66%Strong matchAtomik: RunGunJumpGun
85%28885% positive reviews, Very Positive across 288 reviews·Pixel Graphics · Platformer
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The Pacifist is a retro sci-fi top-down action game with unique mechanics that blends elements of the Arcade and Rhythm genres on a gorgeous, minimalist battlefield. Only in The Pacifist can you fight without fighting.
The Pacifist
Steam
“The journey home is fraught with perils,
but if you use your wits and your will,
your enemies will destroy themselves.”

As The Pacifist, you just want to go home, but there are hostile forces that would stop you from completing your journey. Each enemy provides a unique puzzle: how do you destroy them while remaining non-violent? The bloodlust of your enemies will cause them to be reckless. Learn their behaviours, get in sync with the beat, and leave your enemies to regret their life choices.
The Pacifist travels from deep space to deep ocean and beyond, across a wide variety of rhythmic battlefields. Dance between enemies to the beat of gameplay synchronized to an original soundtrack by Handsome Hansel, with creative and unique boss battles, a challenging campaign, and competitive global leaderboards.

Despite its unique twist, The Pacifist is a nostalgic throw back to classic top-down shooters of old. Soak in the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the 80s and 90s as you embark on your perilous journey. It won’t be easy; once you run out of lives (and you will) it’s back to the start. Only the determined need apply.
The Pacifist blends elements of the Roguelike and Rhythm genres. Enemies move and act in sync with the original soundtrack. The beat matters, and you'll need to master it to survive. Each journey is its own, and once you run out of lives, that's it. The stakes are high - there are no checkpoints to fall back on, and no respite if you fall.

It's nice to survive, but it's even better to win while you're doing it. Your fastest times are recorded and can be shared on a leaderboard where you compete to be the very best.
How do you go quickly when you can't fight? Slow down time, dash between attacks, and influence enemies to destroy themselves as quickly as possible to achieve the best times.
The controls are simple. The strategy, however, is complex. The Pacifist is a game that you can pick up in seconds, but survival is difficult and mastery is harder still. To get the best time, you'll need to truly perfect every enemy and boss encounter.

Steam data © 2026 Valve Corporation. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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