Moon Studios, the celebrated developer of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has sparked concern among fans after revealing that its future may be in jeopardy due to the lukewarm reception of its latest title, No Rest for the Wicked.
The studio’s new action RPG, which launched in Steam Early Access, currently holds a “Mixed” review score. Players have pointed out several issues including a steep difficulty curve, unclear mechanics, and a progression system that feels overly grind-heavy. This feedback has led to a wave of critical responses on Steam.
In a candid statement on the game’s official Discord server, Moon Studios co-founder Thomas Mahler warned that persistent negative reviews could endanger not only the game’s completion but the studio’s viability. “If you want to see us actually finish No Rest for the Wicked, it’s detrimental that we get that review score back up,” Mahler wrote, going as far as to say that review bombing could cause the studio to close within months.
The alarmed reaction from the gaming community prompted Mahler to later clarify his comments on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Moon Studios is not in “immediate financial danger” and explaining his remarks were meant to criticize what he called politically motivated reviews. He emphasized that the studio is actively listening to player feedback and refining the game accordingly.
Moon Studios made a bold move earlier this year by acquiring full publishing rights to No Rest for the Wicked from Take-Two Interactive, assuming full financial and creative control. Mahler acknowledged this decision involved “enormous risks,” and that the early access model—while valuable for feedback—can backfire if expectations aren’t aligned.
While Mahler’s Twitter clarification tempered the urgency of his Discord comments, the situation has highlighted the precarious reality facing indie developers in today’s volatile gaming landscape. Fans of Moon Studios are rallying online in hopes the studio can weather the storm and deliver on the vision of No Rest for the Wicked.
As of now, the game remains in active development, and Mahler reassures fans that the team is committed to improving the experience. However, the pressure is on for Moon Studios to turn the tide—before it’s too late.