POSTAL

About

POSTAL is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by Running With Scissors and was released on November 14, 1997. It received very positive reviews from players.

Postal is a single-player horror shooter game with good mechanics and phenomenal music, now offering new control options and LAN multiplayer. Battle through 22 levels of a violence-stricken town using 9 devastating weapons, and test yourself with 22 bonus challenge stages. The game's humor and dense atmosphere make it a unique and entertaining experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+22

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,409 reviews

gameplay114 positive mentions

grinding29 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and darkly comedic experience, providing a cathartic outlet for frustration.
The atmosphere and art style are haunting and memorable, effectively conveying the protagonist's descent into madness.
It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in exploring its controversial themes.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often reducing to simply shooting enemies without much strategy.
Controls are clunky and can be frustrating, especially for modern players used to more refined mechanics.
The game may be too disturbing for some, with its themes of violence and mental illness potentially triggering for sensitive players.

gameplay
395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
61%
10%
The gameplay of this title is a polarizing mix, characterized by its straightforward, chaotic twin-stick shooting mechanics that emphasize mindless violence and player freedom. While some players appreciate the fast-paced action and dark humor, many criticize the repetitive nature, clunky controls, and outdated design, leading to a frustrating experience for others. Overall, it offers a nostalgic yet flawed gameplay experience that may appeal to fans of the genre but lacks depth and polish compared to modern standards.
- “The gameplay is fun and consuming.”
- “The gameplay is consistently simple but fun, at least for me.”
- “The gameplay is a third-person isometric, much like the first couple of Army Men games that 3DO had, only with much more gore, suffering, and people pleading for their lives.”
- “Gameplay is repetitive and boring, controls are weird, no satisfying goal other than kill a bunch of people.”
- “The gameplay is horrendous and you can barely control your character.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay is 1996-style isometric bullcrap.”
story
324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
70%
11%
The story of "Postal" is minimal and often described as a dark, disturbing exploration of a character's descent into madness, with the main premise revolving around a man going on a violent rampage. While some players appreciate the underlying themes of mental illness and societal critique, many criticize the lack of a coherent narrative, as the gameplay primarily focuses on mindless violence with only brief, edgy text snippets between levels to provide context. Overall, the game's storytelling is polarizing, with some finding it intriguing and others deeming it shallow and poorly executed.
- “Honestly, the story is tragic if you pay attention.”
- “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.”
- “The story is quite dark and it doesn't have any happy humor like Postal 2, but that's what makes it good.”
- “No story, no nothing....”
- “There’s barely any story to hang onto.”
- “The story is practically nonexistent outside of the diary entries and what you get from the manual.”
humor
323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Postal" is largely characterized by its dark and edgy tone, diverging significantly from the more comedic and absurd style of its sequel, "Postal 2." While some players appreciate the minimal yet twisted humor and absurdity present in the game, many note that it leans heavily towards brutality and shock value, often lacking the frequent comedic elements found in later installments. Overall, the humor is described as controversial and divisive, appealing to those with a taste for dark satire but potentially alienating to others.
- “There are so many achievements in the game and they are so random and funny.”
- “The humor in Postal is as diverse as a jumbo-sized bag of assorted jelly beans, offering a delectable mix of satire, slapstick, puns, and innuendos that will have you guffawing like a herd of hyenas on laughing gas.”
- “The chaotic, absurdist tone of Postal—from the dark humor to the over-the-top violence—immediately clicked with me.”
- “Not like Postal 2: not funny, but very creepy and... very perfect.”
- “Now, I said earlier in the review this game was supposed to be funny; allow me to elaborate.”
graphics
304 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
69%
13%
The graphics of the game, released in 1997, are widely regarded as dated and basic, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well by modern standards. However, the hand-drawn art style and intentionally crude visuals contribute to the game's unsettling atmosphere, effectively enhancing its psychological horror elements. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm of the graphics, others find them a significant drawback, suggesting that those seeking improved visuals might prefer the Redux version.
- “Graphics are on par with what is expected, as are the sound effects, but they work great together to give that psychological horror vibe.”
- “I also love that the UI and cutscenes are drawn in such a horrifying and grotesque art style.”
- “The art style, ambience, and music fit the tone perfectly and is just really good overall.”
- “The graphics are pretty hideous, even for the time, in my opinion.”
- “However, the game’s age shows in its technical aspects—graphics are dated, and animations can feel stiff or awkward by modern standards.”
- “The graphics are outdated but still good game :)”
music
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
78%
4%
The music in the game is predominantly unsettling and atmospheric, featuring a mix of industrial sounds, dissonant melodies, and ambient noise that enhances the overall horror experience. While there is minimal music during gameplay, the loading screens and menu themes are described as disturbing and impactful, contributing to a sense of dread and chaos. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke strong emotions, though some find it excessively loud or jarring, making it a polarizing aspect of the game.
- “The unsettling atmosphere of the game, along with the music and pre-level screens makes the game quite unique, but also might be a bit too much for some people.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects complement the game’s chaotic atmosphere, with frantic music and exaggerated noises heightening the overall sense of madness.”
- “The music, the menu sounds, the art, the final level, and the ending scene are all perfectly disturbing.”
