Moon Studios, the creative force behind the beloved Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has announced that the official launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will now take place in March 2027. The title entered early‑access in April 2024 and was originally slated for a full 1.0 release in October 2026.
As of July 2026, the game has already moved more than two million copies, a strong indicator of the community’s enthusiasm. In a candid statement, the studio explained that while the project is "close" to being finished, that level of proximity simply isn’t sufficient for the final version they intend to ship. "Close isn’t good enough for our full 1.0 launch," the developers wrote, underscoring their commitment to a level of polish that matches the expectations set by their previous titles. The studio emphasized that its small team refuses to sacrifice quality for speed.
"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 philosophy has driven the decision to allocate additional development time, which the team says will be used to improve performance, refine the class system, and generally elevate every facet of the experience to a level that feels worthy of the community’s support. Moon Studios also highlighted that the extra months will allow for more extensive beta testing. "It also means more closed and open beta tests in the coming months, which means you, our community, can get your hands on it and help us shape the final 1.0 build," the statement added.
An open beta is slated for December, giving players a chance to dive into the world, provide feedback, and help identify any lingering issues before the official launch. To reward early supporters, the studio announced a "Founders Pack" for anyone who purchases No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027.
This package will include exclusive in‑game items and other bonuses as a thank‑you for backing the game during its early‑access phase. PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the title starting in January 2027, and those orders will also qualify for the Founders Pack rewards.
The news was delivered in a separate YouTube announcement by studio founder Thomas Mahler, who described the recent development sprint as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and lock down the remaining 1.0 features. Mahler admitted that despite the intense play‑testing schedule, the team still feels the product isn’t quite 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 team has iterated on the concept, gradually building out the world, mechanics, and narrative. Now, with the project entering its final phase, the studio wants to ensure a smooth landing. "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.
The developer’s ultimate goal is to deliver an experience that feels "generational"—the kind of game that defines a moment in gaming history and only appears once in a while. "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 concluded.
In summary, Moon Studios is opting for a later release date to guarantee that No Rest for the Wicked meets the high bar they have set for themselves. The additional development window will be used to fine‑tune performance, deepen the class system, and incorporate community feedback from upcoming beta tests. Early adopters will be rewarded with a Founders Pack, and PlayStation users will have the chance to pre‑order in early 2027. The studio’s transparent communication and willingness to delay the launch underscore a dedication to quality over expediency, promising players a polished, immersive adventure when the game finally arrives in March 2027.