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 underwhelming critical reception. Despite this, Pessino claims Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel, even expressing a willingness to accept unfavorable terms to develop it.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," stating they would have "signed [their] life away" to create it for the fans. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews due to its gameplay limitations. The game's impressive graphics, showcased in early presentations, set high expectations for Sony, leading to strained relations with Ready at Dawn during development.

Pessino explained that meeting Sony's graphical benchmarks proved challenging, resulting in withheld payments when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. While acknowledging this as a common practice among third-party publishers, the experience created friction. Despite this difficult relationship, the team was eager to pursue a sequel, even under less-than-ideal conditions.

Pessino elaborated on their willingness to accept a "terrible budget" and limited creative control, explaining their desire to redeem the franchise and build upon the strong foundation laid by the original game. The Order: 1886 concluded on a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024, those hopes are now extinguished.

IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game as a "stylish adventure" hampered by restrictive gameplay mechanics, prioritizing cinematic presentation over player agency. The rejection of the sequel leaves a significant narrative unresolved and a missed opportunity for fans.