Featuring Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol, the video gives us a brief overview of the history of Moon Studios, including talking about its time working under Take-Two Interactive’s indie publishing label Private Division.

“Our publisher for No Rest for the Wicked was Private Division, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive,” said Korol.

“Take-Two decided to sell off Private Division, which was unexpected news for us,” continued Mahler. “After some deliberation, we saw an opportunity.”

“After months of negotiations, we reached an agreement to buy the publishing rights for No Rest for the Wicked back, so that Moon Studios could become fully independent,” Korol explained. “This legal process took time, and we couldn’t say much while it was all happening.”

Mahler excitedly caps off the announcement by saying that “it’s all done and that Moon Studios is now fully independent.”

“We believe this will give you even more confidence in our vision, because we’re free to build No Rest for the Wicked exactly how we want, without needing to ever go silent again.”

The duo then go on to talk about the new feature for No Rest for the Wicked in the form of The Breach. Korol describes The Breach as the biggest content update for No Rest for the Wicked so far.

“We heard you loud and clear,” said Korol. “You wanted more out of our campaign. You wanted more story, more zones to play in, more enemies to fight, more bosses to test your mettle against. In short, more of everything. And that is exactly what we have been focusing on.”

With the update, the story of No Rest for the Wicked will pick up right where it left off, after Ellsworth returns to Sacrament. The relationship between Ellsworth and his daughter Odessa is also explored, with Ellsworth helping Odessa escape from her imprisonment.

The Breach will feature new zones for players to explore, and the developers have said that, with this update, the size of the game’s world is essentially being doubled. Among the zones are the Lowland Meadows, which will also feature new enemies.

The update will also brings with it new weapons in the form of Gauntlets and Wands. The Gauntlet even brings with it a host of pro-wrestling moves, like a suplex and a dropkick, along with its more fisticuffs-based moveset.

No Rest for the Wicked is available as an Early Access title on PC. Once it exits Early Access, the game is also slated for release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. In the meantime, check out our review of the game from back when it first came out. And check out details of other content that has been added to the game through free updates.

Thomas Mahler – director on both Metroidvania hits and co-founder and CEO of developer Moon Studios – recently took to Twitter on the occasion of Ori and the Blind Forest’s 10th anniversary, and commemorated the occasion by revealing that the series has collectively sold over 15 million units worldwide across all platforms. It’s worth noting that these are sales figures, not player numbers, which means these numbers don’t account for players who jumped in via Game Pass.

Interestingly, this is the first time sales figures have been officially revealed for the Ori series. Back in 2020, it was announced that Ori and the Will of the Wisps had crossed 2.8 million players, while neither Microsoft nor Moon Studios have ever shared any specific numbers for Blind Forest.

The Ori series is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In other amazing news:

The Ori series has now sold more than 15 Million copies.

Not too shabby for a Metroidvania and a genre we were told is dead when we started to work on it! 👍😂

So thank you to everyone who supported us so far – MUCH LOVE! ❤️

— thomasmahler (@thomasmahler) March 11, 2025

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Re-writing the rulebook of its already wildly creative, ultra-successful predecessor Breath of the Wild was no easy task for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom but this sequel is proof that lightning can strike twice. A vertically expanded Hyrule, deeper combat, and bold additions in the shape of the new Zonai devices gave fresh power to twist and mould practically any object which takes Link’s fancy. A towering achievement on Nintendo’s aging console.

15. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

The most immediately stunning aspect of Space Marine 2 is the gobsmackingly large swarms of enemies. Tyranid swarms are brilliantly realized here, with dynamic animations and a good amount of rendering detail even from far distances. This is all thanks to the proprietary graphics engine that Saber Interactive uses, aptly named the Swarm Engine. Seeing a giant swarm of enemies coming at you from miles away has never felt more amazing; more broadly, the Warhammer 40K universe has never been so beautifully realized than with Space Marine 2.

PORTAL 2

With a main story about 8-9 hours long, Portal 2 is nearly thrice as long as its predecessor, but just like its predecessor, feels like the perfect length. Valve’s ingenious puzzler sequel throws in plenty of new mechanics and design ideas on top of the first game’s foundations, and over the course of its meticulously chiseled runtime, gets absolutely everything out of all of its best ideas.

