Sony Turned Down The Order: 1886 Sequel Due to Critical Reception, Dev Says

Ready at Dawn's co-founder, Andrea Pessino, recently revealed that Sony rejected a proposed sequel to their PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, citing the original game's lukewarm critical reception. Despite this, Pessino maintains that Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, and would have accepted almost any terms to create it for their fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the envisioned sequel as "incredible," though he refrained from specifics due to lacking franchise ownership. He emphasized their willingness to endure unfavorable conditions, stating they would have "signed [their] life away" for the opportunity. The original Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, criticized for its restrictive gameplay despite its impressive graphics.

Pessino detailed a strained relationship with Sony during the development of the first game. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, set by early impressive demos, proved challenging, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. While acknowledging this as standard practice for third-party publishers, Pessino highlighted the resulting friction. Despite this difficult experience, the team was eager to pursue a sequel, even under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Pessino explained that they lacked negotiating power and would have accepted a "terrible budget" and limited creative control simply to give players the sequel they craved. He asserted that the foundation for a superior sequel was already established, with significant potential for expansion.

The original game concluded with a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024, hopes for a sequel are now extinguished. IGN's review, scoring the game a 6/10, summarized the issue: "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom." The missed opportunity leaves a lingering sense of what could have been.

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