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 sequel to their PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, citing the original game's lukewarm critical reception. Despite this, Pessino claims Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even expressing a willingness to accept unfavorable terms to deliver it to fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," stating that the team would have "signed [its] life away" to make it. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, was lauded for its stunning visuals, a hallmark of Ready at Dawn's work, but ultimately received mixed reviews, criticized for its restrictive gameplay despite its cinematic presentation.

Pessino acknowledged the strained relationship with Sony during the original game's development. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, initially set by impressive early demos, proved challenging, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. Although Pessino noted this is common practice for third-party publishers, the experience created friction. Despite this, the team was eager to pursue a sequel, even under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Pessino explained that they were prepared to accept a "terrible budget" and limited creative control due to their lack of leverage. The desire to redeem the franchise and build upon its strong foundation, according to Pessino, outweighed the risks. The original game ended on a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation.

Unfortunately, those hopes were ultimately extinguished. Ready at Dawn itself was shut down by parent company Meta in 2024, dashing any remaining chances for a sequel. IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game's shortcomings: "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom." Ten years later, the unfinished story remains a point of discussion among fans.