Sony Denies Sequel for 'The Order: 1886' Amid Low Reviews

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 and would have accepted almost any terms to create it for their fans.

The 2015 action game, set in a Victorian London teeming with werewolves, boasted stunning visuals but received mixed reviews, primarily criticizing its gameplay limitations. Pessino confirmed the sequel pitch, stating it would have been "incredible," although he couldn't elaborate due to lacking franchise ownership. He emphasized their willingness to endure unfavorable conditions, stating they would have "signed [their] life away" for the opportunity.

Their relationship with Sony during the original game's development was reportedly strained. Meeting Sony's high graphical expectations, initially set by impressive early demos, proved challenging. Financial difficulties arose when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development, temporarily compromising visual fidelity. While Pessino acknowledged this as a common practice among third-party publishers, it created friction.

Despite this challenging experience, the desire to deliver a sequel and redeem the franchise overshadowed concerns about contract terms. Pessino described a scenario where they would have accepted a significantly reduced budget and limited negotiating power, prioritizing player satisfaction above all else. He highlighted the strong foundation of the original game, believing a sequel could have built upon its strengths.

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, those hopes are now extinguished. IGN's review of The Order: 1886, scoring it a 6/10, echoed this sentiment, praising its visual style but criticizing its restrictive gameplay.