No Rest for the Wicked – More Than an ARPG Souls-like? (Early Access Review)

What happens when the creators of Ori decide to build a brutal, Souls-like ARPG?

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No Rest for the Wicked

Release Date: April 18, 2024

Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure

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No Rest for the Wicked might be one of the most surprising genre shifts in recent years. The game entered Early Access on April 18, 2024 and as we can see, the studio decided to try its hand at a completely different genre than the platformers it became famous for. But how well did that experiment turn out?

An Action RPG With Platforming Elements

Having played many ARPGs before, I expected something similar to what games like Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth, Final Fantasy XVI, or had taught me.

You appear on a mostly linear (or occasionally semi-open) map and essentially follow a path until you reach the end point, which, in 99% of cases, is a boss.

You use abilities gained through leveling up and investing points into specific skills. In short, it follows the classic ARPG formula.

However, No Rest for the Wicked adds another layer: platforming. You will frequently find yourself jumping across platforms, rocks, rooftops, and other points separated by gaps. You can also “stick” to walls and move sideways along them, almost like Naked Snake sneaking along a narrow ledge.

Unfortunately, these platforming elements are not always as enjoyable as they might sound.

These mechanics do add depth to exploration, but they can also be quite frustrating. One of the later story quests currently available in Early Access is a particularly memorable example — but I’ll avoid spoilers.

That said, No Rest for the Wicked approaches the ARPG concept in its own way. It introduces systems that feel familiar from other games, but the way they come together creates something noticeably different.

Is No Rest for the Wicked a Souls-like?

The combat in No Rest for the Wicked feels far closer to what players know from FromSoftware titles.

You will face large numbers of smaller enemies designed to slow your progress toward the boss. Some of them are clearly created to test your patience with mechanics that feel “fair” in the Souls-like sense of the word — meaning they can absolutely make you want to tear your hair out.

And then, of course, there is the big encounter at the end: a powerful boss with a massive health bar stretching across the bottom of the screen.

If you expect combat as flashy and fast-paced as something like Devil May Cry, this may not be the right game for you.

Fights in No Rest for the Wicked feel heavy — not necessarily difficult, but weighty. Every strike carries impact, especially when using weapons that scale with strength.

Your stamina bar drains quickly, and just like in Souls games, both attacks and dodges consume stamina.

The game also offers parrying mechanics, which will appeal to fans of titles like Sekiro or Lies of P, as well as players who prefer defensive combat styles.

There is also a huge variety of weapons available, including:

• Daggers
• Long swords
• Bows
• Staves
• Short swords
• Scythes
• and many more

Because of this, experimenting with different builds and weapon types is highly encouraged. Each weapon unlocks new possibilities and playstyles.

Weapon-Based Skill System

To briefly reference Final Fantasy VII again — that game had a Proficiency system allowing players to unlock abilities tied to specific weapons and eventually use those abilities without equipping that weapon.

No Rest for the Wicked introduces a somewhat similar concept.

Weapons have their own abilities, but the game allows you to extract skills from one weapon and assign them to another. Naturally, there are restrictions — you cannot attach a staff ability to a dagger, for example.

This system opens up an enormous number of build possibilities and allows players to craft exactly the playstyle they want.

You can also equip up to three primary weapons, which means you are not restricted to a single combat approach.

Do you want to become an assassin who fights with two short swords and finishes the fight with a dynamic downward dagger thrust? This game absolutely lets you do just that.

Co-op That Actually Requires Cooperation

Where the game truly stands apart is its co-op gameplay.

In multiplayer, you are not only fighting enemies — you are also fighting the environment and sometimes even your own teammates.

No Rest for the Wicked allows up to four players in a party. While these players are your allies, they can also accidentally become your biggest threat. This is because the game features a system where attacks can damage both enemies and teammates — friendly fire at its best.

Got a mage in your party? Great — but make sure you don’t stand in front of them while they are casting a spell that explodes on impact. Otherwise, you might end up being the unfortunate target.

Did someone decide to play a tank-like character wielding a massive battle axe? Fantastic — just make sure you’re not standing next to them when they swing it, because one poorly timed attack could take a large chunk of your health.

The co-op mode in No Rest for the Wicked brilliantly rewards communication and teamwork. You must coordinate strategies to defeat enemies while also making sure you don’t accidentally wipe out your own party.

For anyone looking for a game that truly tests the strength of friendship and trust, this title might be perfect.

