Sony Cancels The Order: 1886 Sequel Due to Poor Reviews, Developer Confirms

Sony reportedly declined a sequel to the PlayStation 4 title, The Order: 1886, following its lukewarm reception from critics, according to Andrea Pessino, co-founder of the game's developer, Ready at Dawn. Pessino shared with MinnMax that despite the original game's poor reviews, Ready at Dawn was eager to pitch an "incredible" sequel, emphasizing their dedication to delivering it for the fans. Launched in 2015, The Order: 1886 was an action-packed adventure set in Victorian London with werewolves, celebrated for its stunning visuals but criticized for its gameplay limitations.

Pessino expressed strong confidence in the potential of the sequel, stating, "It would have been an incredible sequel, I can tell you that for a fact." However, he couldn't elaborate further due to not owning the franchise rights. He acknowledged that pitching the sequel to Sony, despite the original's reception, was risky, admitting, "We pitched the sequel to Sony regardless of [the critical reception] and, in a way, it's better that they passed because if we thought we were going to be screwed before, man, with the sequel, we would have signed our life away."

The development of The Order: 1886 was fraught with challenges, as Pessino recounted a strained relationship with Sony. The team was forced to cut numerous elements to meet deadlines, ultimately releasing the game before it was fully ready. Sony's expectations for high graphical fidelity, influenced by the game's initial pitches, led to withheld payments when Ready at Dawn couldn't maintain those standards during development. Pessino noted that such practices, though standard in the industry, contributed to their challenging partnership with Sony.

Despite the difficulties, Ready at Dawn was willing to accept even tougher conditions to create a sequel, driven by a desire to "redeem the franchise." Pessino explained, "We were going to do it just because we wanted to deliver it to the players but we would have been... Terrible budget, budget would be small, we would have been completely at the mercy of any decisions and things because we had no leverage whatsoever." He emphasized the solid groundwork laid in the original game, believing it deserved further development.

The Order: 1886 concluded on a cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for a follow-up. However, with Ready at Dawn's closure by its owner Meta in 2024, hopes for a sequel have been extinguished. IGN's review of the game awarded it a 6/10, noting, "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom."