameplay hook (Diana rides on Hugh’s again and hacks enemy androids so Hugh can shoot them down). Despite being a seemingly superior Pragmata android — designed to help people on the Cradle with numerous duties — Diana seems, sounds, and acts like a bit of child, a minimum of when she’s not explaining complicated technological occasions in typical nonsense sci-fi robot-ese. She wears a blue jacket that appears huge and saggy on her, enjoys skipping round and taking part in hide-and-seek, and exudes immense pleasure at pretty banal points of humanity each time Hugh brings them up. ²

That final bit is important to understanding Diana as a toddler, even one able to taking down lethal robotic monstrosities. We have numerous examples in fashionable media of androids studying to look after others or just get pleasure from life by way of an appreciation of fundamental objects and phenomena, however Pragmata’s Diana feels completely different as a result of outdoors of fight situations, her conduct is essentially indistinguishable from that of an actual human toddler. 

When she and Hugh enterprise by way of a 3D-printed model of New York, she’s continuously asking questions like “Is every Earth city like this?” or “Do you live here?” the best way an everyday child seeing an enormous metropolis for the primary time would. When you’re taking her to a big terrarium-like space, she expresses fascination on the very concept of timber, vines, butterflies, and deer. Interspersed between moments like these are kernels of deeper conversations in regards to the quotidian points of human life, like when Hugh explains to Diana the thought of “found family,” as he’s an orphan himself. Just about the whole lot about life on Earth amazes her, simply as it could any actual little one.

Shiny Happy People

Nowhere does this youthful exuberance really feel extra palpable than when Hugh provides Diana a Read Earth Memory, or REM for brief. Throughout the primary recreation, the participant can discover collectible REMs and provides them to Diana each time they return to the Shelter, which serves as Pragmata’s fundamental hub the place the participant can buy upgrades, full non-compulsory coaching challenges, or simply relax and loosen up away from killer robots. When within the Shelter, you may give Diana a gift within the type of a REM, which then prints right into a set of objects resembling one thing a toddler on Earth would love, reminiscent of a playground slide, a swing set on a tree, a campfire, or a set of helium balloons. 

Some of my favourite moments in Pragmata are merely witnessing Diana’s pleasure at receiving a brand new REM. Once the objects are printed, she gazes in awe at this in any other case fundamental factor, after which instantly performs round with it. She can’t wait to inform Hugh all about how enjoyable it was to chase an errant balloon or fake she was tenting, and even provides him lovely drawings to thank him not only for the present, however for all the time speaking to her and listening to no matter she has to say. Later within the recreation, the participant even unlocks the flexibility to play a hide-and-seek mini-game with Diana, which is strictly as cute and endearing because it sounds. In the shelter, Diana simply will get to be a child, and Hugh will get to be a supportive guardian determine, glad to reply any of the lady’s questions on life or simply watch her excitedly play with these printed Earth toys.

Takes One To Know One

So, what makes Pragmata extra of a “fun uncle” recreation than a “happy dad” recreation? Truthfully, I take into account myself an skilled on issues of enjoyable uncles as a result of, effectively, I’m one. 

I’ve two fantastic nieces, aged two and 5, that I am keen on spending time with each time I can. Playing with them typically entails me taking orders on what my position needs to be in playtime, like taking “snacks” made out of moist sand clusters and feeding them to faux animal associates. Other instances, it entails taking weak beatings from the youthful one (unaware of her growing power) who’s simply attempting to get my consideration for some foolish face she’s making. I additionally ensure that to ask them inquiries to study extra about how their brains work (very similar to Hugh does with Diana), and I’m glad to pay attention, even when I’m being given detailed descriptions of the appearances of cartoon characters I’ve by no means heard of and can by no means take into consideration once more. I’m all the time delighted to be part of these moments, even when I’m a bit of exhausted by the top.³

The most fascinating and illuminating moments I’ve with my nieces, nonetheless, often happen after they’re projecting their restricted understanding of the world, typically in a approach that makes me snigger. The littler one used to excitedly refer to each wheeled, non-motorized car as “bike” and as soon as known as a stuffed dinosaur I gave her “baby dragon.” I as soon as noticed the older one endlessly giggle at what she known as the “happy cake,” which was a birthday cake the place the icing of the phrase “birthday” had been eaten, however not the “happy.” That identical child had turned her mother and father’ lounge sofa right into a diaper-changing station for her teddy bears a number of years earlier (in fact, she commanded me to wipe down these bears for her). 

These sorts of moments all the time stick out to me not simply because they’re a bit of humorous (although they’re). They’re additionally examples of children discovering humor or enjoyable in issues adults don’t even take into consideration, or a minimum of don’t take into consideration the identical approach youngsters do. I get an analogous feeling seeing Diana gazing at faux skyscrapers or attempting to determine how a slide works, as I’m capable of see these regular, on a regular basis issues the best way a toddler would.

Closing Thoughts

I in all probability gained’t ever be in a situation sooner or later the place one in every of these youngsters climbs on my again so we will take down killer area androids collectively. Still, I see elements of them in Diana, and consequently see elements of myself in Hugh. I see a person who, childless himself, finds kernels of pleasure in simply watching a child be a child. He doesn’t view taking part in hide-and-seek along with her as a burden, nor does he specific frustration at her incessant questions on the whole lot that’s occurred. He shortly and constantly admires Diana’s curious nature and genuinely enjoys being part of the enjoyable she has. 

Throughout Pragmata, Hugh grows right into a form of caretaker for Diana, nevertheless it by no means appears like he’s her new dad, particularly contemplating how effectively she will be able to defend herself in lots of situations. He simply desires her to be glad and protected, and finds appreciation in how impressed she is with issues he’s all the time taken without any consideration. He’s there to assist her when she wants it, however doesn’t must really feel fairly the identical stress that parenthood would foist upon him. That’s how I really feel round my nieces. That’s enjoyable uncle stuff.

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Pragmata, developed and printed by Capcom, launched on April 17, 2026, for PC (by way of Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

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