In the ever-evolving world of video game development, the fate of sequels and franchises can be unpredictable. One of the most intriguing stories involves The Order: 1886, a visually stunning yet polarizing game released for the PlayStation 4 in 2015. Despite its technical achievements, including its breathtaking visuals and cinematic presentation, the game received mixed reviews, with criticisms often pointing to its linear gameplay and lack of depth. However, new revelations have surfaced from one of the game’s developers Ready at Dawn co-founder Andrea Pessino, has shed some light on an even more surprising twist: Sony allegedly passed on a sequel to The Order: 1886.

The Order: 1886 – A Brief Overview

Developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, The Order: 1886 was a third-person action-adventure game set in an alternate version of Victorian London. Players took on the role of Sir Galahad, a member of a secret society tasked with protecting the city from supernatural threats. The game showcased impressive graphics for its time, with detailed character models and environments, and it utilized a cinematic approach that gave it the feel of a movie.

Despite its striking presentation, The Order: 1886 was criticized for its gameplay, which some felt was too constrained and formulaic. The game offered a heavily scripted experience with little freedom for exploration, and many reviewers felt that the game didn’t live up to its potential. In particular, it was accused of being more of an interactive movie than a fully fleshed-out game.

The Sequel That Never Was

Recently, an interview Andrea Pessino revealed some shocking news: the team had plans for a sequel to The Order: 1886, but Sony ultimately chose not to greenlight it. According to the developer, the sequel was in the early stages of development but was halted after Sony decided not to proceed with the project.

“We really thought that with The Order, we had set up such a unique and appealing baseline that people were going to forgive some of its shortcomings,” Ready at Dawn co-founder Andrea Pessino said in an interview with MinnMax. “It would’ve been an incredible sequel, I can tell you for a fact.”

 “We were desperate, you know, we had to ship,” he said. “We need at least one more year and we didn’t get it.”

In some ways, it’s a tale of what could have been. The Order: 1886 had a unique aesthetic and an intriguing premise, but it ultimately couldn’t overcome its gameplay limitations to become a lasting franchise. Had Sony given the green light to a sequel, perhaps the series would have evolved into something greater. And to be honest it is a game that I actually quite enjoyed. Fans may never know what could have been, but the legacy of the first game remains a memorable part of PlayStation’s history.

A sequel to The Order 1886 isn’t the only one that Sony passed on. They also turned down a resistance sequel and you can read all about it here.