POSTAL Reviews

👍

Just a little edgy game

-software launch parameter

[h1]Wait... I thought I was supposed to deliver letters or something...[/h1] [b]Compared to its more popular sequel, P1 is more of a horror game than anything. While its gameplay and graphics aged a lot, it feels like a good one-time story experience - a harrowing journey through a mind of a disturbed individual going on a bloody rampage.[/b] “The Earth is hungry. Its heart throbs and demands cleansing. The Earth is also Thirsty.”// ///// / // / /// / / / “̵M̸o̷v̴i̶n̵g̴ ̸t̵o̴ ̸“̶P̴a̴r̶a̵d̸i̷s̸e̵”̶ ̶w̴a̴s̶ ̴a̷ ̶t̸r̶a̶g̶i̸c̸ ̷m̷i̵s̵t̷a̷k̸e̷.̶ ̶P̷e̴o̵p̸l̶e̷ ̶h̸e̸r̶e̸ ̷a̶r̵e̸.̵.̵.̸ ̵s̵i̸c̵k̸.̵ ̴I̷ ̶h̶e̵a̴r̷ ̶g̷u̷n̴s̶h̵o̴t̴s̷,̶ ̸s̴c̴r̴e̴a̸m̶s̵ ̶a̶f̴t̸e̶r̴ ̸d̷a̴r̵k̶.̶ ̵N̵o̸w̸ ̸t̵h̵e̷ ̸p̸h̸o̸n̶e̵ ̸c̶a̶l̸l̸s̵,̶ ̶s̵a̶y̵i̸n̸’̸ ̴I̶’̵m̶ ̷b̸e̶i̸n̶g̴ ̴t̶h̷r̷o̶w̸n̷ ̶o̴u̸t̷t̶a̴ ̶t̸h̵i̴s̷ ̴h̸o̷u̶s̶e̵.̸ ̵M̷Y̷ ̶h̶o̴u̸s̴e̶,̷ ̵W̵e̸a̶r̷i̵n̵g̵ ̸K̷e̵v̶l̴a̶r̸ ̶v̸e̶s̶t̵ ̷a̸n̴d̴ ̴c̷a̴r̵r̸y̶i̴n̷g̸ ̵a̴ ̶s̴i̵d̶e̴a̵r̵m̷ ̸a̸t̵ ̸a̸l̷l̸ ̴t̴i̵m̴e̷s̵ ̴n̸o̷w̴.̶.̶.̵”̵ ̶ On the surface, the story is just about a psychopath deciding that blood must be drawn – he goes on a rampage through various parts of Paradise town. He travels through gas stations, city centers, construction sites, military bases – to end up at an elementary school. A disturbed man, a psychopath, maybe even possessed by some malicious demon. If you’d assume just that, well, you’d be right for the most part. [b]However, the additional context is important.[/b] At the start of each level, you get a quote – something about blood of virgins, screams of the damned or optionally sacrificing souls. If you look at the game’s manual though (which no one would expect you to just have a manual for the 28-year-old game laying around) you can see that it also has descriptions for each level in the form of a diary. These seem a lot more reasonable and less bloodthirsty. From them you can see that the protagonist believes everyone around him is crazy, infected with some kind of a gas released probably from the nearby military station. If you’d just read these without the context of the game, you’d think this man is just fighting for his life, trying to escape a nightmare, while fending off lunatics that are out to get him. Playing the game while reading the manual entries creates an interesting dichotomy between what is done in the game and what the main character seemingly experiences. It’s not just a mindless rampage, but a story of a man going through a severe psychosis. On the outside he is killing innocents and the law enforcement trying to stop him, he is a psychopath on a bloody rampage. Internally however, it seems that he truly believes everyone else is mad and trying to get him. The sounds of damage sustained by the main character and the humorous remarks that he makes while killing people are actually voiced by a different people. That poses a theory about the protagonist not being in control of himself, rather being puppeted by a demon. It’s not just simple “the devil made me do it”, but an interesting portrayal of psychosis, often theorized to be a form of demonic possession. It is a brutal and highly controversial game, but also a short and interesting story experience posing several questions. Was he truly possessed? Was there a demon? Is the player the true villain as he forces the protagonist to do these things? [b]Are the cops fu.cking st00pid when gunning down civilians as I’m going for the Boondock Saint achievement?[/b] The game gives you a set of weapons of destruction like a rifle, shotgun, flamethrower, and rocket launcher to sow mayhem. You don’t get all of them right away, but every few levels that you progress through will give you the new stuff. Prior to that you can see their silhouettes on the HUD. There are supplies lying on the maps like med kits that can overheal you, Kevlar vests giving armor and ammo for your guns. Combat itself is not that pleasant – it’s cool when enemies die in two shotgun shots, but often they are bullet sponges that take a sh.itload of shots even from the automatic shotgun. Some weapons like the rocket launcher are instakills if they connect, but most maps have too many hostiles to just blow them all up. Overall, in 2025, you probably won’t want to put up with the gameplay more than for one playthrough, even on the easier difficulty. As you progress through the levels, the game introduces new enemies and turrets. They have more dangerous stuff like shotguns and rocket launchers – that one guy even spits fire at you. There are dudes throwing grenades as well. What’s cool is that when a rocket flies in your direction you can duck under it. Fire is dangerous not only for enemies but for you as well. It spreads through physical contact, which is a double-edged sword. To beat a level you need to reach a fixed percentage of hostiles killed and press F1. There are also civilians that do not count for the progress but will get put down in the process anyway; the cops don’t f.uck around. People often don’t die right away but bleed out on the ground. They’ll die after a while, or you can execute them yourself – kills only count when they stop moving. There are also exploding barrels around the levels that are surprisingly fun to blow up as they often lead to cool chain reactions – either igniting other barrels or setting people on fire. The game looks old, sure, but some of the art is really cool. It’s horrific and scary, but good in its own right. Also, the levels are these hand painted environments that although low-res, have their aesthetic. Some art seems crudely pasted together, making it look nasty and raw. The sound design is obnoxiously loud and unpleasant – which was probably intentional. Even the main menu is this noise and banging, plus the level quote intros have these droning, demonic sounds. It’s like screams and despair. It adds to the overall hostile and unpleasant aesthetic of the game. Gameplay sounds are aged but convey the atmosphere. People scream, beg for mercy, and look for help. It’s distressing and scary. I wouldn’t say Postal is a pleasant game. Not only because of its aged gameplay, but also because of its distressing motifs and obnoxious aesthetic. However, as a short horror narrative experience full of shock and brutality it lets you have an interesting look into an individual suffering from psychosis. Not for everyone, but as a horror motif it’s great. [h1]I’ll add “having to set up Linux for an achievement” to my list of “unique” platinum requirements.[/h1]

