POSTAL 2

About

POSTAL 2 is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Running With Scissors and was released on November 2, 2012. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

POSTAL 2 is a darkly comedic first-person shooter that lets players navigate an open world filled with bizarre characters and chaotic scenarios. Known for its mature humor and freedom of choice, the game features multiple missions across seven days and includes varied NPC interactions, weapons, and moddable content. It offers a unique, controversial experience blending satire with intense gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 48,035 reviews

humor4.6k positive mentions

stability211 negative mentions

The dark humor and absurdity of 'Postal 2' provide a unique and chaotic gameplay experience that many players find entertaining and addictive.
The game offers significant replayability with multiple ways to approach objectives and a variety of gameplay styles, enhancing its overall enjoyment.
Despite its dated graphics, the game's charm lies in its quirky characters and satirical commentary, creating a memorable atmosphere.

The game is plagued by frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious over time, with a lack of engaging content leading to a grinding experience.
The humor and storytelling may not resonate with everyone, as some players criticize the reliance on offensive jokes and a minimal narrative.

humor
4,679 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Postal 2" is characterized by its dark, edgy, and often offensive nature, drawing comparisons to the irreverent style of shows like "South Park." Players appreciate the absurdity and shock value of the game's comedic elements, which include crude jokes, satirical commentary on societal issues, and outrageous scenarios that often lead to hilariously violent outcomes. While the humor may not resonate with everyone, particularly those sensitive to politically incorrect content, it remains a significant draw for fans of dark comedy and chaotic gameplay.
- “Absolute cinema, this is basically every impulsive and intrusive thought in a game with peak humor.”
- “The edgiest edgelord in your high school would've thought this game was hilarious.”
- “This game is really good, 10 out of 10 game, I love the violence and the dark humor in the game.”
- “The offensive humor is not funny.”
- “This game is boring and unfunny as fuck.”
- “I don't dislike Postal because it's offensive; I dislike it because it uses its edginess as a crutch for being unfunny and lacking substance.”
story
1,905 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The story of "Postal 2" is often described as absurd and chaotic, revolving around the mundane tasks of the protagonist, the Postal Dude, who must complete errands throughout a week while encountering increasingly bizarre and violent situations. Players can choose to approach missions in various ways, including pacifistically or with mayhem, but the overarching narrative is minimal and serves primarily as a backdrop for the game's dark humor and chaotic gameplay. While some players appreciate the comedic and satirical elements, many note that the story is not the main draw of the game, which is more about the freedom to create chaos in an open-world environment.
- “The storytelling, characters, and dialogue are beyond terrific!”
- “Completing the main story and expansions without obsessing over every achievement already leaves a sense of immersion; the world responds to what you do, sometimes violently, sometimes hilariously, always unpredictably.”
- “The story is simple but brilliant.”
- “The story is basically an errand simulator, with a lot of plot twists in between that will make the game more and more chaotic for each day passed.”
- “The story in itself was also nothing to write home about, but frankly it's not really a story-heavy game for that to matter too much, as the focus is on the gameplay and the macabre atmosphere.”
- “The story is very simple, allowing more time spent burning people, attaching cats to the barrel of your gun, and an epic fight with what appears to be a man in a dick costume.”
gameplay
1,578 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
The gameplay of "Postal 2" is characterized by its chaotic, open-world sandbox style, allowing players to complete mundane tasks in absurd and often violent ways, such as using a unique "pissing mechanic" to extinguish fires or as a weapon. While the mechanics can feel clunky and the humor may not resonate with everyone, many players find the gameplay to be entertaining and addictive, offering a mix of dark humor and freedom of choice that encourages exploration and creativity. However, some reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive and tedious over time, with dated graphics and occasional bugs detracting from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is ahead of its time, as it turns a series of mundane tasks into a hilarious, first-person shooter experience.”
- “The gameplay is very satisfying and becomes addictive quickly.”
- “Postal 2 offers open-ended gameplay with a mix of sandbox exploration and first-person shooting.”
- “The gameplay sometimes gets boring; the game has edgy teenage dark humor, is a little buggy, and despite all of that, I still love this game.”
- “The gameplay gets kind of repetitive after a while, to be honest.”
- “The gameplay is linear, forced, and some of the cutscenes are funny, but the gameplay is absolutely god-awful and just drags on and on.”
graphics
1,107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
58%
17%