Story… Well, It’s Still Early Access

I’ll be completely honest here — I have very little idea what exactly is happening in the world so far.

What I do know is that there is some form of plague destroying the land we explore.

For now, I treat the narrative mainly as a gateway that unlocks new regions and I would rather experience the full story once version 1.0 of the game is released.

At the moment, I can only say that the story exists. The cutscenes are beautiful, the characters are interesting, and the voice acting is well delivered. Moon Studios clearly knows what they’re doing here.

A Beautifully Crafted World

What immediately stands out is the visual design of the world, which is absolutely stunning.

Every asset you see on the screen appears to have been handcrafted, and that attention to detail is obvious.

The main hub city genuinely feels alive. NPCs wander the streets, guards patrol key locations, and poorer citizens live in the lowest and most difficult-to-reach areas of the city.

One feature that impressed me greatly is the ability to upgrade parts of the city, including:

• the forge
• the sawmill
• the alchemy table
• elevators that unlock faster traversal

You can even buy your own house and decorate it however you want.

Or, if you prefer, you can simply fill it with furnaces and melt all the copper, iron, and silver you’ve gathered.

And there is a lot to gather. The game allows you to:

• cut down trees
• collect mushrooms and plants
• mine ore deposits
• dig for buried treasure
• and even go fishing

(Fishing and petting animals are the most important mechanics in any game, so the fact that No Rest for the Wicked includes them clearly makes it a GOTY contender.)

The game also includes deep item customization systems using crystals that can be inserted into weapons and equipment. Items also come with random bonuses when picked up, but these bonuses can be rerolled using specific materials if you’re unhappy with the result.

And honestly, there’s even more to discover — but I’d rather not spoil everything in a review.

Roguelite Mode – Crucible Runs

As if the base game wasn’t enough, Moon Studios also added a roguelite-inspired mode called Crucible Runs.

In this mode, players fight through ten floors of combat encounters.

Floor five acts as a break room where you can repair gear or even respec your abilities to try a different build.

During these runs, you gain special cards that modify gameplay in interesting ways. These upgrades can cause enemies to explode upon death, add elemental infusions to attacks, and introduce many other powerful effects.

At the tenth floor, a boss awaits.

And honestly? That boss is incredibly difficult.

I only managed to defeat it after reaching the maximum level (30), obtaining strong upgrades, and equipping the best gear I could find.

It took me well over a dozen attempts — but when I finally won, the satisfaction was immense.

How Long Is No Rest for the Wicked?

If you’re planning to jump into the game, you can expect around 20 hours of main story content, including side quests.

However, thanks to additional activities such as daily and weekly quests, endgame content, and gear optimization, you can easily spend 50–60 hours in this engaging and rewarding experience.

It’s also worth noting that No Rest for the Wicked has the potential to become a game you return to every day. The combat system, character progression, and especially weapon customization offer a wide range of possibilities that are just waiting to be discovered.

No Rest for the Weekend

If you’re wondering whether No Rest for the Wicked is worth your time and money, the answer is simple: yes.

This game pulled me in far more than I expected. The title of this section isn’t accidental — I practically spent an entire weekend glued to the screen.

There is also a financial incentive to jump in early. While the game remains in Early Access, it costs $40. Once version 1.0 launches, the price will increase to $60.

Considering the developers’ plans for long-term support and expansion, this feels like a very worthwhile investment.

Pros and Cons of No Rest for the Wicked (Early Access)

Pros

• Beautiful world and rewarding exploration
• Deep and satisfying combat system
• Huge variety of weapons, abilities, and gear
• Challenging and rewarding co-op gameplay
• Crucible Runs roguelite mode
• Feels like a complete product despite being in Early Access
• Strong endgame potential
• Excellent boss design

Cons

• Frustrating platforming sections
• Some areas feel more annoying than fun to explore
• Optimization could be better (still Early Access)
• Minor bugs
• Bosses can be easily exploited

So… No Rest for the Next Weekend?

If you made it this far, the tone of this review probably already gives away my opinion.

• If you’re looking for something fresh in the ARPG genre — yes.
• If you enjoy Souls-like gameplay — yes.
• If you want a game that can absorb dozens of hours thanks to its excellent design and promising future updates — yes.

No Rest for the Wicked – Early Access Score

For me, No Rest for the Wicked is one of the biggest gaming surprises of the past few years. I strongly recommend giving it a chance, especially if any of the points above resonate with you.