'1886' Sequel Nixed by Sony Amid Critical Reception: Dev

Ready at Dawn's co-founder reveals Sony rejected a sequel to their PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, citing the original game's lukewarm critical reception.

Andrea Pessino, in an interview with MinnMax, disclosed that Ready at Dawn proposed a compelling sequel, even expressing willingness to accept unfavorable terms for the chance to deliver it to fans. Despite The Order: 1886's stunning visuals, its 2015 release garnered mixed reviews, primarily criticizing its limited gameplay.

Pessino confirmed the existence of a detailed sequel pitch submitted to Sony, irrespective of the original's reception. He suggested that Sony's rejection might have been a fortunate turn of events, as the studio's precarious position during the first game's development would have been exacerbated by a sequel.

The development of the original game was fraught with challenges, including strained relations with Sony. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, established by early impressive demos, proved difficult due to necessary prioritization of other aspects of development. This led to payment delays, a common practice according to Pessino, but nonetheless created a frustrating dynamic.

Despite this difficult experience, Ready at Dawn was prepared to endure even worse conditions to create a sequel. Pessino stated they were willing to accept a meager budget and limited creative control, driven solely by their desire to rectify the perceived shortcomings of the first game and provide closure to fans. He emphasized the strong foundation laid in the original, believing a sequel could have built upon it successfully.

The abrupt ending of The Order: 1886 left fans yearning for a continuation, a desire now unfulfilled following Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024. IGN's review, scoring the game a 6/10, highlighted its visual strengths but criticized its restrictive gameplay. The hopes for a sequel, ten years later, remain dashed.