Pragmata: How to get the secret ending

Wondering how to get the secret ending in Pragmata? Okay, so you've run through the entirety of Pragmata - hopefully via our comprehensive in-depth walkthrough - and you're feeling immensely moved by that tearjerker of a finale. But you're not done with Hugh and Diana's journey yet, because there's a secret ending that's only unlockable if you run through the new Unknown Signal mode that appears after completing the campaign once. You also need to finish a few other objectives, some of which are a little tricky to decipher at first.

In this guide, we'll explain exactly what you need to do to unlock the secret ending in Pragmata, giving clear and precise instructions to ensure you know how to go about this task. We'll also drop our thoughts on what this secret ending hints at, just in case you're wondering if it's worth the trouble.

It goes without saying that EXTREME spoilers follow! Don't read ahead unless you've already finished Pragmata once!

In this guide:

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How to get Pragmata's secret ending

To unlock Pragmata's secret ending, you need to complete the following requirements:

We'll proceed to explain each of these steps below.

Finish the campaign once

This one is simple - you need to beat Pragmata the normal way at least once. When you've successfully finished the game, you'll be prompted to create a new save file. Do so, as this is the save that you'll use to start Unknown Signal mode.

Begin the Unknown Signal post-game mode

Begin a new game by selecting Unknown Signal through the main menu and loading your previously finished save. This will load you into the Shelter right before the final fight with Eight, carrying over all of your previous progress. In this save, you can also enter a previously unexplored area of the Cradle known as the Hidden Chamber.

Now that you've beaten Pragmata once the normal way, Big Cabin invites you to the special cool kids club. | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

Here, you'll meet Big Cabin, a bot who explains that you need to complete 10 special Sim Pod missions. Doing so will give you goodies like cool new outfits, but more importantly, you'll get the Black Box Mod, which you need for the secret ending. All Sim Pod missions are locked except the first one, which bears the alpha symbol.

Unlock every Sim Pod, either by getting 100% in each Sector or beating that Sector's new MK II boss

After completing the Sim Pod alpha mission, you'll unlock the Restored Tram Line, letting you travel to all of the Cradle's Sectors with ease right from the Hidden Chamber. You'll need this, as you must obtain 100% completion in each of Pragmata's Sectors and defeat the tough new MK II bosses that await you.

Getting 100% in all Sectors is doable as long as you rely on Diana's Scan ability and the notes in our walkthrough. Be sure to find all of the REMs and unlock each chest you come across!

If you thought the old LunaDigger was bad news, meet its fancy MK II cousin. | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

The new bosses, meanwhile, are much tougher than their old versions, and you'll need to upgrade your gear to take them on. To make things a little easier, Big Cabin will give you a Level 5 Shelter Key, letting you advance your equipment to a degree far greater than was possible in the base game.

Finish all 10 Sim Pod missions

Now, all you've got to do is finish all of the Sim Pod missions. Unlike the Training Simulations you may have previously unlocked and attempted during the main story, there's no time limit for these, so you can approach them at relative leisure.

The Jackhammer's a great weapon, capable of smashing through low-level bots without even bothering to hack them. You'll need to upgrade it to maximise its potential, though. | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

You'll also get some potent new weapons and abilities to help you tackle the challenges, like the awesome, hard-hitting Jackhammer, which totally wrecks any basic bots in your way.

Equip the Black Box Mod

Upon beating all Sim Pod missions, you'll get the Black Box Mod, which should be equipped immediately. This mysterious mod "may suppress the spread of dead filament in organic life" - a hint that Hugh can use it to avoid his untimely fate in the finale.

Beat the final boss Idea again

With the Black Box Mod at your disposal, go back to the Central Port and face the final boss Idea once again. This will be a harder encounter than before, and similar to the MK II bosses you faced to get here. Following this combat, go on to complete the game as normal, facing the last on-rails boss, Abiosis. You'll see new art in the credits showing Hugh and Diana's memories together if you completed everything properly.

What does Pragmata's secret ending mean?

Pragmata's secret ending is a subtle but lovely one. The credits art is a welcome reward, and after the post-credits scene showing Diana on the beach, you'll hear a single line of dialogue from Cabin: "Welcome back! What's this? Travelling alone today?"

While it might not be absolute confirmation that Hugh has survived the dead filament flowing through his veins, the fact that you've got the Black Box equipped means that he likely managed to return to the ruins of the Cradle after defeating Abiosis.

Who will make it off the moon first? Hugh or Megaman Volnutt...last seen in the finale of 2000's Megaman Legends 2? Honestly, my money's on Hugh. | Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Capcom

Things are largely left up to the player's interpretation here, and with the final shot of the game showing Diana looking back at the moon, it's entirely possible that a Pragmata 2 might focus on her and Hugh managing to reunite. A sequel has yet to be confirmed by Capcom, but considering that Pragmata has sold well, especially for the company's first new IP in ages, it's not outside of the realm of possibility.

And now you've got the full details on how to get the secret ending in Pragmata. If you're still missing any bits and bobs, or simply want to run through the Cradle again on New Game + mode, head back to our Pragmata walkthrough hub for all the intel to help you wreck the bots in your path and complete this challenging space adventure.