Pragmata: Accessibility, gameplay, and inclusive options in Capcom's new title

The subject of numerous delays, no one would have given a cent to a gunplay game heavily based on an arcade minigame; yet, Pragmata managed to convince the public , proving to be a breath of fresh air among titles of its kind.

We're in the near future, on a lunar base called "The Cradle," where the mined material (lunite) is transformed into unique lunar fiber. This, through 3D printing, is capable of generating any known component of matter with the support of robots and AI systems. After the human workers go into radio silence, a team of scientists is sent to investigate, but a lunar earthquake decimates the team, leaving the protagonist, Hugh, injured and near death. Luckily, he's saved by a mysterious little girl capable of speaking binary code, who introduces herself to him as a Pragmata: an android capable of hacking the systems of IDUS, the artificial intelligence that, in true cliché, has rebelled against the humans within the base.

With this in mind, Pragmata's gameplay structure revolves around a father-daughter relationship, a symbiotic one essential to the plot , resulting in fresh and well-balanced gunplay. The mechanics are simple: Diana—as Hugh nicknamed Pragmata— hacks by moving within an arcade minigame , a grid composed of nodes with different offensive and defensive stats, without which it would be impossible to take down the various robots we encounter. This hacking system is the basis of every game mechanic, be it a door to open, a node to unlock, or a section of the map blocked by IDUS.

Accessibility between hacking and interface

Speaking of accessibility, as we usually do in this column, Pragmata is quite challenging to play for those with coordination issues. Despite this, the game manages to be playable from a variety of perspectives, accommodating various types of disabilities , thanks to a well-designed and implemented accessible features system. Starting with the initial difficulty, it offers two modes: easy and normal; if the latter proves too challenging, the game offers the option to relegate a level each time you are knocked down.

While it may seem complicated in words, the "hack and then shoot" mechanic is actually simpler than it seems, thanks in part to Capcom making it easy to execute even for those with some difficulty. While coordinating character movement and hacking can be tricky, the game allows you to activate automatic hacking to focus solely on the shooting phase.

In addition to automatic hacking, those who prefer to keep the phase in manual mode can use the PC version's mouse-assisted hacking feature to adjust the strength of the aim assist at the center of the hacking matrix, a sort of magnetic attachment to the node. As for character movement, there are toggles for single-press activation of running, aiming mode, moon fiber removal, and the ability to single-press the hacking action.

Finally, the control configuration is fully available for both controllers and mouse and keyboard , even allowing you to choose the keys for interactions with Diana inside the shelter. As for the HUD, it's currently the most complete component in terms of accessibility, although it lacks color blind presets and high contrast features. However, each interface element can be deactivated individually, with the option to choose the color for the various reticle types.

The tab regarding the language and subtitles is also well-stocked : here it is possible to decide the size and background, activate the name of the speaker and the audio description for the deaf, and then choose the colour for both elements.

How does it perform on Switch 2?

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Pragmata , like that of Resident Evil Requiem , despite the necessary technical compromises (such as the removal of strand-based hair rendering and a lower resolution in portable mode), holds up more than well. Even... when it comes to accessibility! Pragmata retains all the accessibility options available on other platforms, while also benefiting from some system-specific integrations that enhance its inclusivity.

The game takes full advantage of Nintendo's new accessibility APIs , which have made a huge leap forward in terms of inclusivity this year. Thanks to the new dedicated system menu, you can take advantage of advanced button mapping to override the original commands with custom profiles saved directly on the console.

Added to this is the system zoom, a magnification function activated by a simple double-tap of the Home button that is particularly valuable in portable mode for deciphering the node data in Diana's grid, thus making up for the information density of the HUD.

Finally, while the base version of the title still lacks color blindness presets, Switch 2 users can work around this by using system-wide color filters like inversion, grayscale, or high contrast, significantly improving the readability of robotic enemies and targeting reticles during hectic gameplay.

In conclusion…

Pragmata presents itself as a title that isn't afraid to take risks , blending an intimate narrative with experimental gameplay that could easily have alienated some players. However, Capcom's approach demonstrates a mature awareness: the complexity of the "hack & shoot" system is mitigated by a range of accessibility options that allow a wide range of players to enjoy Hugh and Diana's adventure. While the title still has room for improvement—particularly the lack of colorblind presets and a high-contrast mode—the work done on process automation and control customization is commendable. In short, Pragmata is proof that seemingly difficult arcade mechanics can become welcoming, when supported by a design that is attentive to different abilities. A journey to the moon, with no intention of leaving any astronaut behind.

You can also find this article on Switch and Chill, the magazine that talks about video games in all their aspects.

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