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Way of the Passive Fist

Way of the Passive Fist is a game that continually left me wanting more and I highly recommend it.
75%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
story, grinding
78% User Score Based on 134 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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About

"Way of the Passive Fist" is a rhythm-based brawler game set on a dying planet. Use the Passive Fist technique to outlast enemies by deflecting attacks and draining their stamina. Customize your own challenge level and unleash super attacks with a filled super meter.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
Way of the Passive Fist screenshot
+2
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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews
gameplay17 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Unique gameplay that emphasizes parrying and timing, offering a fresh take on the beat 'em up genre.
  • Visually appealing with vibrant pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Adjustable difficulty settings allow players to customize their experience, making it accessible for both casual and hardcore gamers.
  • Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom, as the mechanics may feel limited over time.
  • Boss fights can be frustrating and inconsistent, often requiring specific strategies that may not be intuitive.
  • Some players may find the game lacks depth and variety in enemy design, leading to a less engaging experience.
  • gameplay
    65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Way of the Passive Fist" is characterized by its unique focus on parrying and dodging mechanics, offering a rhythm game-like experience that emphasizes timing and enemy pattern memorization. While the core mechanics are engaging and provide a satisfying challenge, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive and frustrating due to a lack of variety in enemies and mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its solid controls, deep difficulty customization, and nostalgic art style, making it a compelling choice for fans of technical beat 'em ups.

    • “With very few mechanics, this game lets you feel like an untouchable martial arts master, much more than traditional beat 'em ups.”
    • “Parrying and dodging different attack patterns depending on the enemy is an enjoyable challenge, with a good tempo that brings you into the gameplay loop and rarely breaks your focus.”
    • “The gameplay is more than just unique; it's easy to learn and hard to master, and the more you memorize the enemy patterns, the better you get at the game.”
    • “You're at the end of a fighting sequence just before a checkpoint, and then a new enemy appears whose timings you don't know; a boss introduces a mechanic that you've never encountered before and don't know how to combat; an enemy throws projectiles in such a specific way that you have to use trial-and-error to figure out the timing.”
    • “But the actual act of playing them--trudging through same-looking scenery, may-as-well-not-be-there writing, and game mechanics that even with only several active buttons to engage with still manage to feel obtuse and frustrating.”
    • “Multiple mechanics aren't explained at all, and some hitboxes are simply bullshit.”
  • music
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, while others criticize it for being generic and lacking interaction with the game's mechanics. Many players appreciate the nostalgic 90's cartoon-inspired tunes, which are memorable and well-composed, but some feel that the music does not effectively align with the rhythm of the combat, suggesting a missed opportunity for a more immersive experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is celebrated by many, there are notable calls for improvement in its variety and integration into gameplay.

    • “I am absolutely shocked at some of the negative reviews for this game; this is one of the best-designed and most creative beat-em-ups I've ever played, with a fantastic, Mad Max desertpunk aesthetic and an absolute bop of a soundtrack.”
    • “Every level comes with amazing music that gets the player hyped up.”
    • “Music: the 90's cartoon inspired soundtrack has a special place in my heart - lots of hummable tunes that have that perfect Mega Man balance between repetition and variety that leaves them stuck in your head for the rest of the day.”
    • “The background music is generic and boring, and you will notice the looping.”
    • “I at no point felt like I was moving to music.”
    • “There's no rhythm to it at all, the music is just ambient noise in the background.”
  • graphics
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant pixel art style, smooth animations, and a strong aesthetic reminiscent of classic arcade titles, particularly with a "mad max desertpunk" vibe. While some players find the visuals engaging and well-designed, others note that the repetitive nature of the gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the art and sound design contribute positively to the game's charm, appealing especially to fans of retro-style beat-em-ups.

