No Rest For The Wicked delivers new details Including when its early access begins

Moon Studios and publisher Private Division hosted a deep look into No Rest for the Wicked, the upcoming title from the folks behind Ori, that combines the perspective of Diablo, but mixes in a little Dark Souls.

The first big news from the event is that the game will launch into Early Access on PC, this April 19, that is roughly six weeks away. As of now we know a little about the content coming at launch, but we also know the first two updates main focus, even if there is no date for them yet, as you can see via the roadmap below.

Of course, the video at the bottom of the story is where all of the details are, so you should give it a watch as you also get to see gameplay, but the team at Moon Studios have also released a text recap, which is below for you if you prefer to read. This recap has been adjusted to correct the spelling of certain words, but other than that is the same as was provided.

A Story of Politics and Plague

The year is 841 - King Harol is dead. Rumours begin to emerge about the return of a great plague known as the Pestilence. You are a Cerim, a member of an ancient sect devoted to vanquishing the plague. Called to investigate these rumours, you board a merchant ship to the backwater Isola Sacra. While en route, a rebel group known as the Risen seizes the ship - leaving it wrecked as it collides into the island’s rocks. Washed up on the shores of Isola Sacra, you wake up naked and unarmed. As you find your bearings, you end up caught between a vast political struggle and a fight for survival.

A Hand-Crafted World

Isola Sacra is a living, breathing world that has been painstakingly hand-crafted. Traverse through vibrant, seamless, interactive environments: if something looks climbable, it is, if an object is too thin to walk over, you may just need to balance your way across. Each step, climb, and jump should be intentional. We’ve abandoned the traditional point-and-click in favor of a WASD or controller control scheme. Searching every inch may prove fruitful, revealing secret areas and loot.

Sacra is everchanging. Return to previously explored areas to find new threats to tackle and resources to scavenge. Each time you visit a region, a drastically different experience will be waiting.

Play Your Way

No Rest for the Wicked uses a soft class system, meaning priority is on weapons rather than picking a specific class/role. Leveling up earns stat points that you can put into: HP, intelligence, dexterity, strength, and stamina. Stats like intelligence, dexterity, and strength can directly make weapon types more powerful. We want players to be able to create any build imaginable - even ones we haven’t thought of!

Devastating Combat

With our animation-driven combat system, attacks should be planned and deliberate. To overcome opponents, watch for telegraphed behaviours and the opportune moment to strike. Parry incoming blows that put enemies into a temporary weakened state. Movement and timing are also important. Your movement speed determines the dodge action and don’t fret, all have invincibility frames:

For the fast and light on their feet, quickstep out of the way of incoming attacks.
For those who go at a balanced, measured speed, dodge roll to evade.
For the slow-and-mighty, while more susceptible to attacks due to a slower dodge animation, can counteract by shoulder bashing enemies.

Weapons are unique, no two are alike. Each weapon has its own stance, can have affixes, and can be optimized by various vendors to suit your needs. Imbue them with runes that add additional effects! In combat, weapons are an extension of your body - timing, spacing, weight, and movement must work in harmony.

Rebuild What Has Been Lost

Along your journey you’ll come across Sacrament, the capital of Isola Sacra. A war-torn place, but you can help restore it to its former glory. Make the town your own by purchasing property and decorating it to your heart’s content. With a range of purchasable properties and a gridless interior design system, create a unique place to call home. Fish on the shores, fell trees, mine ore, and more. These resources can be used to craft new gear, meals, home furniture, or even make improvements to Sacrament.

You are in control of how Sacrament evolves.

There is no release date for the full game, but as most titles have at least a year in Early Access, a full release in 2025 is quite likely.