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.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the envisioned 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, hindering his ability to elaborate on the specifics. The original Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted impressive visuals but suffered from mixed reviews, primarily criticizing its gameplay limitations.

The development of the first game was fraught with challenges, according to Pessino. Ready at Dawn faced difficulties working with Sony, necessitating significant content cuts to meet deadlines. The game launched prematurely, a consequence of prioritizing other aspects over maintaining the initially promised graphical fidelity. This led to payment issues, as Sony's expectations for graphical milestones weren't always met due to shifting priorities. Although Pessino notes that this is common practice among third-party publishers, it created a strained relationship.

Despite this challenging experience, Ready at Dawn was prepared to endure even less favorable conditions to develop a sequel. Pessino stated they would have accepted a "terrible budget" and limited negotiating power, driven by their desire to redeem the franchise and build upon its strong foundation. The original game ended on a significant cliffhanger, leaving fans yearning for a continuation.

Unfortunately, those hopes are now extinguished, with Ready at Dawn's closure by parent company Meta in 2024. IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, highlighted the game's stylish presentation but criticized its restrictive gameplay. The missed opportunity for a sequel remains a point of discussion among fans.

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