Pragmata Is Like Dead Space with Optimism

In this bonus Easter-themed episode of The Besties, the hosts dive into the long-awaited game Pragmata, a third-person action shooter from Capcom that blends Dead Space's atmospheric tension with a surprisingly optimistic tone and Mega Man-inspired mechanics. The game follows Hugh, a grizzled space marine, and Diana, a robot child he adopts, as they navigate a 3D-printed space station filled with puzzles, combat, and emotional storytelling. While the game's core gameplay—especially the Pipe Dream-style hacking minigames and Metroidvania-lite level design—is praised for its creativity and evolution over time, the writing and dialogue are criticized as wooden and overly on-the-nose, particularly in its blunt handling of adoption themes. Despite this, the hosts appreciate the game's boldness in avoiding clichés and its hopeful, humanist spirit. The episode also features sponsor segments for Reddit and Aura Frames, discussions on recent games like Nier Automata and The Witcher 3, and a deep dive into niche titles such as Shattered Pixel Dungeon and The King Is Watching. The hosts reflect on the joy of revisiting old games, the power of visual storytelling (like watching the Super Mario Bros. movie on mute), and the unique experience of Exit 8: The Movie, a live-action adaptation of a viral game.