Moon Studios, the creative force behind Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has announced that the official launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will be delayed until March 2027. The game entered early‑access in April 2024 with an original full‑release target of October 2026.
By July 2026 the title had already moved two million copies, demonstrating strong community interest and solid sales performance. According to a statement from the studio, the project is "close" to being finished, yet the team emphasized that "close isn’t good enough" for the final 1.0 version they intend to ship.
"The honest truth is that we’re a small team, and we hold our games to a standard we will not compromise on," the announcement read. This commitment to quality explains the decision to add extra development time rather than rush a product that does not meet their internal benchmarks.
The additional months will be used to fine‑tune several core aspects of the game. Moon Studios highlighted three primary areas of focus: improving overall performance, tightening the class system, and polishing the experience to the level players deserve. Rather than cutting corners, the studio prefers to spend the extra time ensuring the game runs smoothly on all platforms, that each class feels balanced and distinct, and that every visual and audio cue meets the high bar set by previous Moon Studios titles.
To keep the community engaged during this extended development window, the studio plans a series of both closed and open beta tests. An open beta is slated for December, giving players worldwide a chance to dive into the unfinished build, provide feedback, and help shape the final product.
Those who purchase No Rest for the Wicked before January 1 2027 will be rewarded with a "Founders Pack," a collection of exclusive in‑game items and bonuses designed to thank early supporters for their patience during the early‑access phase. PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, and those pre‑orders will also qualify for the Founders Pack rewards. This coordinated rollout ensures that console players receive the same incentives as PC players, fostering a unified community across platforms.
In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler provided additional context for the delay. He described the recent months as a "mad dash" to integrate more content, finalize the class system, and lock in all the features slated for the 1.0 launch.
Mahler admitted that despite extensive play‑testing, the team still feels the game is not yet ready for a full release. "We’ve been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we’re not quite there yet," he said. Mahler traced the project's origins back to 2016, when the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked were created.
Over the ensuing years, the studio has iterated on the concept, expanding its scope and refining its mechanics. Now, with the project entering its final stages, the team wants to ensure a smooth landing.
"We would just like to take that extra time to make sure that we land this plane safely and that we don’t ship with any silly little bugs left," Mahler explained. The developer’s ultimate goal is to deliver a "generational" experience—one of those rare titles that defines a period in gaming history.
By refusing to settle for a merely "close" finish, Moon Studios hopes to present a game that feels timeless, polished, and memorable. They believe that players deserve a product that reflects the studio’s reputation for artistic excellence and innovative design. In summary, No Rest for the Wicked will now launch in March 2027 after an extended development cycle aimed at perfecting performance, class balance, and overall polish.
The delay allows for further beta testing, community involvement, and the delivery of a final product that meets the high expectations set by Moon Studios’ previous successes. Early supporters will be rewarded with a Founders Pack, and PlayStation pre‑orders will open in January 2027, ensuring that fans across all platforms can share in the upcoming launch.
The studio remains committed to quality over speed, promising that the extra waiting time will result in a game worthy of the label "generational."