Way of the Passive Fist

Way of the Passive Fist is a game that continually left me wanting more and I highly recommend it.

74%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

story, replayability

78% User Score Based on 141 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

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About

Way of the Passive Fist is a single player arcade hack and slash game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Household Games and was released on March 7, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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

Single-Player

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78%

Audience ScoreBased on 141 reviews

gameplay19 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Unique and inventive take on the classic beat 'em up formula, focusing on defense rather than aggression.
Highly customizable difficulty settings allow players to tailor their experience, making it accessible for newcomers and challenging for veterans.
Striking visuals and a vibrant soundtrack enhance the overall atmosphere, evoking nostalgia while providing a fresh experience.

Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom, as the core mechanics may feel limited over time.
Boss fights can be frustrating due to their reliance on specific mechanics that may not align with the game's overall design.
Environmental hazards and unclear hit detection can lead to unfair moments, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
4%
The gameplay of "Way of the Passive Fist" is characterized by its simple yet satisfying mechanics, focusing on parrying and dodging rather than traditional combos, which creates a rhythm game-like experience. While the core mechanics are engaging and offer a nostalgic feel, they can become repetitive due to limited enemy variety and a reliance on memorization of attack patterns. The game features a modular difficulty system and encourages mastery through its challenging boss encounters, making it appealing for players who enjoy technical gameplay experiences.
- “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.”
- “Boss encounters are where the game’s systems truly shine, forcing players to juggle multiple mechanics while maintaining their timing under pressure.”
- “Way of the Passive Fist is a beat 'em up sidescroller that is based on defensive mechanics.”
- “The actual act of playing them feels obtuse and frustrating, trudging through same-looking scenery and game mechanics that, even with only several active buttons to engage with, still manage to feel cumbersome.”
- “Multiple mechanics aren't explained at all, and some hitboxes are simply unfair.”
- “While the main mechanic of the game shines when it's doing its thing, adding other gimmicks like stage hazards and boss mechanics that require a specific move can be a bummer.”
music
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
31%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and nostalgic 90s-inspired soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some players find the music engaging and well-suited to the combat mechanics, others criticize it for being generic or lacking interaction with the gameplay, suggesting that a more rhythm-focused approach could have improved the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to evoke strong emotions and complement the game's aesthetic, though opinions vary on its execution and memorability.
- “The game's focus on timing and rhythm gives combat an almost musical quality—each encounter becomes a dance of defense, where success depends on reading the opponent’s tempo and keeping your own composure under pressure.”
- “The soundtrack matches this tone perfectly—energetic synths and guitar riffs punctuate every encounter, driving the tension of combat and underscoring the desolation of the world.”
- “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.”
- “The game's soundtrack is pretty meh, and doesn't interact with the fight on a mechanical level (as in, fighting or walking around are different, static tracks).”
- “There's no rhythm to it at all; the music is just ambient noise in the background.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
46%
11%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant pixel art style, evoking a nostalgic 90s aesthetic reminiscent of classic beat-em-ups and infused with a unique Mad Max-inspired desertpunk vibe. Players appreciate the colorful and detailed visuals, smooth animations, and strong art direction, which contribute to an engaging overall experience, despite some criticism regarding repetitive gameplay and design choices. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's retro yet modern feel.
- “Its striking visuals, bold soundtrack, and unique mechanics coalesce into an experience that feels at once retro and modern, nostalgic and innovative.”
- “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 visuals and limited actions can get a bit repetitive (although perhaps that's part of the old-school arcade charm), but if you want to see how well you can fill the sandy shoes of an untouchable martial artist after the apocalypse, then definitely give this game a try!”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
65%
21%
The story is a light, B-movie-inspired narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players control a mysterious wanderer navigating the dangers of a colony planet. While the plot may lack depth, it effectively serves as a backdrop for engaging gameplay and unique enemies, complemented by strong aesthetics and a vibrant soundtrack. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and imprecise mechanics, the overall experience is enjoyable, with a focus on replayability and character-driven action.
- “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.”
- “The story tells of a strange apocalyptic future and a mysterious wandering martial artist that must fight hordes of odd-looking enemies.”
- “A Mad Max inspired game with a cliché story; love it.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The game offers strong replayability, particularly for players interested in scoring and perfectionist challenges, despite its relatively short playtime. Recent updates have added new campaigns, enhancing its replay value, although some players feel the price may be high for a game that can be completed in one sitting. Overall, the engaging gamefeel compensates for a lack of depth in story and content.
- “If I had any issue with the game, it would have been how the later stages would 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 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.”
- “It may not have the deepest story or the most content, but it makes up for it with sheer game feel and replayability.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Players note that "Way of the Passive Fist" lacks traditional grinding, as experience points are awarded at the end of each stage based on performance ratings. However, the combat system, which focuses on blocking and countering against single enemies, can feel slow and tedious, leading to concerns that the game's pacing and mechanics may detract from the overall experience.
- “There is no grinding; XP is obtained at the end of each stage, at which point the rating (bronze, silver, or gold) awards you a fixed amount of XP.”
- “It just makes the fights even more tedious than they already are.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its impressive art, animation, and music, all of which contribute to an immersive and engaging experience.
- “The game features stunning art, captivating animation, and an incredible soundtrack that all contribute to its immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, with every element from the visuals to the music enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The combination of art, animation, and music creates a rich atmosphere that draws you into the game world.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features no microtransactions, providing a straightforward experience without additional costs.
- “There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience feel fair and enjoyable.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure players into spending money on extras.”
- “The absence of monetization tactics allows for a more immersive gameplay experience.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized for its stuttering level progression, which disrupts the flow and momentum of gameplay by forcing players to frequently stop and start, detracting from an organic experience.
- “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
100%
While the pixel art is appreciated, the character design and music are considered bland, detracting from a fully engaging character development experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the game evokes strong emotions, particularly through engaging mechanics like parrying, which create a sense of excitement and achievement reminiscent of iconic moments in competitive gaming.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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
100%
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.”

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71%Critics’ scoreBased on 15 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Way of the Passive Fist is a arcade hack and slash game with comedy theme.

Way of the Passive Fist is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

Way of the Passive Fist was released on March 7, 2018.

Way of the Passive Fist was developed by Household Games.

Way of the Passive Fist has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Way of the Passive Fist is a single player game.

Similar games include The TakeOver, ELDERBORN, Fight'N Rage, Foul Play, Icey and others.

Way of the Passive Fist

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