Home Gaming The Order: 1886 is selling well and may get a sequel

The Order: 1886 is selling well and may get a sequel

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DasOrder

I was resolutely firm in my critique of Ready at Dawn’s The Order: 1886 – as I just didn’t find it to be very fun to play. It’s a game I’d been so eager for, more so after the Gamescom 2013 presentation, and in the end I felt like I’d been lied to. I really wanted to like The Order. It has all the necessary ingredients for a great game, but they seem to have been mixed up wrong. Still, it’s apparently selling quite well – and that’s a good thing.

The Order: 1886 is sitting atop the UK sales charts, having knocked Evolve from its monster-hunting perch. To be honest, it’s had little competition aside from Total War: Attila, but it’s nice to see a new IP lead the sales charts. Ready at Dawn and Sony took a gamble on a new IP, and I’d like to see more of the world, and setting that they’ve created. I genuinely want a sequel, as I have no doubt that Ready at Dawn could learn from mistakes and give us the game The Order was meant to be. With decent sales, that could just be happening.

Speaking on NeoGAF, habitual industry insider shinobi602 spoke about Ready at Dawn and the possibility of a sequel.

“They’re about 120-130 employees there. Not exactly small, but not huge either. From the conversations I’ve had, they spent a huge amount of time perfecting the engine for this initial instalment. Time constraints came into play, goals slashed, but that’s not really uncommon in development.

“However, what has me most excited is that the main focus in a possible sequel are the gameplay systems. That’s what was stated to me. The engine is in place and they’re free to put all their efforts into gameplay design. And they want to do this, it isn’t a result of any backlash over The Order’s design, they as a team want that. By no means do they think the game’s perfect as it is.”

The game’s still the best looking one I’ve looked at this generation – but that’s one of its problems, I suppose; far too much looking, and very little else. There’s a complete lack of player agency with the game almost actively preventing you from taking in its majesty. But that engine is ready, the framework is in place, and there’s so much potential in the game’s world that if a sequel happens – and I really want one to – it won’t take another 3 years.

I want a sequel, I want some sort of resolution to the story that’s just left hanging. I want some sort of exposition that explains why The Order really exists, what its motivations are, along with the motivations of those within The Order itself. I want to care about its characters – but right now, it’s impossible to.

Next time, they’ll get it right.

Last Updated: February 24, 2015

73 Comments

  1. Hammersteyn

    February 24, 2015 at 09:19

    “Time constraints came into play, goals slashed, but that’s not really uncommon in development.” The goals were so heavily slashed we don’t even get any extra missions as DLC

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      February 24, 2015 at 09:31

      Am surprised no DLC with this – seems deadline was VERY tight. Not complaining either, but am surprised.

      Reply

      • ed

        February 24, 2015 at 23:39

        You’re upset that they didn’t remove parts of the game to sell later as DLC like every game publisher now does? Are you nuts. It’s so rare a game ships that works w/o patches, and hasn’t been stripped of content to later be sold as DLC. You should be praising them.

        Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      February 24, 2015 at 10:08

      Also no on disc DLC. FOR SHAME!!!

      Reply

  2. Loftus

    February 24, 2015 at 09:22

    Personally i think the game is a good intro to the franchise.

    *and so in years to come, the elderly knights told the youngens we actually played the first order*

    Reply

  3. Marius Nell

    February 24, 2015 at 09:24

    great news! they deserve sucsess

    Reply

    • oVg

      February 24, 2015 at 11:06

      Credit where credit is due, its beautifully crafted, quality control is superb. game play is tight, graphics set the bar (excuse the pun), voice acting is next to none, its not afraid of being a single player game, there are no micro transactions or DLC as of yet, no patches, that 30mb was just another way of making one register the game…

      BUT, the 3hours of game play and 3hours of cut scenes in this market does not warrant full retail.

      Reply

      • Marius Nell

        February 24, 2015 at 11:22

        Honestly I am over 8 hours ant currently at chapter 9 yet to finish the game but everything else you say is 100% true. Guess I just like to spend time and explore every nook and cranny. the collectibles give life to the world. Love the fliers of a tale of two cities and an newspaper where a person named Benz created the first motorcar prototype. taking alternate history to the next level

        Reply

        • oVg

          February 24, 2015 at 11:39

          I hope it unlockes the skip-able cut scene option on the second play.

          Reply

      • ed

        February 24, 2015 at 23:42

        I’ve played about 8 hours and just got to Chapter 10. I’m not going slow, or fast. Just taking in the scenery and atmosphere. It’s a much longer game than 5 hours. And honestly, as a seasoned FPS/TPS player, some of the gun battles are not cakewalks.

