The Order: 1886was launched with grand ambitions back in 2015, and was designed as the first chapter in a trilogy. Ready at Dawn’s original vision extended far beyond the narrow, cinematic experience of the initial game into a more expansive, player-driven world with sequelsThe Order: 1891andThe Order: 1899.However, the game was hamstrung by its critical reception, with an average Metacritic score of 63, which cut off all hopes for any sequels.
The sequel plans, reportedly, were properly backed by ten-page pitches and early concepts that promised a drastically expanded gameplay experience, but unfortunately were never realised. Had Sony greenlitThe Order: 1886sequels, perhaps the game would have seen a course correction, one grounded in lessons learned from the rushed original. The cancellation also left unresolved plot threads hanging, especially with Sir Galahad’s story and the broaderOrderuniverse ripe for further exploration.
What Could The Order: 1886’s Sequels Have Explored?
The Order: 1891would have likely expanded the mythos by exploring the supernatural and political intricacies hinted at in the first game. Early concept discussions suggest bigger, more dynamic combat encounters, likely involving new enemy factions, expanded environments, and a more flexible player toolkit. The sequel might have also introduced rival orders, or even international branches, by bringing in real-world historical tensions and synergizing that withthe Order’s secret war against supernatural threats.
The inclusion of multiplayer and combat improvements is apparently hinted at in Ru Weerasuriya’s pitch as well, as per the studio director’s interview withVGC.The Order: 1899, moving forward, as the conceptual third entry, was then set to project the story into the 20th century, and would’ve likely circled technological and societal upheavals. The Great War backdrop would have also allowed for a dramatic shift in tone and setting here, and the game might have touched base on steampunk weaponry with early 20th-century military hardware.
Gameplay Innovations That Might Have Emerged
Storylines might have explored the dissolution or corruption of the Order, or even a complete reimagining of its role in an industrialized world. This would have opened the door formorally complex storylines inThe Order: 1891and1899, where characters wrestle with tradition versus progress, mirroring real-world historical tensions. Plus, it’s evident that the sequels were poised to drastically rework the gameplay formula, and would’ve likely integrated more systemic design and less reliance on linear corridors.
The gameplay could’ve seen an overhaul because dynamic combat arenas with destructible environments, open-ended mission structures, and deeper weapon and character customization, perhaps, would’ve been ideal to addressThe Order: 1886’s criticismsright away. A context-sensitive cover system, real-time stealth mechanics, and branching dialogue choices might have further enhanced interactivity. The introduction of multiplayer, which was planned out already, would not just have expanded the player base but also diversified combat styles and player expression within the Order’s universe.
The Game Mechanics Would’ve Also Likely Seen Major Changes
Beyond just plot, combat, and multiplayer, sequels would have addressed pacing, content density, and mechanical engagement becauseThe Order: 1886was often derided for its brevity and heavy reliance on QTEs.The Order: 1886sequelscould have transitioned to a hybrid of cinematic storytelling and expansive, player-driven exploration. Side quests, hidden lore, and environmental storytelling, therefore, would’ve perhaps helped improve the player’s connection to the world, while expanded skill trees and weapon crafting systems might’ve also been introduced for playstyle customization.
In terms of scale, the sequels might have shifted from tightly controlled levels to interconnected hubs or semi-open-world zones. This would align with the trends of the mid-to-late 2010s and capitalize on the increased horsepower ofnext-gen PlayStation hardwareas well. Other than that, technical improvements like better AI, seamless transitions between cutscenes and gameplay, and refined gunplay mechanics would’ve given the community a game that might have received better critic response, especially considering that internal reviews tracked “way higher” in comparison to public critic response.
The fact that the same studio, although dissolved now, was later involved in VR projects right after, indicates that had budget constraints and critical reception not cut things short,The Order: 1886’s sequels would have massively evolved the series into a hybrid of cinematic storytelling and systemic, player-driven action.
