Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 72 | 7 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 15 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 80% | 74 | 113 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (20)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Much like a deep dish pizza, Way of the Passive Fist isn't what it seems on the surface. And like the heavy alternative to the NY slice, it's not something I can recommend to everyone. However, it's a totally inventive, gorgeous, and well-executed spin on rhythm-based games, where the action never lets up.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“While I wouldn’t recommend the game to everyone due to its overall difficulty and what ends up being a fair amount of repetition, ultimately for brawler fans seeking out a challenge it delivers something both tough and fresh...”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Way of the Passive Fist starts out strong with an interesting concept, but that interest soon wears off thanks to poor execution. Once you've played the first chapter you've pretty much played all 10 as there is never any variation on offer. Combine this with the fundamental flaws of basing the gameplay purely around blocking and dodging and you have a recipe for a promising and unique but ultimately disappointing game.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“undefined.What it lacks in gameplay variety, Way of the Passive Fist makes up for in its unique focus on defense and its accessible approach to difficulty. I enjoyed playing through the story mode and learning the different attack patterns of my opponents as each interaction felt like a mini-rhythm game. If you are looking for an arcade-style brawler that has achievements and a fun hook, there's no need to be passive about downloading this one on the eShop.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Way of the Passive Fist is a clever play on words and a unique take on the genre. Sadly, the problem it attempts to solve with its unique combat starts to suffer from the same problems the games it draws inspiration from are plagued with. Still, it is a neat diversion from the norm and worth checking out on a decent discount.”
read full review ↗ - 57
“Way of the Passive Fist captures that arcade style really well and it would be perfect for that type of setup.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Way of the Passive Fist is one of the most refreshingly original games I’ve played in years. Though it has its hiccups when it comes to level design, the intense timing-based combat more than makes up for them.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For a beat 'em up indie game all about dodging and deflecting, it is worth absorbing every punch of Household Games' excellent Way of the Passive Fist. ”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Way of the Passive Fist is unique among the rest of the brawlers in the genre. Though the experience is mostly entertaining, the rhythmic gameplay can sometimes feel like a chore. Ultimately, the experience will have you reminiscing about the days of action-packed Saturday morning cartoons.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Way of the Passive Fist is an interesting title that offers a great deal to those who fully get on board with it, but its repetitive nature and demanding difficulty means that they will be few.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Way of the Passive Fist is a game out of time (in a good way). It feels like it would've fit right in alongside arcade cabinets from 30-years ago, with its cartoon color scheme and over-the-top soundtrack. But it's got a modern twist that solves a lot of old-school beat 'em ups' biggest problems and delivers a terrific overall experience with a cornucopia of options to keep you coming back for more.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“In Way of the Passive Fist, winning is earned - and it feels good.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nindie Spotlight
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Gamerheadquarters
MonsterVine
GameSkinny
Geeks Under Grace
GameSpew
EGM
Handsome Phantom…and 8 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- HUGE update for Way of the Passive Fist NEW DAWN!Jun 21, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- V1.1.0.3 Title UpdateMay 1, 2018significant · resets scoring window