Pragmata’s version of New York City puts the real Times Square to shame

Pragmata, the latest third-person sci-fi epic from Capcom, unfolds primarily on the lunar surface—yet a significant portion of its opening acts takes place within a digital recreation of New York City’s Times Square. This isn’t the bustling, grimy landmark we know; it’s a 3D-printed replica rendered through advanced lunar technology. While it mirrors the aesthetic of the real thing—right down to the iconic yellow cabs and towering digital billboards looming over protagonist Hugh and his android companion, Diana—it possesses a distinct charm that makes it vastly more appealing than the chaotic tourist trap just a subway ride away.

Ask any local about Times Square, and you’ll likely be met with a grimace. Most New Yorkers avoid the area entirely, venturing there only under duress—perhaps to catch an obscure indie flick at the 42nd Street AMC or because the city’s labyrinthine transit system forces a connection through the central subway hub. For residents, it is a place to be navigated quickly and discreetly, far from the reach of the tourist-laden sidewalks.

Image: Capcom via Polygon

The primary grievance? The relentless swell of visitors. While New York thrives on its status as a global destination—welcoming over 65 million annual visitors according to recent tourism data—that foot traffic coalesces into a dense, inescapable throng in Times Square. It’s a gauntlet of candy-store impulse buys, billboard gawking, and the repetitive cycle of influencer-style photoshoots.

Compare that to the sterile, haunting solitude of Pragmata’s lunar iteration. Here, there isn’t a soul in sight. Hugh and Diana can traverse the neon-lit thoroughfares without fear of photobombing a stranger’s selfie or being deafened by the inevitable, 24/7 loop of “Empire State of Mind.” Sure, they occasionally face hostility from rogue AI-controlled machines, but at the very least, these robotic threats seem to respect the rules of the sidewalk.

Image: Capcom via Polygon

Furthermore, Pragmata’s version is refreshingly affordable. A billboard advertises a gourmet-looking spicy BBQ burger for $5.99—a price point that feels like science fiction in today’s New York economy. In the real Times Square, you’re more likely to settle for overpriced, lukewarm pasta at a chain restaurant. When Hugh mentions he prefers a “little bit of mess,” I find myself pushing back. Having navigated the city’s actual landscape of garbage bags and urban decay, I find the pristine, quiet allure of the lunar city to be a welcome upgrade. If we’re going to make a mess, let it be with high-tech robot debris.

Image: Capcom via Polygon

Beyond the cultural satire, this sequence serves a vital role in Pragmata’s level design. It acts as a clever subversion of expectations. After spending time in the monochromatic, repetitive hallways of the research base, you might brace yourself for a game of uniform environments. Then, the game drops you into this surreal NYC landscape, shattering that monotony. Suddenly, you’re weaving through glitches in reality, platforming across rooftops, and inspecting the menus of digital diners.

Image: Capcom via Polygon

By manifesting an imitation of Times Square on the moon, Capcom proves they are willing to take bold creative risks. The transition from industrial research facilities to bizarre, 3D-printed forests and cityscapes keeps the pacing unpredictable and engaging. Pragmata excels because it doesn’t just offer standard action; it offers a re-imagined world that feels both familiar and alien. And frankly, it’s a relief to finally enjoy a walk through Times Square without being serenaded by street performers or dodging crowds—even if it is thousands of miles above Earth.

Source: Polygon