For gamers, few things are as bittersweet as a cult classic. A game that, despite its flaws, captures the imagination and leaves players desperately wanting more. For nearly a decade, PlayStation fans have held onto a flicker of hope for a sequel to 2015's The Order: 1886—a title renowned for its breathtaking visuals and compelling alt-history world.
But as it turns out, that hope was built on a ghost. In a stunning revelation, the original creators have confirmed that not only was a sequel in the works, but an entire trilogy was meticulously planned before PlayStation silently pulled the plug.
A Legacy Forged in Steam and Steel
Upon its release on the PS4, The Order: 1886 was a visual showcase. Its cinematic presentation, gritty Victorian London setting, and unique blend of history and myth left a powerful impression. Players stepped into the boots of Sir Galahad, a knight in an ancient order battling half-breed monsters. While criticized for its linearity and short length, the game's potential was undeniable.
Fans immediately began clamoring for a sequel to explore the world further. And for years, it seemed like their wishes might be granted. But the truth, as recently uncovered, is far more tragic—and ambitious.
The Grand Vision: The Order: 1891 and The Order: 1899
The full, disappointing picture was painted by none other than Ru Weerasuriya, the creative director at developer Ready at Dawn. In a candid and revealing interview with French journalist Julien Chièze, Weerasuriya laid out the studio's grand plan.
According to Weerasuriya, the studio wasn't just thinking about a simple sequel. They had architected a full trilogy. The immediate follow-ups were already titled The Order: 1891 and The Order: 1899, with a script spanning dozens of pages already written.
The vision was expansive. The sequels were planned to:
- Introduce Multiplayer: Moving beyond a purely solo experience, the games would incorporate a multiplayer mode to deepen engagement and replayability.
- Expand the Narrative: The story was designed to leap into the 20th century, allowing players to see the consequences of the Order's actions unfold over a longer timeline.
- Deepen Character Arcs: The core cast, including Galahad and Isi, were set for more complex development and backstory.
This was a universe ready to be unpacked, a saga waiting to be told. So, what went wrong?
The Silent Axe: Why PlayStation Canceled the Dreams
The answer, while business-minded, is a tough pill for fans to swallow. Andrea Pessino, co-founder of Ready at Dawn, confirmed the cancellation was a decision made squarely by PlayStation.
The reason? The "mixed" critical reception of the first game.
Despite a strong commercial start, The Order: 1886 was met with divisive reviews from publications. For PlayStation, the financial risk of doubling down on a franchise that didn't achieve universal critical acclaim was too great. They simply did not believe in the long-term viability of the IP, leading them to secretly cancel all future plans, leaving Ready at Dawn's trilogy as a "what could have been" piece of gaming history.
A Bittersweet Legacy on PS5
For those still curious about the game that started it all, The Order: 1886 is playable on the PS5 via backward compatibility. Revisiting it today is an experience fraught with duality.
You'll likely still be captivated by its unparalleled artistic direction and atmospheric world-building—a testament to the potential Ready at Dawn saw. But now, knowing the expansive sequels that died in secret, you may also feel a profound sense of frustration for the untapped potential and the epic story we were never meant to see.
The hope for a return to the world of The Order is now truly extinguished, a quiet casualty in the high-stakes world of game development.
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