Pragmata managed to snag 466 votes, surprisingly surpassing major titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which all seem poised to launch within the upcoming year. Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated incident. Since its unveiling in 2020, Pragmata has become a regular feature in the Famitsu reader polls, often securing a spot in the top three in recent years. You’d have to flip back to the September 2023 issue of the magazine to find a time when it wasn’t listed among the top 10 most anticipated games.
While the voting results are certainly intriguing, they don’t really shed much light on the reasons behind the anticipation. Over the last five years, we’ve only had glimpses of Pragamata—its cinematic teasers and brief gameplay footage leave us guessing about what exactly it is that fans of Famitsu find so compelling. I was definitely captivated when the game was first announced, but its tumultuous journey so far has placed it in my mind alongside Deep Down, another ambitious Capcom title that ultimately faded away without release.
Currently, what we know about Pragmata is mostly from Capcom’s promotional material, which markets the game as “an all-new action adventure title set in a near-future dystopian world on the moon, featuring a deeply profound story and environment.” This is consistent with descriptions on platforms like the PlayStation and Xbox stores.
Back when Capcom announced a further delay, the development team expressed their regret, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that we must further postpone the release of Pragmata. Our team is currently hard at work making the best game that we possibly can, but we need more time. We will continue to do our best to ensure that the final product is one that is worthy of your patience.”
The question remains: Is Pragmata destined to join the ranks of unreleased dreams like Deep Down, or could it surprise even the most loyal supporters with a comeback similar to Fumito Ueda’s The Last Guardian? Perhaps Capcom is strategizing for a next-generation launch? It’s tough to predict, but one thing is certain—Pragmata has left a lasting mark on gamers, and it would be unfortunate if Capcom doesn’t harness that enduring enthusiasm.