        Plus, I can’t wait to finish it, pick a Saturday, begin again and play from start to finish.

        Reply

      • sawao_yama

        February 25, 2015 at 21:50

        It was a save patch glitch. That was what the 30mb was, not this register crap.

        Reply

  4. CAE9872

    February 24, 2015 at 09:30

    I need to give this a go sooner rather than later.

    Reply

  5. JustAnotherGamer

    February 24, 2015 at 09:31

    My game of the yer so far

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      February 24, 2015 at 09:38

      What is a “yer” precious?

      That being said, I’m glad you enjoyed it

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        February 24, 2015 at 09:39

        I kinda want to know why it made the game of the year so far list. I mean yeah it’s only Feb. But I have no heard good things from my mates who have dabbled thus far.

        Reply

        • ed

          February 24, 2015 at 23:44

          It’s the best ps4/X1 game released so far this year. It’s a lot of fun, try it. Although I’m sure it will not end up anywhere near the top by years end. Bloodborne will kick the crap out of it in 4 weeks.

          Reply

      • Captain JJ the crafter

        February 24, 2015 at 09:51

        It’s a very short year, though longer than a yar.

        Reply

        • Capt. Bob of the Blood Ravens

          February 24, 2015 at 10:01

          You know it’s been a yar (and greater known Arrr) when the Admiral uses it in all his comments. Brace yourselves, the Yar is coming.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            February 24, 2015 at 10:04

            ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

          • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

            February 24, 2015 at 17:41

            Literally laughing my face off at these comments XD

          • Captain JJ the crafter

            February 24, 2015 at 12:33

            You have incited it now! Nooooooo!
            ;P

          • Capt. Bob of the Blood Ravens

            February 24, 2015 at 12:37

            Admiral and pirates go together. The world just wouldn’t be right if the Admiral didn’t ARRRRRRRR 🙂

          • Captain JJ the crafter

            February 24, 2015 at 12:42

            That is true.

    • veggiesaurus ZA

      February 24, 2015 at 09:46

      I really don’t understand the hate. I really enjoy the gameplay, although it’s very familiar.
      The atmosphere is incredible.

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        February 24, 2015 at 09:52

        It doesn’t sound like hate to me. It just sounds like some reviewers are jaded. Like they’ve just expected a lot more. Expectations can sometimes really put the sting into reality. And we all have very different expectations, or just generally find different things enjoyable. It’s good you enjoy it. But so far via metacritic it seems you are in the minority.

        Can I ask – how much did you follow the game prior to its release?

        Reply

        • veggiesaurus ZA

          February 24, 2015 at 09:56

          I was extremely hyped for it. I read countless previews and so on. I think one of the main criticisms that reviewers had was that it played like an early ps3 game, or even a ps2 game (run a bit, shoot a bit, cutscene, repeat). Perhaps that’s just the sort of TPS I enjoy. Gears of War felt just as linear to me, although the variety in enemies helped.

          Reply

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            February 24, 2015 at 10:16

            Well there you go then. People tell me all the times that the sort of games I often play (my girlfriend calls my strategy titles “Map Games”) are horrible. But I love them. Expectations, perspective, and I guess your own interest. Still – glad you enjoy it!

        • ed

          February 24, 2015 at 23:45

          I’d say so far the reviewers are in the minority. The people playing the game seem to overwhelmingly enjoy it.

          Reply

        • DudeLove

          February 26, 2015 at 06:25

          “But so far via metacritic it seems you are in the minority.”
          What an utter crock of fallacious bullshit. The opinions that matter the most, FROM THE GAMERS, have the majority opinion that the game is great. Look at the user reviews. Plus lets not forget to discredit the many 0, 1, 2, and 3 reviews made by fanboys who’ve yet to play the game.

          Even when you look at the reviewers, there are only 7 red reviews, 28 green, and 37 yellow.
          Too many people think that reviewers opinions are in the majority when there are FAR more gamers out there who feel differently.

          Reply

      • JustAnotherGamer

        February 24, 2015 at 09:59

        i also dont understand the hate.

        Reply

  6. Morne Nell

    February 24, 2015 at 09:33

    “It’s a game I’d been so eager for, more so after the Gamescom 2013 presentation, and in the end I felt like I’d been lied to. ” It reminds me of watchdogs the overhyped is what killed the game

    Reply

    • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

      February 24, 2015 at 09:38

      Hype can go one of two ways. When marketing hypes a game that doesn’t deserve the sort of attention that it is getting, gamers (are we still not allowed to use this term anymore? I’m so confused) get pretty upset. We are not (generally) idiots. But sometimes hype is good and features reliable information etc.

