The Fists of Time received overall positive critical acclaim upon release and during its reissue, though Doghouse Records' 2000 re-release was often criticized for repackaging solely previously available material and not including unreleased cuts.
The Fists of Time received positive critical reviews upon its initial release and during its reissue, but was often criticized by Doghouse Records for the 2000 re-release, which did not include any new songs.