“I have a title for it already,” said Mahler in the interview. “I have some ideas, but so far, right now, we are completely focused on No Rest for the Wicked for the time being.”

In the same interview, studio co-founder Gennadiy Korol also spoke about the Ori franchise, saying that the studio was “pretty happy with where it left off.” Korol went on to say that Ori 3 would only really be possible if the studio could come up with more of a story.

“I think we were able to complete the story of Ori,” said Korol. “It’s a complete arc now; if you play both games, it’s a complete story. So it felt like the only way we would come back to Ori 3 is if we have more to say, more story to tell.”

Moon Studios is currently at work on its upcoming title, No Rest for the Wicked. The game, an action RPG, has been described by Mahler as a “make or break moment” for the studio. Mahler has also drawn some comparisons with other titles, referring to Ori as the studio’s equivalent to Mario, and No Rest for the Wicked as its Zelda.

No Rest for the Wicked was officially unveiled back in February, and will be hitting Steam Early Access on April 18. Some of the planned content for the game was revealed back in March, and includes features like farming and multiplayer.

Taking to Twitter, Mahler recently revealed that the Ori games have collectively sold “around” 10 million units to date, which he says “probably makes it the most successful Metroidvania series ever made” (if not, it’s definitely up there as one of them). Considering the fact that both Ori titles are also available via Game Pass, its sales are doubly impressive, while its total player base is also bound to be markedly higher than its total sales count.

Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps are both available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Moon Studios’ next game, action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, will launch in early access on Steam on April 18.

https://twitter.com/thomasmahler/status/1766818864069751139

Starfield

Starfield is Bethesda’s newest IP in over 25 years, and it’s a testament to the developer’s amazing world-building chops. The NASA-Punk designs on offer look really amazing, but Starfield isn’t just shown without substance. You get to explore a massive space world inhabited by different cultures and factions, and you get to take on a wide variety of well-written quests that twist and turn based on your choices. Add to that some massive improvements in combat, and Starfield becomes a really tantalizing experience. 

Dead Space

Dead Space is one of the best survival horror games of all time, and the popularity of the recently released remake is a testament to the timelessness of this classic. The protagonist’s journey through the foggy and claustrophobic compartments of USG Ishimura is brimming with ferocious Necromorphs waiting to maul you at every instance of reckless behavior. Between a brutal gameplay loop and ominous atmosphere, Dead Space is an impressive survival horror game that’s just as fresh as it was more than a decade ago.

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West is a game that takes what worked in the original, and expands upon those concepts in new and interesting ways. Forbidden West thrusts players into a beautiful open-world brimming with both beauty and suffering, and you must do everything in your power to free the world from the titular Corruption that’s raging in full force. The gameplay also features key improvements like expanded mobility options and better platforming, which makes for a worthy sequel.

Ori And The Will of the Wisps

Moon Studios delivered an excellent platformer with Ori and the Will of the Wisps, a game that does a good job of combining a fantasy style story with a smooth-flowing combat loop. The game takes you through a bunch of wonderfully well-realized locales, and what makes it so special is the excellent understanding of when to dish out new powers and new kinds of obstacles – which makes the progression and gameplay loop surprisingly addictive for a single-player game.

Resident Evil 2 Remake

Resident Evil 2 stands tall as one of the best and most important survival horror games in history, and Resident Evil 2 Remake does an excellent job of taking those ideas and presenting them in a way that today’s audience will definitely appreciate. The myriad of visual improvements and gameplay overhauls really bring out the best in Resident Evil 2, and it’s a constantly thrilling experience with a rich atmosphere and brutal gameplay.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a heart-wrenching tale about the gradual fall of the Van Der Linde gang as law and order start to rapidly penetrate the Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the best writing that we have seen in gaming, and it presents it all with some stunning attention to detail. The world is brimming with different quests to undertake and things to do – and you could spend dozens upon dozens of hours wandering aimlessly and just soaking in the sunsets.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a wonderfully imaginative game that’s entirely based upon using your magical hat to take control of objects in the world and cross all kinds of obstacles in the many sandbox levels. The mechanics and level designs are top-notch, and Odyssey does a great job of inducing a big grin on your face as you hop and glide through these platforming jungle gyms.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves might just be the best rendition of a non-stop action movie in video game form. Nathan’s journey to finding the coveted Chintamani stone is punctuated with all sorts of whacky set-piece sequences and frenetic gunfights, and the accompanying story also manages to tug at the heart’s strings without compromising on the signature pompous thrill of the series. 

