No Rest for the Wicked: Everything We Know

Ori and the Will of the Wisps developer Moon Studios has teased its latest project—a “visceral, precision ARPG” called No Rest for the Wicked, which will reportedly look to “reinvent the genre.” That's quite the boast, and yet, one that also carries a bit of weight, given the developer's long line of consecutive commercial successes and victories at The Game Awards. It's mainly due to the firm's history as an award-winning outfit that, from an insider's perspective, the forthcoming IP will be one to keep an eye on, for sure.

Although Moon Studios has yet to remove the entire veil on its latest project, the team has, at least, shed light on several of the game's core components. Interested in unraveling the entire spool? If so, then be sure to read on for all the latest developments and patch notes. Here's everything we know about No Rest for the Wicked.

What Is No Rest for the Wicked?

No Rest for the Wicked is an upcoming ARPG by award-winning developer, Moon Studios. According to the team, the latest adventure will transport players to the root of an “unholy plague” known as the Pestilence—a world-shattering event of which its victims cannot remediate, and the kingdom's “untested” heir struggles to comprehend. As a holy warrior—a mystical being with “remarkable” powers—players will have to embark on an epic quest to not only banish the Pestilence, but also confront a “ruthlessly ambitious figure in the church”—a character who years to prove herself in “the eyes of her god.”

From the looks of the footage that we’ve caught so far, No Rest for the Wicked will aim to blend a series of platforming elements, similar to those featured in Ori and the Will of the Wisps, with a brand-new ARPG-focused experience. If what the devs are saying turns out to be true, then the game could, with any luck, “reinvent the genre.”

Story

Although the plot is still a little cloudy, we do know that the story will center itself around the year 841—a trying time in which political leaders and corruption shroud the kingdom and fight for control over a wicked plague.

In the words of its creators: “The year is 841 – King Harol is dead. As word of his death echoes throughout the kingdom, the crown passes to his arrogant, yet untested son Magnus. Even worse, the Pestilence, an unholy plague not seen for a thousand years, has returned. It sweeps across the land, corrupting everything and everyone it touches. Madrigal Seline, a ruthlessly ambitious figure in the church, sees the Pestilence as a chance to prove herself in the eyes of her god.”

“You are a Cerim – a member of a group of mystical holy warriors imbued with remarkable powers and sworn to defeat the Pestilence at any cost,” the blurb continues. “But the task will prove increasingly challenging as you become entangled in the people’s plight and the vast political struggle of this downtrodden land. Chaos will pull you in every direction as you seek to cleanse the land of wickedness and shape the kingdom’s fate.”

Gameplay

No Rest for the Wicked will be a bread-and-butter ARPG, which means Diablo fans will have more than enough to bite into come launch day. And with that, we can also expect copious amounts of loot, crafting, and enemies to shovel through over a seemingly drawn-out campaign.

“Hone combat skills with a system that challenges you to be deliberate and strategic,” the game description adds. “Battle against gruesome creatures, enemy soldiers, and punishing bosses in tense, visceral combat. Feel the weight and speed of each weapon through their own move sets. Enchant armaments with runes, craft rare armor, and create bespoke character builds that fit your playstyle.”

In addition to the core gameplay elements, No Rest for the Wicked will also feature an online co-op mode, which will allow for up to three additional players to join in the battle, or, according to the devs, venture off to do as they please elsewhere.

“Explore a painting come to life – take in the striking painterly world, meticulously built with an incredible attention to detail in a unique, ageless art style,” the description continues. “Beauty radiates in every frame, from the dappled sunlight of the Lowland Meadows to the viscera-smeared, twisted shadows of the Nameless Pass. Each new location is home to its own people, problems, hidden treasures, and secrets to unearth.”

Development

In case you missed the initial announcement, Moon Studios first brought No Rest for the Wicked to the spotlight during The Game Awards 2023. It was revealed at the time that the game would be arriving on all major platforms, and that it would be receiving a concrete release date later.

Moon Studios, for those who missed out on its previous works, is an award-winning developer, and one that also happens to own the bragging rights for awards such as Best Art Direction, and a BAFTA for Artistic Achievement. Suffice it to say, No Rest for the Wicked is in safe hands.

Trailer

Fortunately for us, Moon Studios did share an in-depth preview of No Rest for the Wicked during The Game Awards on December 7, 2023.  The only downside to said preview is that, well, it doesn't give a huge amount of gameplay details away. Nevertheless, you can catch a glimpse of the upcoming ARPG in the announcement trailer above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

No Rest for the Wicked will be arriving on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC at some stage in the (hopefully) not-so-distant future. As for when it’ll arrive on the aforementioned platforms is still something of a mystery, though if we had to put a pin on a potential launch window, then we’d have to shoot for a loose Q4 2024 release at the very earliest. However, until Moon Studios can shed light on the matter, we’ll have to sit idly by and wait for the next update.

Has Moon Studios' newest venture caught your interest? If so, then be sure to check in with the team over on their official social handle here. If anything changes ahead of its global debut, then we'll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of No Rest for the Wicked when it arrives on its chosen platforms? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.