Code Violet launched on PlayStation 5 in mid-December and immediately caught fire for all the wrong reasons. Several players left comments to warn others not to buy the game, or get a refund as soon as possible if they purchased it.
The game comes from TeamKill Media, a studio behind previous PlayStation exclusives Quantum Error, Son and Bone, and King of Lorn. Code Violet positions itself as a spiritual successor to Capcom’s dormant Dino Crisis franchise, targeting fans who have been waiting years for a modern take on dinosaur horror.
Reviews paint a harsh picture. The game reportedly runs about five hours for a $50 price tag. Multiple reviews describe it as janky, unfinished, and resembling an asset flip rather than a polished console exclusive.
Adding to the confusion, players noticed the PS5 version displays keyboard button prompts like “Press E” during gameplay. This suggests the game was originally developed with PC in mind, despite being marketed as a PlayStation exclusive.
That detail matters because TeamKill Media previously stated they wouldn’t release Code Violet on PC. The reason? They didn’t want players creating “vulgar” or sexual mods of the protagonist.
The irony didn’t escape players. Code Violet itself features revealing outfits for the protagonist and reportedly sells similar costumes as paid DLC. Critics called out the hypocrisy of blocking PC release over mod concerns while directly selling sexualized content.
Getting your money back
PlayStation Store refunds are typically harder to secure than Steam’s automated system. Sony’s policy is more restrictive, especially after downloading or playing a game. However, some players reported successfully getting refunds by contacting PlayStation support shortly after purchase.
Results vary by region and individual circumstances. Australia has stricter consumer protection laws that may make refunds easier. The key seems to be acting quickly and citing the game’s quality issues when making the request.
