Top 8 action RPGs to play while waiting for No Rest for the Wicked’s early access launch
Introduction: The Anticipation for No Rest for the Wicked
Moon Studios, renowned for their breathtaking Ori series, has taken a dramatic turn toward dark fantasy with their upcoming release No Rest for the Wicked. This marks a significant departure from their Metroidvania roots into the challenging realm of Soulslike action RPGs.
Early access begins on April 18, 2024, giving players their first taste of this gritty adventure before its full console release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Drawing clear inspiration from both Soulsborne mechanics and the political complexity of A Song of Ice and Fire, No Rest for the Wicked promises to deliver a fresh take on the action RPG formula. The transition from Ori’s beautiful platforming to this darker aesthetic demonstrates Moon Studios’ versatility as developers.
While waiting for the full release, action RPG enthusiasts have numerous excellent alternatives to explore. Each game on this list captures different aspects of what makes No Rest for the Wicked compelling, from challenging combat to rich atmospheric worlds.
Bloodborne: The Gothic Masterpiece
While many No Rest for the Wicked enthusiasts have likely experienced Bloodborne, no Soulslike recommendation list would be complete without this genre-defining masterpiece. FromSoftware’s 2015 release continues to set the standard for Gothic horror action RPGs with its impeccable world-building and combat design.
Bloodborne’s combat system emphasizes aggressive, fast-paced encounters that reward precision and timing over defensive play. The trick weapon system allows for dynamic combat transitions, while the regain mechanic encourages players to immediately counterattack after taking damage. This creates a rhythmic combat flow that feels distinctly different from traditional shield-based Souls combat.
The game’s Yharnam setting represents one of gaming’s most immersive environments, blending Victorian architecture with Lovecraftian horror elements. Each district tells a story through environmental details, from the plague-ridden streets of Central Yharnam to the academic halls of Byrgenwerth. This attention to atmospheric storytelling likely influenced No Rest for the Wicked’s own world-building approach.
Pro Tip: Master the parry system early – most human-sized enemies can be visceral attacked for massive damage after a well-timed gunshot. This skill becomes crucial against hunter NPCs and certain bosses.
Monster Hunter World: Epic Boss Battles
Moon Studios specifically cited the Monster Hunter franchise as a key inspiration for No Rest for the Wicked, particularly its emphasis on challenging boss encounters and deep combat mechanics. While Monster Hunter Rise represents the series’ latest entry, Monster Hunter World remains the community favorite for its expansive ecosystems and refined gameplay systems.
The combat in Monster Hunter World demands mastery of your chosen weapon type, with each offering dramatically different playstyles. Great Sword users must learn precise timing for true charged slashes, while Insect Glaive mains master aerial combat and extract management. This weapon diversity creates tremendous replay value and skill ceiling similar to what No Rest for the Wicked promises.
Monster Hunter World’s enduring popularity is evidenced by its consistently strong player counts years after release. The announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds for 2025 has reinvigorated the community, bringing both veterans and newcomers back to prepare for the next generation of hunting. The game’s seasonal events and ongoing support demonstrate Capcom’s commitment to long-term engagement.
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Common Mistake: Don’t ignore the botanical research center and canteen upgrades – these systems provide essential consumables that make hunts significantly easier. Proper preparation is as important as combat skill.
Mortal Shell: Indie Soulslike Excellence
As a fellow indie-developed Soulslike, Mortal Shell shares much DNA with No Rest for the Wicked in terms of atmospheric presentation and deliberate combat pacing. Both games emerged from smaller development teams aiming to capture the essence of FromSoftware’s design philosophy while adding unique mechanical twists.
Mortal Shell introduces the innovative “harden” mechanic, allowing players to temporarily turn to stone mid-action to absorb an incoming attack. This system creates strategic depth by enabling aggressive plays that would be suicidal in other Soulslikes. The shell system provides distinct character builds rather than traditional character creation, each with unique abilities and upgrade paths.
While some critics note the game’s shorter length compared to genre giants, this actually makes Mortal Shell an ideal starting point for Soulslike newcomers. The condensed experience teaches core mechanics without overwhelming players with massive, interconnected worlds. The lower difficulty curve allows players to build confidence before tackling more punishing titles.
Optimization Tip: Master the harden mechanic’s timing against each enemy type – it has different effectiveness against quick combos versus heavy attacks. Using harden to interrupt enemy attack strings can create perfect openings for counterattacks.
Diablo 4: Dark Fantasy Evolution
No Rest for the Wicked’s grimdark aesthetic and action-oriented gameplay have drawn natural comparisons to Diablo 4 since its announcement. Both games explore mature fantasy themes and feature visceral combat set against bleak, atmospheric backdrops. The isometric perspective shared by both titles creates similar tactical considerations in combat positioning.
