Summary
After wowing Metroidvania fans with two of the most beloved modern titles in the subgenre, Moon Studios' newest gameNo Rest for the Wickedis charting new territory for the developer as its first foray into the realm of ARPGs. In just the short time sinceNo Rest for the Wicked’s early access period began on Steam, the title is already racking up impressive player counts and plenty of feedback (both positive and negative) to contribute to the title’s continued evolution as it marches toward its eventual 1.0 release date. And while early impressions of the title drew some comparison to Blizzard’sDiablo 4,No Rest for the Wickeddefinitively charts its own course as an ARPG.
There are some obvious similarities betweenDiablo 4andNo Rest for the Wickedas both games are ARPGs utilizing an isometric perspective and plenty of collectible loot to enhance player builds. Beyond those surface-level comparisons, though,No Rest for the Wickedseparates itself from other genre contemporaries via its incorporation of some Soulslike elements and emphasis on a surprising integration of survival gameplay and crafting. Much liketheOrigamesbefore it, Moon Studios is putting a decidedly unique spin on a classic subgenre withNo Rest for the Wicked.
Stat Allocation and No Distinct Classes Create a Gulf Between Diablo 4 and No Rest for the Wicked
Although bothDiablo 4andNo Rest for the Wickedfit squarely within the ARPG subgenre, the way the two games go about handling classes and character progression couldn’t be more different. Since its inception, theDiabloseries has traditionally hinged on selecting one of several distinct classes that each have pros and cons in terms of their progression, balance, and abilities, resulting in a fairly complex meta in the series' best entries that gives way to a wide variety of powerful builds and skill trees. Conversely,No Rest for the Wickedgives players a blank slate after creating their character to do with them as they please.
Similar to classic CRPGs or evenFromSoftware’sSoulsgames, players work with purely raw stats and gear inNo Rest for the Wicked, which ultimately gives them more freedom in how they build out a character. Leveling up provides three stat points that can be allocated into one of eight different attributes, and these attributes affect both the character’s composition and how weapons and armor scale. Interestingly,No Rest for the Wickeddifferentiates itself from almost every other ARPG by not including an option for a purely magic-focused build and instead places an emphasis on melee, at least in the early game and depending on what RNG loot players find.
Combat and Crafting Give No Rest for the Wicked a Unique Place Among ARPGs
Combat is another area whereNo Rest for the Wickedstakes out a unique niche within the ARPG subgenre, as it’s much slower-paced and more methodical in comparison to the occasionally frantichack-‘n-slash actionofDiablo. WhereDiablogames rely on trying to overwhelm the player through the sheer volume of threats on screen,No Rest for the Wicked’s encounters most often boil down to encounters where observation of enemy movements, parrying, and dodging are paramount.
While it’s not technically a Soulslike,No Rest for the Wicked’s combat shares many similarities with its precision-oriented gameplay.
Another surprising addition to proceedings isNo Rest for the Wicked’s crafting and upgrade systems, which results in resource collection and scavenging becoming as integral to the experience as it is in many survival games.Diablo 4features plenty of collectible resources that are essential to the endgame grind and min-maxing builds, butNo Rest for the Wicked’s crafting and resource collectionare a systematic part of each of its gameplay mechanics, to where even basic functions like healing are governed by them. Even in its early access period,No Rest for the Wickedshows plenty of promise in how it will stand out from its contemporaries.
No Rest for the Wicked
WHERE TO PLAY
From Moon Studios, the award-winning developers of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps comes No Rest for the Wicked, a visceral, precision Action RPG set to reinvent the genre.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.These forces converge on the backwater Isola Sacra, where rebel groups and the provincial government fight for control amid the isle’s crumbling ruins.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. 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.
