Moon Studios, the creative force behind the beloved Ori series, 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 set for October 2026. By July 2026, the game had already moved two million copies, indicating strong community interest and solid sales performance during its early‑access phase. In a candid statement, the studio explained that while the project is "close" to the version they intend to ship, "close" simply does not satisfy the level of polish they demand for a 1.0 launch.
"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 commitment to quality is the primary reason for the additional development window. The extra months will be used to fine‑tune several core aspects of the game.
Performance optimization tops the list, ensuring that the experience runs smoothly across all supported platforms. The class system—one of the most ambitious features introduced in No Rest for the Wicked—will receive further balancing and depth, allowing players to experiment with a variety of playstyles without feeling over‑ or under‑powered. Moreover, the team plans to polish every corner of the world, from visual fidelity to audio design, so that the final product meets the high expectations of both longtime fans and newcomers. Moon Studios also emphasized that the delay will enable a more extensive testing program.
"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 studio said. The upcoming open beta is slated for December 2026, giving players a chance to experience the current state of the game, provide feedback, and directly influence the final tweaks before the official launch.
To reward early supporters, the studio announced a special incentive: 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. This offer extends to PlayStation users as well, with pre‑orders opening in January 2027, ensuring that console players can also claim the limited‑edition rewards. The news was delivered in a separate YouTube announcement by studio founder Thomas Mahler, who described the development process as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and lock in all the features slated for the 1.0 version.
Mahler admitted that extensive playtesting revealed the game was still a work in progress. "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 date back to 2016. Over the past decade, the team has iterated on ideas, refined mechanics, and built a rich, interconnected world. "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. He underscored the studio's desire to deliver a "generational" experience—one of those rare games that defines a moment in gaming history.
The decision to delay has been met with a mix of understanding and anticipation from the community. Many players appreciate Moon Studios' transparency and its willingness to prioritize quality over a rushed release date. Others are eager to see the promised enhancements, particularly the refined class system, which promises deeper strategic options and more personalized character progression.
Industry analysts view the delay as a sign of the growing trend among indie and mid‑size studios to adopt a more patient, quality‑first approach, especially when early‑access models provide valuable real‑world data. By extending the development timeline, Moon Studios can incorporate community feedback, fix performance bottlenecks, and ensure that the final product lives up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessor, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. In summary, No Rest for the Wicked will now launch in March 2027, after an additional period devoted to performance upgrades, class system refinement, and overall polish.
The studio will continue to engage its community through beta testing, and early buyers will be rewarded with exclusive Founders Pack content. Moon Studios remains committed to delivering a polished, memorable adventure that stands alongside the most celebrated titles in the genre, even if it means taking a little longer to get there.