Why I bought Code Violet, the supposed worst game of the year – Reader’s Feature

Code Violet has already been called the worst game of the year but it has been successful and one reader is willing to explain why he decided to buy it.

We’re only a couple of weeks into 2026 and already we’ve got what has been called the worst game of the year. Code Violet has become a real talking point in the last few days, especially after it became the most pre-ordered game on PlayStation Plus, which proves that many people don’t think it’s the worst of anything. I don’t, because I’m one of those people that bought it (although I didn’t pre-order it).

I read GC’s review of the game and it lined up with the others I’ve read. I don’t argue with the basic facts of it, although I do think the amount of bugs are exaggerated. Ther are a lot, but most are pretty easy to ignore, once you realise that the game was basically made by around four people.

To me, that’s incredible for something that looks this good. And while there are some graphical glitches and issues, it’s an amazing game a lot of the time. I was shocked by some of the stuff in it, and the quality of the graphics, which were well beyond anything most indie games could manage.

So why did I buy it? Well, firstly, and despite GC’s joke against the game’s lack of popularity, I am a fan of Dino Crisis and dinosaurs in general. So when I saw a game that was a spiritual sequel, and looked like the Resident Evil remakes, I was immediately interested. As a big fan of the Jurassic World movies I was hoping for something similar, just like Dino Crisis was inspired by Jurassic Park.

I’d say the game delivers too. Sure, there’s a lot of jank to the combat but it works and I really like the different settings and all the different dinosaurs, which I think are quite a lot really, considering the budget they had to work with.

I’d also point out that they had a patch out on the first day and they’re not trying to be con artists, they’ve kept in touch with fans and are trying to sort out the issues. Compared to something like Monster Hunter Wilds, I have plenty of confidence that Code Violet will be fixed pretty quickly.

I’ve left the New Game+ until it’s had a few patches, but there’s actually a ton of replayability, with extra weapons and costumes to unlock and at least as much to see and do as a Resident Evil game. I’ll also say that, according to How Long To Beat, the original Dino Crisis was only not even seven hours long and Code Violet is more than that.

Yes, it is quite expensive, but not as much as triple-A games and I am actually happy to support people who are going to make the kind of game I want to play. Everyone’s hoping that Capcom will make enough money to maybe one day get around to making a new Dino Crisis but why wait when other people can get there faster?

Indie developers have become a lot more dominant over the last couple of years and I believe in putting my money where my mouth is and supporting them, as it’s far more likely they’ll make the games I, and I believe many other people, want.

Code Violet isn’t the best game I’ve ever played, to say the least, but I have enjoyed it and I’m interested to see how it evolves. I’m not alone either, as the pre-order success shows. No game is perfect and they don’t have to be for you to enjoy them. They just have to be the kind of experience you want and if it’s one that no one else is offering then most people are willing to put up with some negative issues.

I’m sure Code Violet won’t end up being the best game of the year, but I really doubt it’ll be the worst. It’s definitely not the worst game I’ve played or bought, and I think some people are just a little too keen to criticise something for the crime of not being perfect.

By reader Forrester

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