Katarzyna Petru
It seems that the first exclusive title on PlayStation 5 in 2026 has completely disappointed critics. We're talking about the game Code Violet, which has just debuted and immediately came under fire from reviewers. This is bad news for Sony, as 2026 is shaping up to be exceptionally intense for PlayStation. There are plans for the releases of titles like Saros, Marvel’s Wolverine, Phantom Blade Zero, and Marathon. This makes the weak start of the first exclusive of the year all the more glaring.
Code Violet – an ambitious idea, poor execution
If the name Code Violet doesn't ring a bell, it’s hard to blame you. The game has remained in the shadow of larger productions since its announcement.
The title is set in the 25th century, after a global catastrophe that has rendered Earth uninhabitable. The player takes on the role of Violet Sinclair, a time traveller who awakens in the Aion Bioengineering complex, overrun by prehistoric dinosaurs and hostile forces. On paper, it sounds like a spiritual successor to Dino Crisis, however – according to reviewers – the similarities end very quickly.
Critics are tearing the game apart
On Metacritic, Code Violet currently sits at a mere 40/100, indicating “generally unfavorable” reviews from critics.
IGN outright calls the game “bad”, pointing out its clichéd sci-fi storyline, blurry textures, and numerous technical glitches that can block further gameplay.
Push Square describes Code Violet as a “mess”, citing clunky combat, tedious exploration, and serious technical issues.
Game8 summarises it succinctly: “definitely not worth its price.”
Creators Strike Back at Critics
In response to a wave of negative reviews, the studio TeamKill Media published a statement on X, where they openly attacked the reviewers:
“We create games for our fans and players who actually spend their hard-earned money on our productions, not for critics.”
The creators added that it was the fans who elevated the studio to the top and are having a great time with the “outdated, old-school gameplay,” and Code Violet is set to be their biggest success to date – despite there being one more day until the full release.
The problem is that players are not thrilled either
The narrative of "happy fans" doesn't completely align with reality. On PlayStation Store, the game currently has a average rating of 3/5, and as many as 46% of reviews are 1- and 2-star ratings. This suggests that not only critics but also the players themselves have serious reservations about the quality of the game.
Code Violet was meant to be a strong start to the year for PS5, yet everything indicates that the title will go down in history as one of the lowest-rated exclusives from Sony in recent years. We can only hope that the upcoming releases planned for 2026 will fare much better both with critics and among players.