The graphics of "Postal 2" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2003 release, with many users noting that they resemble early 2000s visuals. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and humor that the crude graphics contribute to the game's overall experience, others find them subpar compared to modern standards. Despite the graphical shortcomings, players often emphasize that the gameplay and dark humor more than compensate for the visual limitations.
- “The graphics here are very pleasant for games of that time.”
- “Despite its dated graphics, Postal 2's charm lies in its commitment to being different, with quirky characters, a unique soundtrack, and a sandbox of possibilities.”
- “The graphics are decent today and were stellar back then, the soundtrack and music is amazing and the absolutely bonkers storyline is a wild ride to say the least.”
- “The game is old, the graphics are bad compared to other games nowadays, but to be honest it doesn't even matter.”
- “The graphics are rough around the edges—the bugs are more obvious—but the spirit remains raw and alive.”
- “The graphics are dated and, even with the most recent improvements, look really bad.”
music
255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of background music during exploration, which can lead to a quiet atmosphere. However, when music does appear, it is often praised for its quality, featuring a mix of energetic tracks, including metal and diegetic songs that enhance the game's chaotic vibe. Overall, while the soundtrack is not extensive, it is well-received when present, contributing positively to the game's unique tone and experience.
- “The soundtrack is varied and energetic, with a selection of songs that help set the tone and pace of the game.”
- “The music is well-chosen to suit the game’s different situations and environments, from moments of frenetic action to more relaxed and exploratory moments.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s chaotic vibe, adding to the overall experience with its eclectic mix of tracks.”
- “The game is generally 8/10 due to (as for me) an uninteresting plot and an extremely meager set of soundtracks (there are only a couple of them).”
- “There isn't much music in the game, but the voice acting is fairly decent.”
- “The first notable problem is the lack of music.”
stability
225 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The stability of "Postal 2" is widely criticized for being extremely buggy, with frequent crashes, glitches, and performance issues that can detract from the gameplay experience. Despite these technical shortcomings, many players find that the bugs add a unique charm to the game, enhancing its absurd humor and chaotic nature. Overall, while the game is often described as a "buggy mess," it remains enjoyable for those who appreciate its satirical and controversial content.
- “Runs great on modern OS.”
- “It's almost bug free, because of the possibility of getting stuck in a model or world map, which is fixed, because you get teleported to the nearest glitch-free area.”
- “Few to no glitches, few to no framerate dips (too much fire can cause problems), a solid quicksave system, an innovative open-world design (for its time), and some neat game mechanics.”
- “It's never been good, it's still incredibly buggy.”
- “From crashes and freezes to game-breaking glitches, it's clear that little effort went into optimizing this abomination for modern systems.”
- “The game is a complete buggy mess.”
replayability
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
"Postal 2" is widely praised for its high replayability, offering players numerous ways to approach objectives, a variety of gameplay styles (peaceful or violent), and a wealth of hidden content and secrets. The game's open-world structure, combined with mod support and multiple difficulty levels, enhances its replay value, making it a fun and chaotic experience that players can return to repeatedly. While some players note a decline in replayability after completing the main storyline, many still find the game engaging enough to revisit for achievements and new experiences.
- “The replayability on this game is incredible; you can take different routes each run, go pacifist, try a harder difficulty of the several you can choose from, and enable the enhanced mode with some cheats for hilarious antics and shenanigans.”
- “With an open-world structure and multiple ways to approach objectives, Postal 2 offers significant replay value.”
- “Whether you want to peacefully complete tasks or go on a rampage, the choice is yours, leading to endless replayability.”
- “The game is interesting, story-wise and joke-wise; however, I do not see much replay value, other than achievements or easter eggs.”
- “One of my favorite games of all time, and one of the most replayable games ever.”
- “I don't think it has a whole lot of replay value due to the sub-par mechanics of movement and combat.”
emotional
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a paradoxical blend of wholesome and shocking experiences, where players find themselves engaged in mundane tasks that spiral into chaotic and violent scenarios. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from laughter and nostalgia to discomfort and introspection, often reflecting on deeper societal issues through its outrageous humor and absurdity. Overall, players appreciate the emotional depth and relatability of the characters, despite the game's controversial content, labeling it as a unique and memorable experience.
- “This game reminded me of gay Coleman and I cried, 10/10.”
- “In the DLC, you even get to go to heaven and reunite with your loving wife and dog in a touching moment.”
- “Each character is brought to life with such conviction and personality that it becomes impossible not to be emotionally invested in their stories, no matter how outrageous or dark they may be.”
