Sony Cancels 'The Order: 1886' Sequel

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 stated that Ready at Dawn proposed a compelling sequel and would have accepted almost any terms to develop it for the fans.

Released in 2015, The Order: 1886, a Victorian-era werewolf action game, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, primarily criticizing its limited gameplay. Pessino confirmed the sequel pitch was submitted to Sony regardless of the initial game's performance, adding that Sony's decision might have been a blessing in disguise, given the strained relationship between the developer and publisher during the first game's production.

The development of the original game was fraught with challenges. Ready at Dawn faced pressure to maintain the high graphical fidelity showcased in early demos and trailers, a standard that proved difficult to consistently meet amidst development hurdles and deadline pressures. This led to the omission of numerous planned features and ultimately, a rushed release. Pessino explained that while withholding payments for failing to meet certain graphical benchmarks is common practice among third-party publishers, it created friction with Sony.

Despite this difficult experience, Ready at Dawn was prepared to endure even less favorable conditions to create a sequel. Pessino emphasized their desire to deliver a satisfying experience to players, even if it meant accepting a significantly reduced budget and limited negotiating power. He expressed confidence in the strong foundation laid for the sequel, believing it had the potential to significantly improve upon the original.

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, hopes for a sequel are now extinguished. IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game as a "stylish adventure" hampered by a lack of gameplay freedom.