Ready at Dawn's co-founder, Andrea Pessino, recently revealed that Sony rejected a proposed 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 pitched a compelling sequel and would have accepted almost any terms to create it for their fans.
The 2015 release of The Order: 1886, a Victorian-era werewolf action game, boasted stunning visuals, yet received mixed reviews. Pessino confirmed the sequel pitch, though remained tight-lipped due to lacking franchise ownership. He emphasized the sequel's potential, highlighting that even a challenging development environment wouldn't have deterred them.
The development of the original game was fraught with tension between Ready at Dawn and Sony. Meeting the high graphical expectations set by early demos proved challenging, leading to payment delays when Ready at Dawn prioritized other aspects of development. While Pessino acknowledged this as standard practice for third-party publishers, it created a strained relationship.
Despite this difficult experience, the team was eager to pursue a sequel, even under unfavorable conditions. Pessino explained their willingness to accept a meager budget and limited creative control, driven solely by the desire to deliver a satisfying experience to players and redeem the franchise. He asserted that the foundation for a successful sequel was already laid.
The original game concluded 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, scoring the game a 6/10, summarized the issue: "Though a stylish adventure, The Order: 1886 emphasizes its cinematic polish at the crippling cost of gameplay freedom." Ten years later, the unfulfilled potential of The Order: 1886 remains a point of discussion among gamers.
