No Rest for the Wicked

No Rest for the Wicked is an ambitious early access ARPG that blends souls-like combat with Diablo-style loot and crafting systems. Players praise its striking art style, immersive world-building, and challenging, weighty combat mechanics. The game offers a rich, painterly aesthetic with atmospheric audio and compelling storytelling that engages players for 40+ hours even in its unfinished state. The developers are highly active and responsive, frequently updating and refining gameplay based on community feedback.

However, the game currently suffers from several design and technical issues. Time-gated crafting and upgrade mechanics, real-time enemy and loot respawns, and daily quests introduce mobile-like restrictions that frustrate players expecting a traditional single-player experience. The locked camera, clunky mouse and keyboard controls, and occasional performance problems (especially on Steam Deck) also detract from enjoyment. Some players find the loot and stat systems unbalanced and progression grindy. Despite these flaws, the game’s core gameplay loop and unique world make it a promising title with great potential upon full release.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game’s beautiful, unique art style and atmospheric world design that evokes a living oil painting. The combat is described as weighty, skillful, and rewarding, blending souls-like mechanics with ARPG elements. Many appreciate the engaging story and voice acting, as well as the deep customization and build variety. Level design is lauded for its interlocking pathways and rewarding exploration. The developers’ transparency and responsiveness to feedback are also highlighted as strong positives. Overall, the game is seen as a fresh and innovative take on the genre that captivates players despite being in early access.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on time-gated mechanics and real-time waiting periods for crafting, upgrades, and vendor refreshes, which feel out of place in a single-player game and resemble mobile game restrictions. The loot and stat systems are sometimes unbalanced and grind-heavy, diminishing the sense of progression. Camera limitations and clunky mouse/keyboard controls make stealth and platforming frustrating. Performance issues, including lag, stuttering, and crashes on various platforms, also hamper the experience. Some players find exploration tedious due to confusing level layouts and forced backtracking. Difficulty spikes and unclear parry mechanics add to player frustration. Overall, many hope for polish and quality-of-life improvements before full release.