This Upcoming Third-Person Shooter Is Resurrecting an Underrated PlayStation Classic

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PlayStation has released so many games that simply weren’t memorable, they’ve become a collection of forgotten franchises. It’s disappointing, but not surprising, given how many new games PlayStation used to release. While they now mostly stick to well-known series, they once experimented with lots of creative and original ideas – many of which were good enough to deserve continuations, but sadly never got them.

Luckily, independent game developers are stepping in to fill the void, creating games inspired by classic PlayStation titles that didn’t get the recognition they deserved. We’ve seen games try to recreate the feel of titles like Jak, Ratchet & Clank, and other forgotten favorites. Now, we finally have a game that captures the spirit of the PS4’s surprisingly good, but often overlooked, The Order: 1886. It’s called Artificial Detective, and it’s a third-person shooter.

Artificial Detective Is Set To Be A Cinematic Marvel

VIVIX INC.’s Artificial Detective appears to be a visually impressive, story-driven third-person shooter, which is great news. PlayStation has been the leader in this type of game for a while, particularly after Xbox moved away from it with the end of the Gears of War series. Though Gears of War is returning, not many developers have tried to create similar action games focused on dramatic presentation and detailed cutscenes, a style that was very popular during the PlayStation 2 era.

Notably, Artificial Detective shares a lot in common with the often-overlooked gem, The Order: 1886. That game was quickly dropped by its publisher, PlayStation, making it easy to forget about. The Order: 1886 was built to show off the PS4’s graphics and was a very straightforward, cinematic third-person shooter. Players moved through levels, sneaking and fighting, with high-quality, fully animated cutscenes that still rival those in many modern, big-budget games.

As a fan, I’ve been playing Artificial Detective and I’m immediately reminded of The Order: 1886. It’s not just that both games focus on story and use a third-person view, but the way combat works feels really similar too. Those quick button prompts during fights? They totally bring back memories of the intense quick-time events in 1886‘s close-up battles. Plus, the blend of sneaking around and then getting into action, and even the cool futuristic take on old-timey buildings… it’s all there! I’m hoping Artificial Detective won’t be as straight-forward or get overlooked like The Order did, but honestly, I can’t help but see the connections and I’m really hyped about it.

Artificial Detective builds on the strengths of The Order: 1886, maintaining its beautiful graphics and action-packed style while improving the combat and offering more open levels. This is especially welcome news since a sequel to The Order was cancelled, and it seems unlikely we’ll ever see that story continued. If Artificial Detective can pave the way for more games like The Order, I’m eager to play them – particularly because games of this type are becoming increasingly rare outside of PlayStation.

We Need More Games Like The Order: 1886

It seems like the gaming industry is moving away from traditional, story-driven, single-player shooters. These games were once incredibly popular – think of the Xbox 360 and early PlayStation 4 days – but now they’re becoming rare. Open-world games and multiplayer experiences are much more common, and many believe this is because single-player shooters are seen as too straightforward and don’t offer the long-lasting gameplay or freedom that many players now want.

Honestly, I think short, focused campaigns are exactly what we need right now. AAA games are getting ridiculous – they’re so long and packed with stuff just to keep us playing, instead of telling a good story. It feels like they’re always trying to hook you with huge worlds and endless side quests, just so you’ll keep playing until the next game does the same thing. I really miss when games were tighter and more focused. A good, linear campaign isn’t a bad thing – it’s a way to deliver a really powerful story and gameplay experience without all the fluff.

Games like The Order: 1886 and Artificial Detective offer detailed environments and dramatic moments that are hard to create in massive, open-world games. While linear games limit player freedom, that’s intentional – they’re designed to deliver a specific, controlled story. Giving players too much control in a game like Spec Ops: The Line, for instance, would have weakened its impact. Linear games simplify the task of crafting strong, cinematic narratives, while open-world games relieve linear games from needing huge environments or extensive exploration. Both types of games can complement each other, helping each achieve its strengths and giving players a well-rounded experience without losing what makes each unique.

When The Order: 1886 first came out, it didn’t quite connect with players, partly because it was expensive and partly because it launched at a time when open-world games were becoming incredibly popular. Everything was getting bigger and longer, and The Order’s shorter, story-focused campaign, though visually stunning, felt too limited. But now, with games like Artificial Detective and Kena: Bridge of Spirits proving popular, there might be a place for that kind of experience again. Many gamers are starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer length of modern open-world games. While a sequel to The Order: 1886 seems unlikely, Ready at Dawn’s game could inspire a return to captivating, linear, single-player adventures.

Would you like to see more games similar to The Order: 1886? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-06 01:41