In the latest edition of the GameCentral Games Inbox, readers have turned their attention to the enduring question of the PlayStation 5 Pro's value, while also reflecting on the surprisingly short-lived dominance of once-mighty franchises and the perplexing existence of a critically panned new release.
The PS5 Pro Conundrum: Worth the Upgrade?
A reader going by the name No regerts opened the debate, explaining a personal console dilemma. Having held off on purchasing a Switch 2 last year, they now find themselves with savings earmarked for a new machine. While the standard PlayStation 5 is a clear option, the spectre of the more powerful PS5 Pro gives them pause.
The core of their uncertainty lies in the Pro model's value proposition. They feel its benefits, while broadly acknowledged as an improvement across the board, lack a defining, must-have feature. The promise of a standard 60 frames-per-second experience is appealing, but they are keen to hear from other gamers who have taken the plunge, especially those who have no regrets about their purchase.
The Fleeting Reign of Gaming Titans
The conversation then shifted to the changing landscape of blockbuster franchises. A reader named Goldie agreed with a prior assertion that Forza Horizon has become Xbox's flagship series, a fact that highlights the diminished status of former pillars Halo and Gears of War.
Coaster expanded on this, musing on the surprisingly brief period these series spent at the industry's summit. They pinpoint Halo's true heyday as the roughly eight-year span between the releases of the first and third games, with momentum waning thereafter. The departure of original developer Bungie and the release of Halo 4 marked a definitive turning point. This stands in stark contrast to franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Resident Evil, which are celebrating major anniversaries, suggesting a longevity that Halo and Gears now seem unlikely to recapture.
Code Violet: A Catastrophic Exclusive?
A significant portion of the inbox was dominated by reaction to Code Violet, a new PlayStation 5 exclusive that was published on January 15, 2026. GameCentral's review awarded the title a devastating 1/10 score, placing it among the worst-rated games in history.
Reader Focus expressed bafflement at who would buy such an apparently flawed game at near-full price without consulting reviews. Shahzaib Sadiq was stunned by the severity of the score, questioning why Sony would back such a project. In response, GameCentral clarified a crucial point: Code Violet has nothing to do with Sony and its PlayStation 5 exclusivity is solely the developer's choice.
Other topics bubbling in the inbox included scepticism about Sega's stalled classic franchise revival plans, observations on Meta's retreat from VR gaming, and a discussion about Link's communicative methods in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Readers also continued to ponder the future of ageing online shooter series like Battlefield and Call of Duty.
To join future discussions, readers can email their thoughts to gamecentral@metro.co.uk.
