Summary
Fans of the acclaimedOrigames 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’sOri 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 inBlind 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 theaction RPG genre withNo 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 thirdOrientry.
Launched in Early Access on PC in April 2024,No Rest for the Wickedhas garnered positive reviewsfor its impressive graphics, intriguing world, and Soulslike combat. Moon Studios CEO and creative directorThomas Mahler recently posted a long tweetaddressing concerns about the studio’s long-term goals forNo Rest for the Wicked: “Folks, we’re nowhere near done withNo 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 Wickedis like ourLord 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 ourFellowship of the Ring. And as you all know, there’s lots to come after that. So to be clear: We’ll be working onNo Rest for the Wickedfor 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 toNo Rest for the Wickedfor the foreseeable future, and for those who would rather see anewOrigame from Moon Studios, a long wait is in order. Responding to a comment asking about a third entry in theOriseries, Mahler jokingly states, “Well, I hope now you folks understand why we won’t be makingOri 3any time soon!” Mahler’s replies to other comments likeningNo Rest for the Wicked’s planned support toDiablo 4suggest that the action RPG may receive long-term content additions and seasons.
TheOrigames are some of the best 2D platformersout there, and the series being on hold for the foreseeable future will no doubt disappoint a lot of fans. However, Moon Studios' dedication toNo Rest for the Wickedis 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. WhileOri 3will take much longer than expected to hit store shelves, Moon Studios' outpouring of passion intoNo Rest for the Wickedcould make it one of the greatest isometric ARPGs ever made.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
WHERE TO PLAY
The little spirit Ori is no stranger to peril, but when a fateful flight puts the owlet Ku in harm’s way, it will take more than bravery to bring a family back together, heal a broken land, and discover Ori’s true destiny. From the creators of the acclaimed action-platformer Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly anticipated sequel. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast world filled with new friends and foes that come to life in stunning, hand-painted artwork. Set to a fully orchestrated original score, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continues the Moon Studios tradition of tightly crafted platforming action and deeply emotional storytelling.
