Ready at Dawn's co-founder reveals Sony rejected a sequel to The Order: 1886 due to the original's lukewarm critical reception. Andrea Pessino shared with MinnMax that despite the challenging development of the first game and a strained relationship with Sony, Ready at Dawn pitched a compelling sequel proposal. They were prepared to accept unfavorable terms, prioritizing delivering the sequel to fans, even if it meant significant compromises.
Pessino described the envisioned sequel as "incredible," highlighting the strong foundation laid in the original game that deserved further development. He explained that the initial high-fidelity graphics showcased in early presentations set unrealistic expectations for consistent build quality throughout development. This led to payment issues when Ready at Dawn had to prioritize other aspects, temporarily compromising graphical standards. While Pessino acknowledged this as a common practice with third-party publishers, it created friction between the studio and Sony.
The original game, released in 2015, was praised for its visuals but criticized for its limited gameplay freedom. The story concluded on a significant cliffhanger, fueling fan demand for a continuation. Despite their willingness to endure less-than-ideal conditions to create a sequel, Sony ultimately declined the pitch. The closure of Ready at Dawn by Meta in 2024 further dashed hopes for a continuation of the franchise.
IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, summarized the game as a "stylish adventure" hampered by its prioritization of cinematic presentation over gameplay freedom. This, combined with the development challenges and strained publisher relationship, likely contributed to Sony's decision to not pursue a sequel.
