This game was reviewed using the Allied Stinger-A: RTX 4060 Ti 8GB Gaming PC.
Have you ever been really hyped to play a game only to be skill-checked so hard that you never want to play a game in the genre again? No Rest For The Wicked did that to me — but after 12 hours exploring the world around Sacrament, I’m so glad I persevered.
I’m no souls gamer, but god damn this game is hard. I’m confident in saying it’s more difficult than Elden Ring (is that even comparable?), as I could at least defeat some bosses in that game without pulling too much of my hair out.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve now fallen in love with No Rest For the Wicked, and greatly appreciate its world, but if you’re looking for a casual RPG adventure — look away now.
Developed by Moon Studios, the team that brought us Ori: Will of the Wisps (which I adored), No Rest for the Wicked is a different kettle of fish.
Set in the year 841, where the death of King Harol causes turmoil as his inexperienced son Magnus takes the throne, a deadly plague known as the Pestilence reemerges after a thousand years, corrupting the land. You play as a Cerim, a holy warrior with special powers, on a quest to defeat the Pestilence and cleanse the kingdom.
READ MORE: Review | Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Xbox Series X)
You’ll get to fully customise your character, unique body shape and all, and embark on this quest through Isola Sacra, a troubled region filled with ruins, fierce enemies, and powerful bosses – I don’t stay that lightly.
Enemies are brutal, bosses are brutaler.
After washing up on an island and scavenging for gear, fighting my way through strong groups of enemies that could easily kill me in two swipes, I reached a major game point: my first boss fight.
Holy shit… I was taken off guard. I was feet up on my desk by this point and this boss made me sit up, lean in, and subsequently cry for an hour while I tried to defeat him.
After my victory, I felt like giving up. If every boss was going to be like this I didn’t want to be part of it. Why was this game so torturous? Who enjoys this!?
Thankfully, I persevered.
With every big fight going forward, I’d grown stronger, slowly acquired better gear, and started to get into a groove. Though combat is tough, like with any soulslike, blocking, countering, and dodging are your best friends. The small parry window and the constant drain on your stamina make battles intense and challenging.
The game offers a diverse range of weapons, from swords and daggers to axes and staffs. Every armor piece has weight, and depending on your stats, you’ll only be able to wear so much. I found a good helmet, but couldn’t wear my ideal body armor with it at the same time. I had to opt for a slightly lower stat armor piece instead. It was a trade-off, but I appreciate that sort of technicality.
READ MORE: Review | Vampire Survivors: Operation Guns DLC (PC)
One of the most satisfying aspects of combat is sneaking up on enemies and executing a silent takedown with a single blade move — you can almost always take out an enemy in one hit. These moments add a tactical layer to the game’s fast-paced action and feel incredibly rewarding.
Stunning and Accessible Environments
No Rest for the Wicked shines with stunning visual design, reminiscent of a graphic novel. The dark hand-painted art style perfectly complements the somber tone of the world. The attention to detail helps bring each location to life, making exploration a treat for the eyes. Additionally, the game offers widescreen support on PC, which allowed me to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery.
READ MORE: Review | Indika ‘The Devil Is In The Detail’ (PC)
Traversal felt unnatural at first — can I really climb that wall? Can I sidle across that gap? Turns out you can, and I quickly learned to accept that you can explore and navigate the environment with ease. I found some incredible areas by simply pushing the boundaries… And also found some off-the-map/fall-through-the-floor areas.
Should you play No Rest for the Wicked in early access?
I rewrote this piece three times as my opinion on it changed rapidly as the journey went on. It’s certainly not for everyone. The game’s punishing difficulty and intricate mechanics can be daunting, but for those who enjoy a deep, challenging adventure with a richly detailed world, it’s well worth the effort. From what I’ve played in early access, I’d happily recommend it to any lover of adventure and punishing combat games.
A copy of No Rest For The Wicked was supplied to Quest Daily by the publisher for the purpose of this article.
