Lunar Loot and Laser Traps: A Wizard’s Guide to Pragmata’s Solar Power Plant Upgrades
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff dives into the first major area of Pragmata to track down 11 crucial upgrade components, offering a blend of practical navigation and witty commentary on Capcom's lunar design.
I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. You know that feeling when you finally get your hands on a game that’s been shrouded in mystery for years, and it turns out the first thing you have to do is scavenge for spare parts? That’s Pragmata for you. Capcom’s lunar oddity is finally letting us under the hood, and if we want Hugh and Diana to stand a ghost of a chance against whatever the hell is going on in the 'Cradle,' we’ve got to start hunting for upgrade components.
Now, I reckon we’re all a bit used to the 'collect-a-thon' trope by now, but in Pragmata, these aren't just shiny baubles to make your trophy shelf look pretty. They’re the digital lifeblood for your weapon, hacking ability, and armor. I’ve been digging through the Solar Power Plant—the first major area you can actually poke around in—and while it’s not exactly a labyrinth, some of these components are tucked away like a wizard’s secret stash of high-grade mana.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about the vibe. The Solar Power Plant is your introduction to the game’s verticality and its penchant for making you work for your progress. It’s got that classic Capcom polish, but with a layer of 'why is this here?' that I find genuinely charming. So, let’s get into where these 11 pesky components are hiding, shall we?
### The Early Scavenge: General Entrance
Right out of the gate at the **Power Plant Platform**, things seem simple enough. You’ll find the first component in the very first room. Take the large door on the right, and once it lifts, you’ll see the prize. It’s a bit of a zig-zag—right, left, then left again—to actually reach the room, but it’s a gentle introduction. It’s almost like the game is saying, 'See? I can be nice,' before it starts throwing lasers and platforming puzzles at your face.
### The Meat of the Mission: Sealed Sector Gate
This is where the 'optimistically chaotic' design really kicks in. The Sealed Sector Gate is home to the bulk of your upgrades, and you’re going to be spending a lot of time in elevators.
For **Component #02**, exit the room with the escape hatch and head left. You’ll hit a corridor that looks like a neon nightmare—lots of lasers and a locked door. The component is just sitting there on the left side, mocking the security system.
**Components #03 and #04** involve a bit of a leap of faith. After you’ve bashed a few bots and dealt with the second lock, hop in the elevator. For the third one, stick to the right wall and look over the edge; it’s on a lower platform. For the fourth, look across to the opposite structure from the elevator exit. You’ll need to use your thrusters to reach the laser-generating structure below. It’s a bit of a 'don't look down' moment, but your thrusters are your best mate here.
**Components #05, #06, and #07** are all about that verticality. You’ll be climbing orange pipes and following trails of lumen (which, let’s be honest, sounds like something I’d use to brew a potion). Component #05 is near some yellow pipes after a climb. For #06, jump down to the left of the higher platform, clear out the enemies—standard wizard work—and find it near the exit door.
Now, **Component #07** is the one that triggered my gentle skepticism. It’s sitting high up on a platform, and you actually have to hack a terminal on the opposite wall to raise the floor in front of it. It’s a classic 'why did they build it this way?' moment. Is it a security feature? Or just an architect having a laugh? Either way, hack the terminal, raise the platform, and grab your loot.
Wrapping up this sector, **Component #08** is your reward for persistence. Once you’ve unlocked all five locks in the main corridor, go back to that main gate. It’ll finally open, revealing the component on the left. It’s a bit of a slog, but those upgrades to your armor are going to feel bloody brilliant when the bullets start flying.
### A Quick Detour: The Concourse
Moving on to the **Main Control Lobby**, things get a bit more straightforward. **Component #09** is just through the door on the left of the station. **Component #10** requires another elevator trip before you hit the big circular room with the pillar. Look to your left for an opening, and there it is. It’s almost too easy, which usually makes me wonder if I’ve stepped into a trap. (I hadn't, but the habit remains.)
### The Final Piece: The Metroidvania Twist
Lastly, we have **Component #11**, and this is where the game asks for a bit of backtracking. You can’t get this one until you’ve progressed into the Mass Production Array and learned how to clear those pesky lumen clusters.
Once you’ve got that 'magic' touch, head back to the Sealed Sector Gate. Take the lower-level elevator, jump the handrail (safety third, mates), and you’ll find a corridor blocked by those glowing clusters. Clear the path, defeat the room’s guardians, and use your thrusters to reach a hanging container in the center. From there, it’s a graceful glide to the final component of the sector.
### Why Does This Matter?
I reckon some might find this level of scavenging a bit tedious, but there’s something authentically enthusiastic about the way Pragmata handles its world-building through these upgrades. It forces you to look at the architecture, to master the movement mechanics, and to engage with the 'wizardry' of the hacking system.
Does every game need eleven hidden bits of scrap in its first level? Probably not. But in a world as stark and strange as the one Capcom has built here, these components feel like more than just stats. They feel like a survival kit. It’s a bit of a 'find the human story behind the corporate announcement' moment—behind the shiny 4K textures and the marketing speak about 'next-gen immersion,' there’s a tight, mechanically-driven game about a man, a girl, and their quest to not get crushed by a giant robot.
So, gear up, keep your thrusters primed, and don't let the lasers singe your eyebrows off. We’ve got a moon to explore.
Tags: Pragmata, Capcom, Gaming Guides, Sci-Fi Games, PlayStation 5
Original article: Polygon