- “The neighborhoods blend together in this endless gray sprawl, and every backdrop screams 'hopelessness.' The music (if you can call it that) just adds to the misery, no catchy tunes, just this relentless, droning noise that makes you feel like you’re stuck in a nightmare.”
- “The music is absolutely dreadful in my opinion; it's loud droning noises that will make your ears bleed.”
- “The soundtrack is very unsettling, and it doesn't help that it keeps playing in my head after I close the game.”
atmosphere
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
61%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, unsettling, and oppressive, often evoking feelings of discomfort and horror. Reviewers highlight its ability to create a haunting ambiance through its gritty visuals, eerie sound design, and disturbing themes, making it a memorable experience that stands out in the gaming landscape. While some note the gameplay may not be revolutionary, the atmosphere is praised as a significant strength, contributing to the game's overall impact and emotional resonance.
- “The atmosphere in this game is genuinely unsettling.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects complement the game’s chaotic atmosphere, with frantic music and exaggerated noises heightening the overall sense of madness.”
- “Instead of comedy, you get pure discomfort and a heavy, unsettling atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is really dark; it's not just edgy or over the top, it just feels too 'real' and nonchalant, which is the main thing that makes it so disturbing.”
- “The gameplay isn't much to write home about; it's alright, but the whole vibe and atmosphere just feels so wrong, twisted, and evil... and yet at the same time it feels so right.”
emotional
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game vary widely, with many players highlighting its wholesome and heartwarming qualities, often describing it as a comforting experience that evokes feelings of nostalgia and connection. However, some users also express discomfort and unease, particularly in relation to darker themes and unsettling gameplay elements, leading to feelings of emotional conflict and introspection. Overall, the game elicits a strong emotional spectrum, from joy and warmth to anxiety and introspection.
- “It made me feel seen in a way I didn’t think was possible in the world of gaming.”
- “The sweetest and most heartwarming game of all time.”
- “I cried during the airforce base mission.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
21%
76%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that enemy encounters often feel like a chore due to their high health and the grindy nature of achievement hunting. While some enjoy the initial gameplay, the overall experience tends to become monotonous, leading to frustration and a sense of demoralization. Players recommend caution for those seeking to complete all achievements, as it can require an excessive time investment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Fun game, but achievements don’t need to be so grindy.”
- “While I do recommend this game, it can quickly become boring and tedious.”
- “The achievements are grindy and lame, and the whole game is a pain to go through.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to challenges, achievements, and multiplayer modes, while others criticize it for lacking substantial replayability after the main campaign. Many find the gameplay fun and engaging, but some feel that the experience becomes repetitive and doesn't warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, the presence of achievements and additional content can enhance replayability, but it varies significantly among players.
- “The addition of LAN multiplayer with up to 16 players adds replayability through both co-op and deathmatch modes.”
- “This unpredictability adds to the game’s replay value, as no two playthroughs feel exactly the same.”
- “The game also has a nice variety of weapons and the achievements add replay value.”
- “Has no replayability.”
- “It's a good one-time experience, but there's no replay value.”
- “There's not a lot of replay value either, besides achievements (and man, some of them are insane when it comes to grind).”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
94%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, including issues with achievements, AI behavior, and multiplayer connectivity. While some players find it enjoyable despite these problems, the overall consensus leans towards a frustrating experience due to the persistent technical issues.
- “Performance-wise, it runs great on Windows 8.1.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
- “I'm giving this a thumbs down because of how buggy it is even today.”
- “The game is an isometric shooter with a buggy hand-drawn environment, extremely janky controls, and poor semi-scripted AI.”
- “Not to forget that the game has a multiplayer mode for 15 players that can be used by LAN or the RWS servers, but due to some connection problems and glitches, the servers had to be shut down sadly.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
Overall, the optimization of the game is solid, with the Redux version offering improved performance and fewer bugs compared to the original. However, some users noted that Redux has its own issues, such as a less gritty aesthetic and occasional stuttering. Despite these drawbacks, the Redux version is generally recommended for its better optimization, especially on lower-end machines.
- “And if you want a nostalgia fix, at least play the redux version; it's much more optimized.”
- “Great performance, even on the worst of machines.”
- “Redux originally had a lot of performance issues and general bugs, but they've now been patched out for the most part, meaning that Redux is pretty much better than the old Postal in every way.”
- “And if you want a nostalgia fix, at least play the Redux version; it's much more optimized.”
- “Redux is good but it has some issues: it is not as gritty looking as this, has a slower walking speed, some weird stuttering issues at times, the screams/voices from the civilians don't sound as good, and it has a different and not as good ending.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has been criticized for overshadowing its original grim aesthetic, with some users feeling that the humorous advertising does not align with the game's controversial history. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be a point of contention among players, who feel it detracts from the game's core experience.
- “Do not let the advertising fool you.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The character development aspect received a score of 5/10 for character design, indicating a mediocre execution, but no specific feedback was provided regarding the depth or progression of character development itself.