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 create it for the fans.

Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," though he remained tight-lipped on specifics due to lacking franchise rights. He emphasized that the pitch was submitted regardless of the initial game's reception, suggesting that the rejection was ultimately a fortunate turn of events. He stated that the development of the sequel would have involved significantly compromised conditions, including a drastically reduced budget and limited negotiating power.

The development of the original The Order: 1886, released in 2015, was fraught with challenges. Pessino detailed a strained relationship with Sony, stemming from the need to cut content to meet deadlines. The game, while visually stunning, received mixed reviews, criticized for its limited gameplay freedom despite its cinematic presentation. Sony's expectations, based on the game's initial high-fidelity visuals, led to payment issues when Ready at Dawn had to prioritize other aspects of development, temporarily compromising graphical standards. While Pessino acknowledged this as common practice within the industry, it created friction between the developer and publisher.

Despite these past difficulties, Ready at Dawn was prepared to endure even harsher conditions to develop a sequel, driven by a desire to deliver a satisfying experience to fans and redeem the franchise. Pessino highlighted the strong foundation laid in the first game, emphasizing the potential for expansion. The original game ended on a significant cliffhanger, leaving fans yearning for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by Meta in 2024, any hopes for a sequel have been extinguished.

IGN's review of The Order: 1886 scored the game a 6/10, summarizing it as a "stylish adventure" hampered by its prioritization of cinematic presentation over gameplay freedom.