Sony Rejects 1886 Sequel Due to Critical Backlash

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 deliver it to fans.

In an interview with MinnMax, Pessino described the proposed sequel as "incredible," stating they would have "signed [their] life away" to make it. The Order: 1886, released in 2015, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, criticized for its limited gameplay despite its impressive graphics.

Pessino elaborated on the strained relationship with Sony during the original game's development. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, set by early demos, proved challenging, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. Although Pessino acknowledges this as common practice for third-party publishers, it created friction. Despite this difficult experience, the team was eager to pursue a sequel, even under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Pessino explained that they were prepared to accept a "terrible budget" and limited creative control due to their lack of leverage. Their primary motivation was to give fans the closure they craved, building upon the strong foundation of the first game, which ended on a significant cliffhanger. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by Meta in 2024, those hopes are now extinguished.

IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game's shortcomings: "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom." Ten years later, the desire for a sequel remains unfulfilled.