Moon Studios, renowned for the critically acclaimed Ori series, is facing uncertainty due to the mixed reception of its new action RPG, No Rest for the Wicked. Despite the studio's stellar reputation, the game's performance in Steam Early Access has led to a stark warning from founder Thomas Mahler.

The studio gained widespread acclaim with Ori and the Blind Forest (2015) and Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020), praised for their stunning visuals, captivating music, and engaging gameplay. No Rest for the Wicked, released last year, marks Moon Studios' first venture into the action RPG genre. Currently available only in Steam Early Access, the game's reception has raised concerns about its future and the studio's stability.

No Rest for the Wicked initially received "Mixed" reviews on Steam, with players criticizing its high difficulty, unclear mechanics, and grindy progression. In response, Mahler stated on the game's Discord server that persistent negative reviews could jeopardize not only the game's full release but also Moon Studios' existence. "If you want to see us complete No Rest for the Wicked, it's crucial that we improve the review score," he said, warning that review bombing might force the studio to shut down within months.

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Mahler later clarified on Twitter that Moon Studios is not in immediate financial trouble and explained that his earlier comments were aimed at addressing what he perceived as politically motivated reviews. However, his Discord post acknowledged the risks of Early Access when player expectations aren't met. "We took significant risks to regain publishing rights," Mahler said, referring to Moon Studios' acquisition of full control over No Rest for the Wicked from former publisher Take-Two Interactive earlier this year. He emphasized that while players use negative reviews as feedback, this approach can be harmful, as the studio actively monitors player input.

Following these developments, No Rest for the Wicked's Steam rating has improved to "Mostly Positive," with over 6,900 recent reviews contributing to a total of more than 34,400. This shift suggests that Mahler's remarks encouraged fans to share positive experiences. Last month, the game received its largest update, The Breach, which expanded the world significantly and introduced over 11,000 changes.