Sony Rejects 'The Order: 1886' Sequel After Poor Reviews

Ready at Dawn's co-founder reveals Sony rejected a sequel to The Order: 1886 due to the original game's lukewarm critical reception.

Andrea Pessino, in an interview with MinnMax, disclosed that Ready at Dawn proposed a compelling sequel, expressing their willingness to endure unfavorable terms just to deliver it to fans. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted impressive visuals but received mixed reviews, primarily criticizing its limited gameplay.

Pessino confirmed the existence of a planned sequel, stating it would have been exceptional, though he refrained from detailing specifics due to lacking franchise ownership. He highlighted the challenging relationship with Sony during the original game's development, necessitating significant content cuts to meet deadlines. The game launched prematurely, according to Pessino.

The initial high-fidelity visuals set unrealistic expectations for subsequent development milestones, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects, temporarily compromising graphical standards. While Pessino acknowledged this as a common practice among third-party publishers, it created tension with Sony.

Despite this strained relationship, Ready at Dawn was prepared to accept less favorable conditions for a sequel, prioritizing fan satisfaction. Pessino described a potential scenario involving a meager budget and limited negotiation power, emphasizing their desire to rectify the franchise's shortcomings. He stressed the solid foundation of the original game, believing a sequel could have successfully built upon it.

The Order: 1886 concluded on a cliffhanger, leaving fans yearning for a continuation. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by Meta in 2024, those hopes remain unfulfilled. IGN's review (6/10) summarized the game as a visually stunning but gameplay-restricted experience.