    • “I am absolutely shocked at some of the negative reviews for this game; this is one of the best-designed and most creative beat-em-ups I've ever played, with a fantastic, Mad Max desertpunk aesthetic and an absolute bop of a soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics are colorful, detailed, and well animated, and the sound is indeed catchy.”
    • “The visuals are fantastic, the animations are smooth, and the sound design is amazing as well.”
    • “Really wanted to like this game because of the pixel art style, but there are just so many frustrating design decisions that I can't recommend it to anyone who values their time.”
    • “It's not an unreasonable position either, because outside of the art style and the gameplay, there isn't much else to really comment on.”
    • “The art style is vibrant and reminiscent of classic Konami beat-em-ups, with a very '90s cartoon vibe to it.”
  • story
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story, while not deeply complex, serves as a backdrop for engaging gameplay, featuring a wandering martial artist in a post-apocalyptic setting filled with unique enemies. Players appreciate the strong aesthetic and soundtrack, though the narrative is delivered through minimal cutscenes and dialogue, resembling a light B-movie plot. Overall, the story provides a sufficient framework for the action, but some find it repetitive and lacking in depth after completing the main mode.

    • “The story tells of a strange apocalyptic future and a mysterious wandering martial artist that must fight hordes of odd-looking enemies.”
    • “The characters are cool, the story is better thought out than the cartoons and games from which WOTPF takes its inspiration, and the abilities are fun and paced out just perfectly to have you want something new just as you master them.”
    • “The in-game story could easily pass for a matinee B-movie plot: you'll find yourself playing as the wanderer, a mysterious figure traversing the wastes of the colony planet Zircon V, looking for answers as the population begins to disappear, and maniacs roam wild and unchallenged.”
    • “I would talk about the story and the environments, but the only real thing I can say about them is that they fit the game.”
    • “A Mad Max inspired game with a cliché story; love it.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as the combat system relies heavily on blocking and countering single enemy attacks, leading to slow-paced and repetitive encounters. The presence of an XP system raises concerns about potential grinding, which could detract from the overall experience and make the gameplay feel prolonged and less engaging.

    • “Seeing 'xp' in the save file makes me wary; XP systems in beat-em-ups usually hold the game back by introducing grinding or act as a virtual difficulty selector.”
    • “Way of the Passive Fist has got an interesting hook (or would it be parry?), but its tedious nature drags things on for far too long.”
    • “It just makes the fights even more tedious than they already are.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers solid replayability, enhanced by a recent update that introduced a new campaign and addressed pacing issues in later stages. While it may lack depth in story and content, its engaging gameplay and opportunities for perfectionist challenges provide ample incentive for multiple playthroughs, despite some concerns about its price relative to its length.

    • “If I had any issue with the game, it would have been how the later stages go on a bit too long, but that issue was remedied in a previous update, which also added a new campaign to extend the game's replay value.”
    • “Doesn't take too long to beat and has high replayability.”
    • “If I had any issue with the game, it would be how the later stages go on a bit too long, but that issue was remedied in a previous update, which also added a new campaign to extend the game's replay value.”
    • “It may not have the deepest story or the most content, but it makes up for it with sheer game feel and replayability.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been criticized for its inconsistent performance, which negatively impacts trophy progression and disrupts the flow of gameplay. Players report a frustrating stuttering method of level progression that hinders a smooth and organic experience.

    • “There is seemingly no rhyme or reason to how performance reflects on trophies.”
    • “I am having trouble with the optimization of this game.”
    • “A stuttering method of level progression that constantly kills any feeling of momentum by forcing you to stop and start repeatedly instead of letting you travel organically through the level.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the pixel art is appreciated, the character design and music are considered too bland, resulting in a lack of engaging character development.

  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that the game evokes strong emotions through its engaging mechanics, particularly highlighting the thrill and satisfaction of parrying, which creates a sense of achievement and connection to iconic gaming moments.

  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its cleverly designed levels and comical bosses reminiscent of "Fist of the North Star" and "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," providing a satisfying contrast to the initial frustration players may experience. As players master the mechanics, the humor becomes a rewarding aspect of their victories.

    • “You'll rage a lot in the beginning as you learn the game's unusual mechanics, but as you improve, the rewards for succeeding are very satisfying and every victory will feel earned. The button layout on the controls is very well thought-out, and the levels are designed with hilarious bosses reminiscent of 'Fist of the North Star' or 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.'”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience.

    • “Not only is this game boring as hell, it's extremely buggy.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features no microtransactions, providing a straightforward experience without additional costs.

    • “The game has no microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in today's gaming landscape.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no hidden costs or paywalls; everything is accessible without spending extra money.”
    • “It's great to see a game that prioritizes player experience over monetization strategies.”
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71%Critics’ scoreBased on 15 critic reviews
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