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 plan to ship the final 1.0 version in October 2026. By July 2026, the game had already moved two million copies, a strong indicator of community interest and commercial momentum.
Despite the impressive sales figures, the studio has been candid about the state of development. In a statement, Moon Studios said the project is "close" to being finished, but they emphasized that "close" does not satisfy the level of polish they demand for the official 1.0 release.
"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 statement read. The decision to delay stems from a desire to refine several core aspects of the experience.
The additional months will be devoted to boosting performance across all platforms, tightening the intricate class system that underpins player progression, and generally polishing every facet of the game so it meets the expectations of the community. "We’d rather take a few more months than ship something that we know isn’t quite perfect yet," the developers explained. To keep players engaged while the team continues its work, Moon Studios outlined a schedule of further beta opportunities. An open beta is slated for December 2026, giving fans a chance to dive deeper into the world and provide feedback that will directly influence the final build.
Those who purchase No Rest for the Wicked before January 1 2027 will be rewarded with a special "Founders Pack," a token of appreciation for early supporters who backed the game during its early‑access phase. PlayStation enthusiasts will also have a pathway to earn these rewards.
Pre‑orders for the console version are set to begin in January 2027, aligning with the broader launch window and ensuring that console players can access the same exclusive content as PC backers. In a complementary video posted on YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler offered more context about the delay. He described the development team as having been on a "mad dash" to incorporate additional content, finalize the class system, and integrate all the features earmarked for the 1.0 version. "We’ve been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we’re not quite there yet," Mahler admitted.
Mahler reflected on the project's origins, noting that the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked date back to 2016. Over the past decade, the concept has evolved dramatically, and the team now 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," he said.
The studio’s overarching goal, according to Mahler, is to deliver an experience that feels timeless—a "generational" game that stands out in the crowded market and is remembered for years to come. "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," he concluded.
The delay has been met with a mixture of disappointment and understanding from the community. Many players appreciate the transparency and the studio’s commitment to quality over a rushed release. Others, eager to explore the game's expansive world and intricate mechanics, hope the additional beta windows will provide ample opportunity to stay connected to the project.
No Rest for the Wicked promises a rich, atmospheric adventure set in a meticulously crafted universe, featuring a deep class system that allows for varied playstyles, challenging combat encounters, and a narrative that intertwines with the lore of the Ori franchise while forging its own identity. The extra development time is expected to enhance these pillars, ensuring smoother frame rates, fewer technical hiccups, and a more cohesive story arc.
In summary, Moon Studios has chosen to postpone the full launch of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 in order to meet its own high standards of excellence. The delay will be used to fine‑tune performance, perfect the class mechanics, and polish the overall experience.
Upcoming beta tests, a Founders Pack for early purchasers, and pre‑order incentives for PlayStation users are all part of the studio’s plan to keep the community engaged and rewarded while they perfect what they hope will become a landmark title in the action‑RPG genre.