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a game that was well and truly ahead of its time. The narrative tackled heavy themes such as the effects of information misspread and the power of social media long before any of these things had much value in the world, and it’s all accompanied by a strong foundation of gameplay ideas that beautifully work together with one another. And then, of course, you also have a sizable portion of memorable boss fights that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Set against the monster-infested fantasy world of Continent, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is all about adventuring your way through its many areas in the hopes of finding the whereabouts of Ciri. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game with a complex web of mechanics and systems that intertwine with each other to create something that’s truly wonderful. Add to that a bevy of diverse and engaging content on offer, and Wild Hunt becomes a truly spectacular experience.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the highest-selling video games of all time, and it’s the most profitable entertainment product in all of history – and those records should alone tell you about the game and its massive popularity. Grand Theft Auto 5 dumps you into a beautiful world inhabited by all sorts of colorful personalities, and tasks you to take on daring heist missions or just carve out your own fun in this wondrous sandbox. It’s a game that puts fun at the epicenter of its designs, which makes the final product so much more addictive than its peers.

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas might just be the most influential game of the PS2 generation, and for good reason. Rockstar provided a significant bump in quality over Vice City, incorporating multiple open cities to explore, activities to pursue, and a buffet of mission types to choose from. San Andreas was unlike anything we had ever experienced before, and despite a few obvious cracks – it remains a highly enjoyable game to this date.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto 4 tells the story of Niko exacting a long awaited revenge on an enemy while coming to grips with the frailties of living your dream. It’s a compelling story that expertly juggles some heavy themes with the signature humor of the series, and the bevy of gameplay improvements like combat and mission designs haven’t gone unnoticed by fans. Grand Theft Auto 4 is an underrated classic, and deserves a lot more credit and appreciation than it gets.

Red Dead Redemption 1

Yet another one of Rockstar’s works on this list, Red Dead Redemption puts players in the shoes of former Van Der Linde gang member John Marston as he tries to earn his long-due redemption by working for lawful authorities. The Wild West setting marked a fresh change of pace from the bustling metropolitans that we saw in the Grand Theft Auto games, and it’s all brought to life with plentiful attention to detail in aspects ranging from horse riding to mission designs and so much more. 

Far Cry 3

2012’s Far Cry 3 was an incredibly successful venture for the open world genre, and a lot of that could be attributed to the excellent combination of a strong story and an open-ended gameplay loop that’s entirely based on systemic game design. Far Cry 3 takes you from one thrilling mission to the next, and you can spend a ton of time just roaming around the open-world, hunting prey for a fancy piece of equipment or taking on enemy encampments in creative ways.

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is a massive space opera where you take control of Commander Shepard and his crew as they embark on dangerous missions across the galaxy. Mass Effect 2’s set of missions and the accompanying story is arguably the peak representation of the genre – which makes it worthy of being on this list.

Gears of War 3

Gears of War 3 combines an entertaining story with its action-packed cover shooting gameplay – which results in a high-octane experience that’s just hard to put down. Released in 2011, the game was supposed to be an end to the original trilogy – and the developers made sure that it all went down in style. This entry features some of the best firefights in the series, which makes it really hard to put down once you get the hang of it. 

Half-Life 2

Much like Alan Wake 2, Half-Life 2 is the sequel that truly showcased the capabilities of the original game. The story of Gordon Freeman taking charge of forming an uprising against the Combine is punctuated with plenty of set-piece moments, and the many physics-based puzzles that pepper the story were ahead of their time. It’s possible that you might notice some pacing issues when comparing it to more break-neck modern titles, but Half-Life 2 holds up surprisingly well even after all these years.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 doubles the action and the fun by letting you switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales at the flip of a button. It’s a sequel that knows what works within the context of the franchise, and does everything in its right to make the adventure a grandiose one that’s filled to the brim with interesting boss fights and a myriad of main missions that should keep you busy for hours on end.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne thrusts players into a wondrous world that feels like the embodiment of your worst nightmares, and tasks you to trudge through labyrinthian levels that continue to get increasingly brutal with new kinds of enemies and obstacles. The combat dares you to get up close and aggressively push back against enemies, but being reckless with your actions will get you nowhere. 

Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Fumito Ueda is a master of creating games that have a strong foundation of core gameplay ideas, and those merits shine extremely brightly in his original 2005 PlayStation 2’s release of Shadow of the Colossus. It tells a surprisingly emotional story about a boy tracking down Colossi to bring a girl back to life, and each of the sixteen boss fights has been meticulously constructed with great attention to detail making it a truly special experience. 

Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City took Batman from the claustrophobic corridors of Arkham Asylum to the large open expanse of Arkham City. The story features plenty of different villains from Gotham’s Rogues gallery, and it’s all stitched beautifully through some amazing gameplay sequences and an open world that’s just an absolute joy to explore.

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Splinter Cell stands tall as one of the most prestigious stealth action franchises of all time, and Chaos Theory might just be the peak experience that it has to offer. The level designs are varied and require players to be thoughtful of each and every action they take, and the feeling of sneaking right past enemy guards in pitch-black corridors is just something truly special. Chaos Theory might be dated in some aspects, but it’s still a game that’s worth playing and worth appreciating to this date.

Alan Wake 2

The original Alan Wake was an inventive action horror game that had a unique setting and featured some impressive mechanics, but it’s Alan Wake 2 that does the needful changes and additions to fully realize the potential of the original game. Remedy’s excellent gameplay mechanics shine brightly, and the Northlight Engine does a wonderful job of presenting it all with astonishing attention to detail. It’s really hard to describe Alan Wake 2’s merits without spoiling it, so be sure to check it out.

God of War: Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok is an excellent culmination of the narrative that kickstarter with God of War 2018, and it’s a conclusion that’s well worth the massive journey. Ragnarok amps up the narrative’s emotional and action elements by eleven, and the gameplay has also seen iterative yet appreciated changes that make the end product a worthy sequel and one of the most impressive action-adventure games of all time. Once you are done with the campaign you can jump into the game’s rogue like mode which will add more hours to your gameplay.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a game that takes you through an unforgettable journey through The Lands Between. It truly feels like everything the Souls genre has been building towards, and Elden Ring features best-in-class combat customization, a vast open-world peppered with valuable secrets, and large labyrinthian levels where every room tells its own story. It’s a brutal game that asks a lot from the player, but investing something here will yield some intangible rewards that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is exactly what a massive adventure through a fantastical kingdom feels like. Set against the backdrop of a challenging setting, Baldur’s Gate 3 presents a barrage of gripping moments where you get to meet a bunch of characters from all walks of life – and go on massive treks and come across intimidating encounters. The gameplay is highly dynamic despite it being turn based, and it’s all executed at such a massive scale that it almost feels surreal.

Final Fantasy 16

To say that Final Fantasy 16 is one of the best games in this long-running genre would undoubtedly be a bold statement, but it’s not without its reasons. Final Fantasy 16’s action hack-and-slash game just fits the bill, and what we get is a game where the setting strongly resonates with the fast and frenetic gameplay – making for a tightly designed experience where everything beautifully meshes with one another.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo’s Super Mario offerings continue to be extremely enjoyable adventures for decades at this point, and a lot of that can be attributed to the constant evolution of the game’s level designs and the addition of new kinds of obstacles with each new release. Super Mario Bros. Wonder represents the latest in the line of long-running platformers, and it features a bevy of new obstacles ranging from dangerous level geometry to power-ups that turn Mario into a gargantuan elephant and much more. 

Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an important release not only for the open-world genre but for single-player games as well. It’s a game that delivers thanks to player freedom and curiosity which is at the forefront of every mechanic. Tears of the Kingdom is a game that is just hard to put down once you start playing it. 

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons comes from Josef Fares, the mastermind behind popular co-op games like A Way Out and It Takes Two. The game tells a heartwarming story about two brothers working together through a vast world, and the mechanics do a good job of encouraging synergies between the player in new and interesting ways. Between this and the charming art style on offer, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons becomes a great game to play with a loved one.

Back 4 Blood

Turtle Rock Studios’ Back 4 Blood is a glorious tribute to Valve’s Left 4 Dead series, and while it definitely has a few flaws – that doesn’t detract from the fact that it is a really fun time with friends. There are plenty of enemy types and the encounters do a good job of mixing things up on a consistent basis, which makes it a consistently enjoyable experience that’s even better with friends.