Fans of the acclaimed Ori games may have to wait a long time for the next entry in the franchise. The last game in the series, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, was released in 2020 by developer Moon Studios, who recently launched its new action-RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, in Early Access for PC. For this brand-new IP, the studio is committed to a longer support cycle.

Moon Studios' breakout hit was 2015's Ori and the Blind Forest. The 2D Metroidvania title's gorgeous art style, delightful platformer gameplay, and charming storytelling absolutely bowled players over, but the combat left a little to be desired. This was rectified in Blind Forest's 2020 sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which not only improved combat and visuals significantly, but also refined the platforming mechanics while retaining the impactful storytelling. Four years later, Moon Studios made the leap from 2D Metroidvania to the action RPG genre with No Rest for the Wicked, and the studio appears to have big plans for the new IP, which may end up delaying the development of a future third Ori entry.

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Launched in Early Access on PC in April 2024, No Rest for the Wicked has garnered positive reviews for its impressive graphics, intriguing world, and Soulslike combat. Moon Studios CEO and creative director Thomas Mahler recently posted a long tweet addressing concerns about the studio's long-term goals for No Rest for the Wicked: "Folks, we're nowhere near done with No Rest for the Wicked. There is so much that we've already built that none of you even know about and we want to deliver this in a masterful way! No Rest for the Wicked is like our Lord of the Rings. And to further use this analogy, what we've done so far is akin to doing a test screening of the first bits. 1.0 will be our Fellowship of the Ring. And as you all know, there's lots to come after that. So to be clear: We'll be working on No Rest for the Wicked for another 5–10 years. This is our Magnum Opus. We always had lofty ambitions and we said we're going to contribute in a huge way to the ARPG genre - and that is our intention."

There May not be Another Ori Entry for a Decade

Mahler's tweet confirms an ambitious commitment to No Rest for the Wicked for the foreseeable future, and for those who would rather see a new Ori game from Moon Studios, a long wait is in order. Responding to a comment asking about a third entry in the Ori series, Mahler jokingly states, "Well, I hope now you folks understand why we won't be making Ori 3 any time soon!" Mahler's replies to other comments likening No Rest for the Wicked's planned support to Diablo 4 suggest that the action RPG may receive long-term content additions and seasons.

The Ori games are some of the best 2D platformers out there, and the series being on hold for the foreseeable future will no doubt disappoint a lot of fans. However, Moon Studios' dedication to No Rest for the Wicked is a very encouraging sign. The studio's ambitious vision and long-term commitment bode well for the future of the game, and the promising Early Access reviews point to a heavy hitter in the isometric action RPG genre. While Ori 3 will take much longer than expected to hit store shelves, Moon Studios' outpouring of passion into No Rest for the Wicked could make it one of the greatest isometric ARPGs ever made.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

The breathtakingly stunning game from Moon Studios, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a sequel to the wildly popular Ori and the Blind Forest. This Metroidvania transports players into a magical, detailed 2D world of platforming, where they can unlock new abilities as they progress through a captivating story.

Platform(s)

Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch , PC

Released

March 11, 2020

Developer(s)

Moon Studios

Publisher(s)

Xbox Game Studios

Genre(s)

Platformer , Adventure