Moon Studios, the creative force behind the beloved Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has announced that the full launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will now take place in March 2027. The title initially entered early access in April 2024, with a planned version‑1.0 release slated for October 2026.
As of July 2026, the game has already moved two million copies, a testament to the strong anticipation surrounding the project. In a candid statement, the studio explained that while the game is "close" to being finished, that level of proximity does not satisfy the high bar they have set for the final product. "Close isn’t good enough for our full 1.0 launch," the developers wrote, emphasizing their commitment to delivering a polished experience rather than rushing to meet an arbitrary deadline.
The team highlighted several specific areas that will benefit from the additional development window. Performance optimisation is a top priority; the studio wants the game to run smoothly across all supported platforms without compromising visual fidelity. The class system, a core mechanic that will define player progression and combat strategy, also requires fine‑tuning to ensure balance and depth. Beyond those technical aspects, Moon Studios is devoted to polishing every facet of the game—from level design and narrative pacing to sound design and UI clarity—so that players receive the level of quality they feel they deserve.
"We’re a small team, and we hold our games to a standard we won’t compromise on," the statement read. "The extra time will help us improve performance, tighten the class system, and polish the whole game to the standard you all deserve. We’d rather take a few more months than ship something that we know isn’t quite perfect yet." To keep the community engaged during this extended development period, Moon Studios announced a series of additional beta phases.
An open beta is scheduled for December, giving players the chance to dive into the evolving build and provide direct feedback. This iterative testing approach will allow the studio to refine gameplay mechanics, identify hidden bugs, and gauge player reactions to new content before the official launch. Early supporters will also be rewarded for their patience.
Anyone who purchases No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027, will receive a "Founders Pack" containing exclusive in‑game items and cosmetic bonuses as a token of appreciation for backing the project during its early access phase. PlayStation users will have the opportunity to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, with the same founder rewards available to console players. In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler provided further insight into the decision to delay. He described the past months as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and incorporate all of the promised 1.0 features.
Mahler admitted that despite extensive playtesting, the team felt the game was 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," Mahler said.
He reflected on the long development history, noting that the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked date back to 2016. With the project now entering its final stages, the studio wants to ensure a smooth and bug‑free launch. "We’ve been working on the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked all the way back in 2016, and 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 explained. "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." The delay underscores a growing trend in the industry where developers prioritize long‑term reputation and player satisfaction over meeting tight release windows.
By opting for a March 2027 launch, Moon Studios signals that it values the integrity of its creative vision and the trust of its community above short‑term financial pressures. Fans of the studio’s previous titles can look forward to a more refined and immersive experience, with the promise of richer storytelling, tighter combat mechanics, and a fully fleshed‑out class system that encourages diverse playstyles. The upcoming beta phases will also provide a valuable opportunity for the community to shape the final product, ensuring that the eventual 1.0 version reflects both the developers’ aspirations and player expectations. In summary, Moon Studios has postponed the official release of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027, citing a desire to meet uncompromising quality standards.
The extra development time will be used to enhance performance, perfect the class system, and polish the overall experience. An open beta is set for December, and early purchasers will receive exclusive founder rewards. Founder Thomas Mahler emphasized that the team is committed to delivering a generational game that lives up to the high expectations of its audience.