Moon Studios, the creative force behind Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has announced that the full launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will be delayed until March 2027. The title entered early‑access in April 2024 with an original full‑release target of October 2026.
By July 2026 the game had already moved two million copies, a strong showing for a project still in development. In a statement released by the studio, the team said the game is "close" to being ready for its version 1.0 launch, but they stressed that "close" simply does not satisfy the level of polish they demand for a final product.
"The honest truth is that we're a small team, and we're holding our games to a standard we won't compromise on," the announcement read. This candid admission underscores Moon Studios' commitment to delivering a finished experience that meets both their own expectations and those of the community. The additional months granted by the postponement will be used for several key improvements.
First, performance optimisation will be a primary focus, ensuring the game runs smoothly across all supported platforms. Second, the developers plan to tighten the class system, refining the balance and depth of each playable archetype so that players can enjoy a more cohesive and rewarding progression.
Finally, a comprehensive polish pass will address lingering bugs, visual inconsistencies, and any gameplay rough edges that could detract from the overall immersion. Moon Studios emphasized that they would rather extend the development timeline than ship a product they consider imperfect.
"We'd rather take a few more months than ship something that we know isn't quite perfect yet," the studio said. This philosophy mirrors a broader industry trend where developers prioritize long‑term reputation over short‑term release windows.
The delay also opens the door for more extensive community testing. The studio announced a series of both closed and open beta sessions that will run over the coming months. These tests will give players early access to new content, allow them to provide feedback on balance and mechanics, and help the developers identify any remaining issues before the final launch. An open beta is slated for December 2026, giving a wide audience the chance to experience the game and contribute to its refinement.
To reward early supporters, Moon Studios introduced a "Founders Pack" for anyone who purchases No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027. This bundle includes exclusive in‑game items, skins, and other bonuses designed to acknowledge the community’s patience and enthusiasm during the extended development period.
PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, and those pre‑orders will also qualify for the same Founders Pack rewards. In a separate video posted on YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler provided further insight into the decision. He described the recent months as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and incorporate all the features planned for the 1.0 release. Mahler explained that extensive play‑testing revealed the game was still missing critical polish.
"We've been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we're not quite there yet," he said. Mahler reflected on the project's long history, noting that the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked were built back in 2016. Over a decade later, the team finds itself in the final stretch of development.
"Given we're in the last couple of months, 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 added. His metaphor of a plane landing safely captures the studio's desire to deliver a seamless, bug‑free experience. The developer concluded with a hopeful vision for the game's legacy. "We want everybody to have a wonderful experience and ship something that is one of those generational games that only comes out every so often," Mahler said.
By postponing the launch, Moon Studios hopes to ensure that No Rest for the Wicked lives up to that ambition, offering a memorable, high‑quality adventure that stands alongside the most celebrated titles in the genre. In summary, Moon Studios' decision to push the full release of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize quality, performance, and community involvement over meeting an earlier deadline. The extended timeline will be used to fine‑tune the game's systems, conduct additional beta testing, and reward early adopters, all with the goal of delivering a polished, generational experience that meets the high expectations set by the studio's previous acclaimed releases.