POSTAL is a controversial yet undeniably influential title in the realm of action shooters, known for its unapologetic dark humor, over-the-top violence, and satirical take on American culture. Originally released in the late 1990s and later made available on Steam with updated versions, the game places players in the shoes of the Postal Dude, an everyman whose mundane life unravels into chaotic mayhem. It’s a game that defies conventional storytelling and gameplay norms, deliberately courting shock value while delivering fast-paced, no-holds-barred action. At its core, POSTAL is a top-down shooter that emphasizes frenetic gameplay and player freedom to wreak havoc across open-ended levels. Players navigate through urban environments, wielding an arsenal of bizarre and often absurd weapons—from standard firearms to more unconventional tools of destruction. The game’s mechanics are straightforward, with controls that prioritize rapid movement and shooting, encouraging players to engage enemies aggressively. While the gameplay loop can be repetitive, the sheer unpredictability of the scenarios and the chaotic AI behaviors keep the experience lively and often hilarious. One of the defining characteristics of POSTAL is its unabashedly controversial tone. The game doesn’t shy away from provocative content, whether through exaggerated violence, dark satire, or politically incorrect jokes. This boldness gives it a unique place in gaming history, though it has also sparked significant criticism and censorship attempts. The humor is intentionally crass and edgy, which will appeal to some players who enjoy irreverent satire but may alienate others who find it offensive or excessive. The developers seem to have embraced this divisiveness, crafting a game that thrives on its notoriety as much as its gameplay. The level design in POSTAL supports the game’s emphasis on chaos and exploration. Urban areas, suburbs, and various public spaces provide ample room for players to experiment with different tactics and strategies. The AI, while not always sophisticated, contributes to unpredictable encounters, with enemies and civilians reacting in often surprising ways. This unpredictability adds to the game’s replay value, as no two playthroughs feel exactly the same. However, the game’s age shows in its technical aspects—graphics are dated, and animations can feel stiff or awkward by modern standards. Despite its controversial nature, POSTAL carries a certain cult appeal thanks to its raw and unfiltered approach. It stands as a time capsule of late 90s game design and cultural attitudes, offering a glimpse into a period when video games were pushing boundaries in both content and gameplay experimentation. For players interested in gaming history or seeking a unique, if provocative, experience, POSTAL provides something distinctly memorable. The soundtrack and sound effects complement the game’s chaotic atmosphere, with frantic music and exaggerated noises heightening the overall sense of madness. That said, the game’s very identity as a provocateur means it’s not suited for everyone. Its rough edges, controversial themes, and repetitive gameplay may frustrate players looking for polish or deeper narrative engagement. The moral ambiguity and graphic content require a certain tolerance for shock and dark humor, and players should approach the game with that understanding to fully appreciate its intent and style. In conclusion, POSTAL is a polarizing but historically significant title that offers a chaotic, darkly comedic take on the shooter genre. It excels in delivering fast-paced, unrestrained action coupled with provocative satire, carving out a niche for players who enjoy edgy content and irreverent gameplay. While its age and controversial themes limit its mainstream appeal, its cult status and bold design make it an intriguing experience for those curious about the evolution of video games and the boundaries of interactive storytelling. For fans of unconventional, boundary-pushing games, POSTAL remains a notable and unforgettable adventure. Rating: 9/10

There really is nothing to say that has't already be said; Postal is a good game.

postal is one of my favorites series ever I personality have a lot of fun with postal i thing the only bad thing is trying to get the achievements but I am dedicated

interesting story but gameplay is a bit janky, other modes are OK, the challenge mode is actually challenging and fun but the game crash there so often for me. if you only into the story then the stiff gameplay shouldnt be an issue for you