      Reply

    • JustAnotherGamer

      February 24, 2015 at 09:56

      but Order never got the good hype like wacthdogs. It got hate from day one.

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        February 24, 2015 at 10:16

        As much hate as Hatred?

        Reply

        • JustAnotherGamer

          February 24, 2015 at 10:53

          Hatred is going to be boss

          Reply

    • ed

      February 24, 2015 at 23:46

      Lied too? The game is exactly what they said it would be.

      Reply

  7. Matthew Holliday

    February 24, 2015 at 09:34

    “games making money, lets make more of them.”

    that should not be the deciding factor when it comes to making sequels.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 24, 2015 at 09:38

      The game was set up from the start to churn out sequels. The “ending” such as ity was dictates it.

      Reply

      • ed

        February 24, 2015 at 23:49

        You mean like Mass Effect, GoW, Halo, Resistance, and basically every single game made?

        Reply

    • ed

      February 24, 2015 at 23:48

      Uh, sure it is. People like a game. People buy the game. The game makes money. A sequel to the game is made.

      People hate a game. No one buys the game. Jobs are lost & studios closed. Sequels are not made.

      Very simple.

      Reply

  8. Xcalibersa

    February 24, 2015 at 09:36

    Because, as mentioned before, most reviewers have no idea what a good game is anymore. And lets be honest, its not like their jobs are hard.

    Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      February 24, 2015 at 10:46

      Writing a 1,000 word review for general consumption is not as easy as you think.

      Reply

      • JustAnotherGamer

        February 24, 2015 at 10:54

        i culd do it I could write a reveiw.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          February 24, 2015 at 11:50

          Really? Really really?

          *leaves*

          Reply

          • JustAnotherGamer

            February 24, 2015 at 13:13

            Yes i could

      • ed

        February 24, 2015 at 23:49

        I write for a living. It’s easier than you think. Much, much easier.

        Reply

      • Xcalibersa

        February 25, 2015 at 07:09

        As mentioned below. Its not that hard. Most of us here, I assume, have jobs that required fucking hard studying.

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          February 25, 2015 at 07:44

          I’ve done both, I found studying to be easier. But then again. I didn’t study writing.

          Reply

  9. house_hero

    February 24, 2015 at 09:37

    It makes me think of how boring and tedious Assissin’s Creed 1 was… Ubisoft literally fixed everything that was wrong with it when making AC2, and they ended up with one of the best games in the series.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 24, 2015 at 09:40

      Yeah, that was another game I was so goddamned excited for – and ended up being rather disappointed with. A tech demo, masquerading as a game.

      Reply

      • ed

        February 24, 2015 at 23:50

        But it didn’t get hate. It in fact got a lot of 8 & 9 scores.

        Reply

  10. Pieter Kruger

    February 24, 2015 at 09:45

    The Boredom 1886 is selling well and so did Drivedud! ????. These ponies, they’ll buy anything, but then again if there’s nothing else…..????

    Reply

    • ed

      February 24, 2015 at 23:52

      There’s plenty. Your puns are so clever, you really are something to behold. But sorry, both those games are fun, and unique. What are you playing that’s so much better? If you’re on an X1 the answer is nothing. Nothing at all.

      Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        February 25, 2015 at 06:54

        “both those games are fun, and unique” What’s so fun about a short/ boring(The Order) and broken(Driveclub) game? What’s so unique about a 3rd person shooter(The Order) and a racing game(Driveclub)????? ????????????

        Reply

        • sawao_yama

          February 25, 2015 at 22:00

          What’s so fun about forza? Halo? Gears of war? I could be a douche just like yourself. Driveclub has been completely fixed, so clearly you are jealous and only have one system. Poor you, resorting to puns becausw your console of choice is missing good games. I on other could play all three current consoles instead of being an ignorant fanboy.

          Reply

  11. SmurFyZA

    February 24, 2015 at 10:11

    Considering the cliffhanger – I demand a sequel. As for success, I hope they get it. I quite enjoyed the game. I prefer games with lots of cut scenes and interactive fights

    Reply

  12. Captain JJ the crafter

    February 24, 2015 at 10:14

    I haven’t seen a single video about this game. So I don’t even know what it’s about. I’ve just seen a few pics and read one or two articles, but no reviews yet either.

    Probably to my advantage then.

    Reply

  13. oVg

    February 24, 2015 at 10:55

  14. nick

    February 24, 2015 at 10:55

    I really enjoyed this game. Yes very scripted and and and but so amazing to look at. My one regret was getting a digital version, a disk that I could trade in for another game would have been better.

