Wizardry or Coincidence? Saros & Pragmata Are Casting 'Video-Game-Ass Video Games' Back Into the Spotlight
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Polygon's Oli Welsh posits that new releases *Saros* and *Pragmata* herald a delightful return to 'video-game-ass video games,' embracing core sci-fi shooter action and the pure joy of play over cinematic ambitions. It's a refreshing, almost chaotic, re-focus on what makes games, well, *games*.
Alright, gang, pull up a digital crate and let's have a chinwag, shall we? My mates over at Polygon, bless their pixelated hearts, recently had Oli Welsh pondering something rather intriguing. He’s been peering into the crystal ball of game releases and spotted something that might just be a genuine shift, or, y'know, just a couple of stray magical sparks that landed too close together. But fair dinkum, it's got me thinking, and my wizardly instincts are tingling like a bugged spell effect.
The gist? Oli’s reckoning that ‘video-game-ass video games’ are making a bit of a comeback, mate. And he’s got two prime suspects: Housemarque’s shiny new PlayStation 5 exclusive, *Saros*, and Capcom’s long-gestating *Pragmata*. Both of ‘em are single-player, big-budget sci-fi shooters. And honestly, it’s a refreshing sight, like finding an un-nerfed build after three patches.
*Saros*, bless its laser-blasting heart, takes a page from its predecessor, *Returnal*, with that roguelike-style run structure and spooky horror vibes. Very 2026, indeed. But Oli points out – and I gotta agree – at its core, it's just a bloke running around with a laser gun. Simple, effective, and delightfully old-school. Housemarque even apparently dialled back the difficulty from *Returnal* because, let's be honest, who actually *finished* that game without selling their soul to a speedrunner demon? (Just kidding, mostly).
Then there's *Pragmata*. Capcom, you cheeky devils. This one feels like it's been brewing in a cauldron since the dawn of time, and you can feel that glorious, unhurried development in its bones. It harkens back to that legendary ‘Capcom Five’ era – remember when they just *went for it*? Despite its AI takeover plot, *Pragmata*’s just straightforward evil-robots-on-the-moon, laser-gun-toting goodness. No frills, no fuss, just pure gaming delight. Like a perfectly executed trick shot, it just lands.
Now, the sci-fi shooter, especially in its single-player glory, is basically the OG of gaming genres. We’re talking *Spacewar!* back in ‘62, mate! But lately? Scarce as dragon’s teeth. Our old pal *Halo*, once the undisputed juggernaut, has been... well, let's just say it's been taking a very long nap. So, when two big ones like *Saros* and *Pragmata* rock up almost simultaneously, it's hard not to wonder if the cosmic dice have rolled something new.
Is it a bonafide trend? Are we about to see a whole host of publishers jump on the ‘pew pew’ bandwagon? Oli’s got a healthy dose of skepticism (good lad), and I'm right there with him. My digital tea leaves are a bit murky on that front, though whispers of a *Starfox* revival do make my eyebrows do a little dance. But even if it's not a full-blown revolution, it's an absolute treat to see these games unapologetically embrace their inner 'video game.' They're not trying to be interactive movies or philosophical treatises. They're just here to let you run, shoot, and maybe blow some stuff up.
*Saros*, with its flashy Sony cinematic sheen, still channels those hardcore bullet-hell shmups, the kind spoken of in hushed, reverent tones by the truly initiated. And *Pragmata*, despite a smidge of that ‘dadcore’ vibe, revels in its mechanical enemies and intentionally repetitive save points, celebrating the glorious, almost brutal, machine-like nature of our beloved medium. It's thrilling, honestly. To see big, bold titles not afraid to just *be games*. To channel that raw, undiluted spirit of the form. So, a massive shout-out to Oli Welsh and Polygon for sparking this delightful pondering. Pew and, indeed, bloody pew!
*(Original analysis by Oli Welsh for Polygon. You can find the full piece at polygon.com)*
Tags: Sci-Fi Shooters, Gaming Trends, Single-Player Games, Action Games, Game Design
Original article: Polygon