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 now take place in 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, but the studio decided to extend the development window to ensure the final product lives up to the lofty ambitions it set for itself. In a statement released on the studio’s website, Moon Studios explained that while the project is "close" to being finished, "close" simply does not satisfy the level of polish and performance the team promises its audience. "The honest truth is that we’re a small team, and we hold our games to a standard that we will not compromise on," the announcement read.
"The extra time will allow us to improve performance, tighten the class system, and polish the entire experience to the level you all deserve. We would rather take a few more months than ship something that we know isn’t quite perfect yet." The delay also opens the door for additional beta testing phases.
Moon Studios said that more closed‑beta and open‑beta sessions will be organized over the coming months, giving the community further opportunities to dive into the world, provide feedback, and help shape the final 1.0 build. An open beta is slated for December 2026, during which players will be able to explore the game's core mechanics, test the newly refined class system, and report any lingering bugs or balance issues. To reward early supporters, the studio announced a "Founders Pack" incentive.
Anyone who purchases No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027 will receive a bundle of exclusive in‑game items and cosmetic upgrades as a thank‑you for backing the project during its early‑access phase. PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the title starting in January 2027, and those pre‑orders will also qualify for the same Founders Pack rewards.
In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler gave more context about the decision. Mahler described the last several months as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and bring all the remaining 1.0 features into the game.
"We’ve been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we’re not quite there yet," Mahler said. He emphasized that the team has been iterating on prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked since 2016, and that the current development stage is the final stretch before the game is ready for a public launch. Mahler elaborated on why the extra time is crucial: "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.
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 studio’s commitment to quality mirrors a broader trend in the industry where developers prioritize long‑term reputation over short‑term revenue spikes. By delaying the launch, Moon Studios hopes to avoid the pitfalls of a rushed release that could damage player trust and diminish the game's lasting impact. The additional months will be used to fine‑tune performance across a range of hardware configurations, ensuring that the game runs smoothly on both current‑generation consoles and high‑end PCs. Fans have reacted positively to the news, appreciating the transparency and the promise of more beta opportunities.
Community forums are already buzzing with speculation about what new content might be added during the extended development window. Some players are hoping for expanded lore, additional side quests, and deeper customization options for the class system, which has already generated considerable excitement during early‑access playtests. From a business perspective, the decision to push the release to March 2027 also aligns with the studio’s marketing calendar.
By launching in the spring, Moon Studios can avoid the crowded holiday season, giving No Rest for the Wicked a clearer runway for media coverage, influencer streams, and award‑season consideration. The timing also allows the studio to capitalize on the momentum built by the open beta in December, turning player enthusiasm into pre‑order sales as the official launch window approaches.
In summary, Moon Studios has chosen to delay the full release of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 in order to meet its own high standards of quality, performance, and polish. The extra development time will be spent refining the class system, enhancing overall performance, and conducting additional beta tests that involve the community directly. Early supporters will be rewarded with a Founders Pack, and PlayStation pre‑orders will open in January 2027.
Founder Thomas Mahler’s candid remarks underscore the studio’s dedication to delivering a generational experience that lives up to the expectations set by its acclaimed predecessors.