2026’s First PS5 Exclusive Launches to Terrible Reviews

Code Violet is now available on the PlayStation 5, but its early reviews are underwhelming at best and indicative of deep, systemic issues at worst. As such, the first PS5 exclusive of 2026 launches with a whimper.

Code Violet is a dinosaur action horror game positioned as a spiritual successor to Dino Crisis. It was originally targeting a November 14 launch but ended up being delayed to December 12 to avoid releasing on the same day as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, according to developer-publisher TeamKill Media. The Wyoming-based studio later delayed the game by another month, citing the need to work on some last-minute technical issues as the chief reason for the decision.

Code Violet Launches to Underwhelming Reviews

Code Violet has at last launched this Saturday, January 10, priced at $49.99 / €49.99. However, its early reviews are decidedly underwhelming, as underlined by the game’s “Weak” rating on OpenCritic, based on an average score of 44. For reference, as of January 11, Code Violent is ranked in the bottom 3% of all titles scored on OpenCritic. Looking at the actual contents of its early reviews, critics have panned Code Violet for buggy enemy AI, chaotic plot, poor animation quality, and weak gunplay, among other issues. The first PlayStation exclusive of 2026 is thus strongly implied to be a forgettable experience.

Code Violet Early Reviews Overview

• OpenCritic Avg. Score: 44 / 100
  • Labeled as “Weak” rating
  • In the 3rd percentile of all OC ratings
• PlayStation Store Avg. User Score: 2.96 / 5

Technical issues such as glitches, crashes, and various animation bugs are among the most frequently cited complaints in the current crop of Code Violet reviews. The shooting mechanics were described by some as weightless, leading to unsatisfying close-quarters combat and overall awkward-feeling action. In addition to weapons lacking impact, several reviewers have also criticized the enemy AI, citing erratic and unthreatening behavior. Examples included dinosaurs clustering aimlessly, standing still, or running into corners and getting stuck. All of these issues are said to undermine the Dino Crisis-like horror template that Code Violet is looking to emulate.

Reviewers were also critical of Code Violet’s story, citing a lack of focus and inconsistent tone. Push Square highlighted one particularly stark example, noting that the narrative setup clashes with overt attempts to sexualize the main character—who begins the game in her underwear, embarking on a comically long pilgrimage to get her clothes, a premise that the review describes as utterly nonsensical. The criticism is particularly notable given that TeamKill Media has recently said Code Violet will not be ported to PC due to its concerns about potential “vulgar” mods that such a move could spawn.

Code Violet May Have Already Surpassed 100,000 Sales

Early reviews of Code Violet have delivered a near-unanimous indictment of the game’s camera, which has been widely described as poorly suited for navigating confined spaces. This is a significant shortcoming for a game set primarily in narrow corridors. Praise was limited, though some reviewers noted that Code Violet features occasionally compelling lore and visually striking environments. The dinosaur horror game’s user reviews appear slightly better than its critical reception, with the title currently holding a 2.96-star rating on the PlayStation Store, based on nearly 2,000 user submissions. Reading between the lines, such a user review count also suggests that Code Violet may have already surpassed a six-digit sales count.

While the first PS5 exclusive of 2026 may have launched with a whimper, Sony’s current-gen console has plenty more titles on the horizon. The next high-profile PS5 exclusive to hit the market is Saros, a sci-fi action roguelite that is scheduled to arrive on April 30.

Systems

Released

January 10, 2026

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

Number of Players

Single-player

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