Capcom’s upcoming sci-fi action title, Pragmata, is generating considerable discussion among gamers and tech enthusiasts as its release date approaches – slated for . Recent comparisons of the game’s demo across different platforms – PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2 – are revealing nuanced performance differences, particularly regarding visual fidelity and ray tracing implementation.
Testing conducted on PC utilized an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, running at native 4K resolution with DLAA enabled and maximum graphical settings. The PC version incorporates ray tracing for global illumination, shadows, and reflections. Comparisons with the PlayStation 5 Pro reveal that while the PC version exhibits greater detail in reflections and shadows, especially in close proximity to characters, the PS5 Pro version holds its own remarkably well. The PC benefits from native 4K resolution and DLAA, but the difference isn’t a dramatic leap, suggesting Capcom has optimized the PS5 Pro build effectively.
The PS5 Pro version operates in a single mode that blends graphical settings from the base PS5’s quality and performance modes, delivering ray tracing alongside a target frame rate of 60 frames per second. The use of PlayStation’s PSSR (Pseudo-Scale Resolution) technology on the Pro version significantly improves image quality and anti-aliasing compared to the standard PS5, regardless of the chosen performance mode.
On the standard PlayStation 5, Capcom appears to be employing a checkerboard rendering technique, scaling to 4K resolution. In “Quality” mode, ray tracing is enabled, but the demo suffers from noticeable aliasing – jagged edges on objects – detracting from the visual experience. “Performance” mode sacrifices ray tracing to achieve a smoother 60 FPS, but the resulting image lacks the visual richness of the ray-traced version. The Quality mode runs at 30 FPS.
The comparisons extend to the Nintendo Switch 2, where the game runs at a lower resolution than the Xbox Series S version. However, the Switch 2’s upscaling and filtering techniques appear to be superior, resulting in better shadow quality. Despite this, the Switch 2 struggles to maintain a consistent 60 FPS during more demanding gameplay sequences.
The core gameplay loop of Pragmata involves a unique combination of traditional shooting mechanics and hacking elements. Players control both Hugh and Diana, requiring strategic coordination between gunplay and hacking to overcome challenging encounters. Enemies possess high durability, necessitating the use of both combat and hacking to effectively defeat them.
The demo showcases a compelling sci-fi aesthetic, with impressive lighting and a strong art style, even on the less powerful platforms. While the Switch 2 version exhibits visual downgrades compared to the PS5, it remains a handsome game, leveraging its upscaling and filtering capabilities to deliver a playable experience.
Looking ahead, the PC version is expected to see further visual improvements with the potential implementation of Path Tracing, a more advanced ray tracing technique. However, the PS5 Pro is unlikely to receive this upgrade. The PC version, even in its current demo state, demonstrates good optimization, maintaining a frame rate above 70 FPS on the RTX 5080 without significant dips, even with shader compilation factored in.
Capcom’s approach with Pragmata appears to be a deliberate effort to maximize visual fidelity across a range of hardware. The PS5 Pro, in particular, benefits from careful optimization, delivering an experience that closely rivals the PC version without the need for significant compromises. The standard PS5 offers a playable experience, but requires a trade-off between visual quality, and performance. The Switch 2, while visually compromised, demonstrates Nintendo’s ability to extract impressive results from its hardware through clever software techniques.
The release of Pragmata on will be a significant event for Capcom, falling between the launches of Resident Evil Requiem and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The game’s unique blend of action and hacking, coupled with its striking visual presentation, positions it as a potentially standout title in the sci-fi genre.