Diablo 4’s seasonal model has experienced fluctuating player sentiment since launch, but the current climate represents one of its strongest periods. The Game Pass release brought massive influx of new players, while Season 4’s substantial gameplay overhaul addressing long-standing community complaints has generated renewed optimism. The itemization changes and endgame improvements make this an excellent time to jump in.
Each character class offers distinct playstyles that cater to different preferences, from the brute force Barbarian to the strategic Necromancer. The paragon board system provides deep customization options for advanced players, allowing for highly specialized builds that can tackle the most challenging content.
Seasonal Strategy: Complete the seasonal journey objectives systematically – they provide essential rewards and guide you through new mechanics. Don’t ignore helltide events, as they offer the best farming opportunities for mid-game gear.
Path of Exile: Free-to-Play Behemoth
Path of Exile stands as one of the most content-rich free-to-play action RPGs available, making it an accessible option for No Rest for the Wicked fans on a budget. The game casts players as exiles navigating the cursed continent of Wraeclast, fighting alongside and against fellow outcasts in a struggle for survival.
The skill gem system provides unparalleled character customization, allowing players to create unique combinations of active skills and support gems that dramatically alter gameplay. The massive passive skill tree offers nearly endless build possibilities, though newcomers should follow established guides to avoid overwhelming complexity. The game respects player intelligence with deep systems that reward theorycrafting and experimentation.
Developer Grinding Gear Games has maintained impressive support for over a decade, delivering more than 30 expansions since the 2013 launch. Despite Path of Exile 2 entering closed beta soon, the developers have committed to continuing support for both games simultaneously. This ensures that investment in learning the original’s systems won’t be wasted when the sequel launches.
Beginner Advice: Start with a league starter build guide from the community forum – these are specifically designed to function with minimal gear investment. The learning curve is steep, but following a proven build makes the initial experience much smoother.
Lies of P: Innovative Soulslike Storytelling
Lies of P earned its reputation as one of the finest non-FromSoftware Soulslikes through masterful execution of its unique premise. The game reimagines the Pinocchio story as a dark action RPG set in the plague-ravaged city of Krat, where players combat both mechanized puppets and corrupted humans.
The weapon assembly system allows for creative combat approaches by combining different blades and handles to create custom weapons with unique move sets. This flexibility enables players to tailor their arsenal to specific enemy types and personal playstyles. The legion arm provides additional tactical options, from grappling hooks to defensive shields.
The lying mechanic integrates narrative choices with gameplay consequences, affecting character interactions and ultimately determining which of multiple endings you receive. This narrative depth combined with challenging Soulslike combat creates a compelling package that respects both story and gameplay.
With confirmed DLC in development and sequel teases in the ending, NEOWIZ has established Lies of P as the beginning of a promising franchise. The success demonstrates that innovative storytelling and Soulslike mechanics can coexist beautifully.
Combat Tip: Perfect guards (parries) are essential against many bosses – practice timing against regular enemies before facing major encounters. The rally-like mechanic allows you to regain health by attacking immediately after taking damage.
Darksiders Genesis: Co-op Action Adventure
The Darksiders franchise shares No Rest for the Wicked’s thematic elements of divine conflict and apocalyptic settings, with Genesis specifically mirroring the top-down perspective. This prequel explores the early dynamic between Strife and War as they battle to prevent Lucifer from destroying humanity.
The character swapping mechanic allows solo players to experience both horsemen’s unique abilities, while co-op mode enables friends to tackle the campaign together. Strife specializes in ranged combat with his signature pistols, while War delivers devastating melee attacks with his massive sword. Learning to synergize these approaches is key to mastering the game’s challenges.
The 14-hour main campaign provides a focused experience that respects players’ time, offering substantial content without the bloat common in modern RPGs. The pacing keeps the action consistently engaging, with well-designed boss encounters and environmental puzzles breaking up combat sequences.
Co-op Strategy: Coordinate character abilities in co-op – War can draw aggro while Strife deals damage from range. The shared health pool means communication about when to use healing items is crucial for surviving tougher encounters.
Conclusion: Diverse Options for Every Player
The action RPG landscape offers tremendous variety for players anticipating No Rest for the Wicked’s release. Each title on this list captures different aspects of what makes the genre compelling, from Bloodborne’s atmospheric mastery to Path of Exile’s unparalleled depth.
Newcomers to Soulslikes may find Mortal Shell’s accessible challenge the perfect introduction, while veterans can test their skills against Lies of P’s brutal encounters. Those preferring cooperative experiences have Monster Hunter World and Darksiders Genesis, while Diablo 4 and Path of Exile cater to players who enjoy extensive character customization.
Regardless of your preference, these games will provide engaging experiences that capture the spirit of what makes No Rest for the Wicked so anticipated. Each represents the best of their respective subgenres while sharing the core principles of challenging gameplay, rich worlds, and satisfying progression systems.
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