    Reply

  15. oVg

    February 24, 2015 at 10:55

    You mean another chapter of cut scenes 😛

    Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      February 24, 2015 at 11:47

      Yes, but it’s not a Real Game(tm). Not like AAA blockbusters are.

      Reply

    • ed

      February 24, 2015 at 23:53

      Child of Light sucked a mountain of dicks.

      Reply

      • oVg

        February 25, 2015 at 08:51

        bwahahaha

        Reply

  16. Sir Faulty

    February 24, 2015 at 12:17

    I finished this on the weekend. It was an enjoyable experience. There is a lot that one could gripe about (yes it is a bit on the expensive side for the amount of game you are getting out) but as a professional who’s gaming time is rather limited these days I enjoyed the fact that I could sit down and actually finish it rather than have the game drag on for months on end because of time constraints.

    Anyway the story and setting where great and I think Ready at Dawn have a viable universe here to explore here.

    I think Jim Sterling put it perfectly when he said it played like a teaser (in terms of length and content) of what is to come and I am glad it’s selling well.

    Man those graphics though – I mostly game on PC but The Order was the best looking thing I have seen game wise in a long time.

    Reply

  17. Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

    February 24, 2015 at 17:37

    So the sequel will be announced late 2015 or early 2016, for a release date of “fall” 2018, get delayed to holiday 2018, then to spring 2019, then delayed to fall 2019, then they’ll take the holiday 2019 off, then maybe release the all – new – less – cinematic game in march 2020.

    Can’t wait!

    Reply

    • ed

      February 24, 2015 at 23:54

      Or more likely we’ll see it by Xmas 2016. Can’t wait.

      Reply

  18. xnamxoutlawx

    February 24, 2015 at 19:19

    At least they’re honest about the order needing to be improved on, hopefully they get a chance at a sequel because the ending left me craving to know more about the story.

    Reply

  19. Ant

    February 25, 2015 at 06:34

    Well written. I could not agree more with everything you said. I wanted to love this game so much. I think there is so much there to tell also. I thought the characters were great and I didn’t mind the story up until the end. I would love to see the main characters fleshed out and an explanation of how the ly and came to be. Too many cutscenes involving the behind the doors politics of the order and really too many cutscenes interrupting gameplay. Anyhow, would love a sequel done right and made better.

    Reply

  20. thatnorwegianguy

    February 26, 2015 at 20:11

    I hope this gets a sequel the setting needs to explored more, and the design of this world is truly excellent.

    Reply

  21. sampson3121

    February 27, 2015 at 00:29

    “I felt like I’d been lied to” lol God!

    Reply

  22. MrSec84 .

    February 27, 2015 at 06:35

    I haven’t personally played the game yet, but I hear mixed things, the overall premise of Victorian Era Knights of the Round Table fighting supernatural Half-Breed Beasts, using seemingly advanced weapons for the time period that could plausibly have been invented by the right mind is an awesome one for a game.
    Using rebels to change things up in places, maybe adding some other London locals to add extra elements of character development to the game would be a great thing to do (I don’t know if that happens, but good variety would keep players interested).

    There’s nowhere but up for this to go if RAD focuses on the gameplay and capitalizes on making the most enjoyable gameplay that they can.
    The whole conspiracy, different period figures it can of course make for a great story, but the gameplay needs to be a whole lot of fun and work in hand with the story to make for the most rounded experience.

    Being a linear experience doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but maybe RAD could provide the player with more options, make it so you can take different paths to get to the end goal.

    Most people would love it if the game had co-op and multiplayer as well, Ru has said that the studio didn’t want to force a multiplayer into the game and they want to build a foundation for the future, so that they could naturally add those elements in the future.

    If this is handled right, there’s no reason why it can’t go from Uncharted 1 to 2 in quality or maybe even Uncharted 1 to The Last of Us.
    I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get Naughty Dog on board to help flesh out more compelling gameplay sections and take RAD under their wing a bit.

    Santa Monica are awesome, but ND are the TPS guys at Sony Worldwide Studios.

    Reply

  23. Chess Red Eagle

    March 10, 2015 at 06:55

    I think The Order could turn into another Uncharted franchise. Time has made people forget that while the first Uncharted was received very well, it too had a very short campaign, no MP, and no replay value and unlike today’s games, it didn’t even have trophies as an excuse to go back to it. The jump from Uncharted 1 to 2 was massive and I think the same thing will happen. The gameplay was lacking, but I LOVE the world and characters that it created and I definitely want to see more.

    Reply

  24. evilfangs .

    April 19, 2015 at 22:34

    I just completed it and although it’s a bit too short it was a good game, decent story, okay gun play and good universe building for a sequel.

    Need more gameplay, fewer QTEs and more lore / store for the next game.

    Reply

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