Unlock the Secrets Behind Blue Crystal Barriers in Pragmata

Almost immediately after entering Sector 1's Solar Power Plants in Pragmata, you'll stumble across a doorway blocked with blue crystal barriers. You can peek into the room, but you can't get past these formidable obstacles until you progress further. These blue crystal barriers, technically known as "filament masses," require specific story progression to shatter. Once you reach Sector 2: Mass Production Array, you'll find even more of these crystals blocking your path, along with red variants that demand a completely different approach.

To overcome these initial hurdles and access hidden rewards, you must unlock the Lim Eraser power. This ability is essential for breaking through blue crystal barriers that would otherwise remain impassable throughout your journey in Pragmata.

Mastering the Lim Eraser to Shatter Filament Masses

The blue crystal barriers are actually called "filament masses," and you'll need to progress through the story a short bit until you unlock the ability to break them. More specifically, you need the Lim Eraser power unlocked at the bottom of the Lim Recycling Facility near the end of Sector 2: Mass Production Array.

To reach this pivotal moment, follow these steps after completing Sector 1 and defeating the Sector Guard boss:

  • Enter Sector 2: Mass Production Array, which resembles New York City.
  • Reach the main hub area and lower the door to access the Comms Tower.
  • Continue with the main objective until you've hacked four of the five beacons.

Once you've hacked the penultimate beacon on the rooftop in the Business District, proceed through the building, past the Escape Hatch, and up the ladder. Drop off the ledge ahead of you, climb the boxes on your right to a bridge (distinct from the earlier one), and enter the lab known as the Lim Recycling Facility. Activate the recycler using the computer to clear a path deeper into the building, then defeat the combat encounter past the Decoy Generator weapon pick-up.

Continue through the facility until you reach the Read Earth Memory, dodge the lasers, drop down to the lower levels, and enter the lab at the end of the ramp. Interacting with the terminal there, Diana will pick up the data chip containing the Lim Eraser power and bite it—her unique method of absorbing data. After that, you'll unlock the power, which you must use to break the rocks outside the lab before returning to the streets.

Returning to Break Blue Barriers for Hidden Rewards

Given that you unlock the Lim Eraser in the second zone, you will have been forced to walk past a few crystals in the first area. It is highly recommended that you return to Sector 1 to collect the rewards you missed behind those blue crystal barriers:

  • Solar Power Plants: Down the corridor to your right from the Generator Entrance where you first enter the zone, you will find a barrier hiding the Storage Expander, which increases Diana's hacking gauge.
  • Power Distribution Center: Return here, go through the laser corridor, and take the lift up on your left. Jump over the balcony on your left to reach a lower platform where another crystal barricade hides a combat arena. Clearing this arena reveals two chests containing Pure Lunum and Lunafilament.

As mentioned, there are a lot more of these obstacles in Sector 2, near where you get the power, such as the shops on the main street and various areas (including shortcuts) back in the Business District. Breaking through these barriers is crucial for gathering essential resources like Lunum to enhance your gameplay experience.

Confronting Red Crystal Barriers with the Cleanse Ability

In Sector 3: Terra Dome, and even more so in Sector 4: Lunum Mines, you'll start encountering red crystal walls. Though they look exactly like the blue ones but red, these are called "dead filament," and it's a completely different process to get past them.

To shatter these red barriers, avoid spoilers by knowing that you unlock the Cleanse ability in Sector 5: Experimental Pragmatics, which is a very short chapter you're forced into after beating the Luna Digger at the end of the Lunum Mines level. By holding E (or left bumper on controller), you can charge a blast that will shatter these red crystals. It's also a somewhat useful tool in combat because it can be used to cleanse corrupted enemies, making it vital for survival in later stages.

Essential Locations for Red Crystal Barriers

As was the case with the Lim Eraser, you'll have been forced to ignore a number of red crystal barriers before eventually unlocking the Cleanse ability. Here are key locations where you should return:

  • Mass Production Array: Guarding two Safe Boxes near the Red Zone in the lower area on your right after opening the Escape Hatch leading from the Side Alley to the Business District.
  • Terra Dome: Just off the ledge to your left after collecting the second Gen Chip in the main Eco Modeling Lab atrium.
  • Lunum Mines: Under the Logistics Management Escape Hatch in the Main Excavation Site.

Mastering these abilities and revisiting these locations will ensure you don't miss out on valuable items and upgrades hidden behind both blue and red crystal barriers throughout your Pragmata journey.