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 claims Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even expressing a willingness to accept unfavorable terms to bring it to fruition.

Speaking with MinnMax, Pessino described the planned sequel as "incredible," emphasizing the team's dedication to delivering a satisfying experience for players. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by not owning the franchise rights, preventing him from elaborating extensively on the sequel's details. The original Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted impressive visuals but fell short in gameplay, receiving mixed reviews.

Pessino detailed a challenging relationship with Sony during the development of the first game. The studio faced pressure to maintain the high graphical fidelity showcased in early demos, leading to compromises and a rushed release. Financial constraints arose when Ready at Dawn prioritized aspects other than graphics, resulting in withheld payments. While Pessino noted this is a common practice with third-party publishers, it created friction between the two entities.

Despite this strained relationship, the team was prepared to endure even less favorable conditions for a sequel. Pessino stated they would have accepted a significantly reduced budget and limited negotiating power, solely driven by the desire to rectify the shortcomings of the original and provide fans with closure. He highlighted the strong foundation laid in the first game, believing it held immense potential for expansion.

The original game ended on a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation. Unfortunately, these hopes were ultimately extinguished with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024, ten years after the release of The Order: 1886. 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."