Katarzyna Petru
It seems that the first exclusive title on PlayStation 5 in 2026 completely disappointed critics. We are 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 set to be particularly intense for PlayStation. There are plans to launch titles such as Saros, Marvel’s Wolverine, Phantom Blade Zero, and Marathon. All the more, the weak start of the first exclusive of the year stands out.
Code Violet – an ambitious idea, poor execution
If the name Code Violet means nothing to you, it's no surprise. Since its announcement, the game has remained largely in the shadow of larger productions.
The action of the title takes place in the 25th century, after a global cataclysm that rendered Earth uninhabitable. The player assumes 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 leave no stone unturned in their critique of the game
On Metacritic, Code Violet currently has a score of just 40/100, which indicates a "generally unfavourable" reception from critics.
IGN straightforwardly describes the game as "bad," pointing out its formulaic science fiction plot, blurry textures, and numerous technical errors that can block further gameplay.
Push Square dubs Code Violet a "chaos," highlighting the clunky combat, tedious exploration, and serious technical issues.
Game8 summarises briefly: "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, in which 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The creators added that it was the fans who brought the studio to the top and are enjoying the “outdated, old-school gameplay,” and Code Violet is set to be their biggest success to date – even though there was still one day left until the full release.
The problem is that players are not impressed either
The narrative of "satisfied fans" does not entirely align with reality. On PlayStation Store, the game currently has a average rating of 3/5, and as much 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 the PS5; however, everything points to the title going down in history as one of the lowest-rated exclusives from Sony in recent years. One can only hope that the upcoming releases planned for 2026 will fare significantly better with both critics and players.
