This PS4 Game Could Have Rivaled Gears of War if Sony Didn’t Drop the Ball

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I bought an Xbox 360 specifically to play Gears of War. I was completely impressed by its cover-based shooting, and after finishing the original trilogy, I became convinced that third-person shooters were better than first-person ones. So, I was really excited when Sony announced The Order: 1886, a similar game for PlayStation. I bought it right away, set up my PS4, and started playing. I hoped it would be as epic and story-driven as Gears of War, but I ended up feeling let down. While the game looked fantastic, it just didn’t quite deliver on its promise.

As a fan, I remember being so hyped for The Order: 1886. It felt like Ready At Dawn was about to change how stories were told in shooter games, and for a little while, it really seemed like Sony had something special – a potential rival to Gears of War and the start of an amazing series. The game itself was gorgeous, with a really cool, dark take on Victorian London, and it played like a solid cover-based shooter. But honestly, the excitement died down pretty quickly, and it just kind of… disappeared. It’s a shame, because it really had potential.

The Order: 1886 Had the Style, the Setting, and the Gunplay to Compete

When The Order: 1886 came out in 2015, it sparked a lot of debate. Some people felt it was more like watching a movie than playing a game, pointing to its short length and focus on cutscenes. However, others – including me – found it to be a unique experience. Ready at Dawn had a clear vision: to combine the precise gameplay of Gears of War with the grand scale of a blockbuster film. The game seemed poised for success, but it ultimately suffered from one significant problem.

The shooting in The Order: 1886 felt fantastic. Each gunfight was impactful and felt important, similar to the battles in the Gears of War series. It was really satisfying to quickly move between cover, like behind broken walls, and fire weapons such as the Thermite Rifle or Arc Gun. I especially enjoyed how smooth the cover system and animations were. But what really made the game special was its unique style – a blend of steampunk, Victorian-era design, and a hint of fantasy.

Despite fantastic gameplay, a compelling story, and beautiful graphics, the game suffered from major flaws. It was simply too short for its price – most players finished it in just seven to ten hours. While the core gameplay was excellent, a lot of time was spent on slow sections and unnecessary walking, which made the experience feel even shorter. Ultimately, many felt the game didn’t offer enough content to justify the cost, leaving them disappointed.

Sony Had a New Flagship Franchise but Let It Slip Away

Looking back, the anticipation for The Order: 1886 was huge. Trailers showed incredible graphics, exciting action, and a compelling story. The game delivered on those promises – it truly felt like a next-generation experience when it came out. However, players were upset about paying full price for such a short game – it took most people around seven hours to finish. With no reason to play it again once completed, the lack of replay value really damaged its reputation.

Sony’s response to the criticism of The Order: 1886 was a letdown. I was hoping they’d address the concerns and create a successful sequel. With some improvements from Ready at Dawn and Sony, a second game could have been a major hit. Unfortunately, they decided not to pursue it, and the game was eventually forgotten. There was no follow-up content, no attempt to restart the franchise, and no second chance to build on the game’s interesting story and world. A potentially great series was left unfinished, and its potential remains unrealized.

In hindsight, it’s clear a great opportunity was missed with The Order: 1886. While the first game wasn’t perfect, its problems stemmed from limited development resources, not core gameplay ideas. With more support from Sony, I believe it could have been as good as, or even better than, Gears of War. It’s particularly frustrating because the game ended on a cliffhanger, hinting at a sequel that never materialized, as Sony decided not to pursue it further.

One of the PS4’s Most Beautiful Games Deserved a Second Chance

Even now, starting up The Order: 1886 is a beautiful experience. The game still looks incredible, showing just how much Ready at Dawn was able to achieve with the PS4’s technology – and what’s possible today. Every scene is full of atmosphere, making it one of the most visually impressive games ever made. I’m still hoping to hear about a remake or, even better, a sequel, and the PlayStation 5 would be the perfect platform for its comeback.

The Order: 1886 had a lot going for it, and could have become a major PlayStation series like God of War, The Last of Us, and Horizon: Zero Dawn if it had been longer. It’s disappointing that the game wasn’t given the opportunity to succeed, rather than simply failing. With today’s technology, a second attempt could easily revitalize the game and finally live up to the initial excitement.

Sony should consider updating the original game with a remaster or remake. A price point around $40 would likely encourage more players to try it. They could add content like new missions or a multiplayer mode to justify the cost. Addressing criticisms – like the game being slow-paced – with improved graphics and tighter gameplay would also be beneficial. These changes could revive the game’s reputation and potentially open the door for a long-awaited sequel that fans, including myself, have been hoping for.

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2025-10-21 19:11