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I am likely falling into the classic trap of cultural criticism—mistaking a handful of coincidences for a burgeoning trend—but stick with me, because there genuinely seems to be something shifting beneath the surface. I’m serious!
This week marks the arrival of Saros, the latest PlayStation 5 exclusive from Housemarque. Much like its predecessor Returnal, it is an action title defined by roguelike mechanics and a palpable, unsettling horror atmosphere. In that sense, it feels perfectly emblematic of our current 2026 gaming landscape.
Yet, Saros also functions as a straightforward sci-fi romp where you control a character wielding a laser weapon. There is something timeless, even comforting, about its old-school sensibilities. This sentiment feels even more pronounced regarding the other major release that hit PS5 and Xbox a fortnight ago: Capcom’s Pragmata.
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<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Devraj shields himself from damage in Saros." src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/saros-damage-shield.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Housemarque/Sony Interactive Entertainment</small>
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<p>Despite a plot centered on an AI uprising, <em>Pragmata</em> feels less tethered to modern industry tropes than <em>Saros</em>. This is partly due to its protracted development cycle and partly because it evokes—I suspect intentionally—the bold, experimental <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom_Five" target="_blank">Capcom Five</a> era of the early 2000s. While it introduces unique mechanics, its core remains a refreshingly uncomplicated experience: lunar bases, malevolent robots, and a protagonist firing a laser.</p>
<p>The science-fiction shooter has been a foundational pillar of the medium throughout its history. One could argue it is the genre that started it all, tracing its lineage back to 1962’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacewar!" target="_blank"><em>Spacewar!</em></a> Yet, these experiences have been surprisingly rare of late, particularly within the single-player landscape. <em>Halo</em>, the definitive sci-fi shooter juggernaut of the early 21st century, is—for the moment, at least—a spent force.</p>
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<div class="responsive-img image-expandable img-article-item" style="padding-bottom:56.25%" data-img-url="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pragmata-gigtantic-bot-boss-7.jpg" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-img-caption='"Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source image: Capcom via Polygon"'>
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<img width="1650" height="928" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="This picture shows the final hacking screen in the Pragmata Gigantic Bot battle." src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pragmata-gigtantic-bot-boss-7.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" class="img-brightness-opt-out">
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<small class="body-img-caption">Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source image: Capcom via Polygon</small>
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<p>Can we draw any meaningful conclusions from the simultaneous arrival of two high-budget, single-player sci-fi shooters? Well, we certainly *could*, but should we? It remains debatable. There is little indication that other publishers are eager to follow suit (though whispers of a <em>Star Fox</em> revival at Nintendo are certainly intriguing). While <em>Pragmata</em> has performed well enough that Capcom has hinted at its potential as a franchise, the long-term verdict on <em>Saros</em> is still out.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, placing these two games side-by-side—both visually striking and mechanically engaging—allows us to appreciate a gaming aesthetic that was once so commonplace it became tiresome, but has now evolved into something uniquely authentic.</p>
<p>While <em>Saros</em> boasts a polished Sony cinematic flair, it simultaneously invokes the chaotic plasma storms of classic 2D bullet-hell shmups. Housemarque is effectively summoning the spirit of the most demanding titles—games like Treasure’s <em>Ikaruga</em>, which remain revered with a mix of respect and trepidation by those truly in the know.</p>
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<p><em>Pragmata</em>, with its narrative of a solitary astronaut protecting an android child, leans into a brand of "dadcore" sentimentality. Yet, its stark futurism, polished aesthetics, mechanical adversaries, and deliberately repetitive checkpoint structure aren't particularly concerned with humanizing narratives or cinematic flow. Instead, they choose to acknowledge and celebrate the rigid, machine-like nature of the medium itself.</p>
<p>It is genuinely thrilling to encounter two ambitious, bold titles that are comfortable being exactly what they are—games that unapologetically channel the most primal, unadulterated spirit of our hobby. Pew, and indeed, pew.</p>Source: Polygon