- “This game has such a boring storyline and tasks that it feels like real life; everything is constantly annoying, standing in line and waiting. Eventually, you go postal, and it's the most satisfying thing ever.”
- “Boring story that goes nowhere.”
- “Slow, boring story; the map is hard to read.”
grinding
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
45%
52%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and monotonous, with many players feeling that the gameplay becomes a slog over time. While some appreciate the chaotic humor and absurdity, the repetitive nature of missions and the pressure to engage in violence to bypass mundane tasks detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that the game requires significant time investment, often feeling like a grind rather than an enjoyable journey.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes, but they're not too grindy and are actually very fun to get.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The first couple of days were fun, but it was a tedious grind by the end of the first week, let alone the second.”
- “The next 7 days of my life were just a grinding slog that just kept getting worse and worse.”
- “The crude, non-PC humor doesn't bug me 'cause that's exactly what I expected, but that novelty wears thin very quickly and what you have left is a boring, often excruciating, and poorly designed game with an open-world map that feels restrictive and missions that are tedious.”
optimization
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
53%
21%
The optimization of Postal 2 is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it runs smoothly on older hardware and offers adjustable performance settings, it suffers from frequent crashes and performance issues on newer systems. Some users report that the game can be janky and poorly optimized for modern operating systems, particularly with its DLC, while others appreciate the improvements made over time. Overall, while it can be enjoyable with the right tweaks, many players still encounter significant stability and optimization challenges.
- “As for technical performance, it's a pretty old game at this point, but for the most part pretty polished and it runs smooth even on a 12-year-old GPU.”
- “Postal 2 runs smoothly on most modern systems, with few issues regarding performance.”
- “Optimization 10/10”
- “This game is not optimized for Steam Deck whatsoever.”
- “On top of the awfulness of the game itself, this is also a badly optimized port.”
- “Poorly optimized, prone to crashes, horrible level design, and wooden, lifeless gun fights.”
atmosphere
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is described as unique and immersive, blending dark humor with chaotic and absurd elements that create a memorable experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic and comedic aspects, others find the atmosphere unsettling or crude, reflecting a mix of satire and social commentary. Overall, the sound design, exaggerated character visuals, and dynamic environments contribute significantly to the game's distinct and engaging atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere created is incredible; the randomness and humor with social critiques make Postal 2 a unique game.”
- “Absolutely adore the dark yet hilarious atmosphere this game has.”
- “The sound design, including voice acting and absurd sound effects, enhances the comedic atmosphere, drawing players deeper into its chaotic world.”
- “Unpleasant on every difficulty (of which there are like 10 and you can't change at any point after starting) because of poor combat, very slow mobility, lame map, and repetitive level design with a lot of empty areas and dead ends that serve no purpose, not even to commit to the atmosphere or expand immersion.”
- “Profoundly juvenile 'edgy' humor, atmosphere that is somehow disturbing and boring, and carries with it a brand of violence that just feels seriously uncomfortable.”
- “However, the game itself has an intention far, far away from amazing the player with the dialogues or surrounding you with its unreal and vivid atmosphere; no, it's nothing like that, and that should be clear from just watching the trailer.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
16%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game has sparked controversy, with some players viewing it as a cash grab due to its heavy reliance on advertising and microtransactions, while others appreciate the developers' commitment to providing a fun experience without pay-to-win mechanics. The game features only one DLC, which is well-received for its content, and players note the absence of traditional microtransactions, making it a refreshing alternative in a market often criticized for exploitative monetization practices. Overall, the game's approach to monetization is seen as both satirical and engaging, appealing to those who enjoy its unique style.
- “I played Postal 2 a long time ago, stopped, then played a small bit about on April 1st, and there was much more new content. Hell, even an April Fools joke which was joking about microtransactions. In other words, they're still updating and upgrading the game.”
- “It was a nice break from all the microtransactions of EA and all the loot boxes.”
- “No microtransactions, or pay-to-win, and only one DLC which is actually the good kind of DLC.”
- “RWS have abandoned their decade+ audience for cheap cash grabs, while stopping production on P4.”
- “On the surface, this game looks like a lazy cash grab made to make a few bucks and piss off as many people as possible at the same time.”
- “At first glance, you might just think this to be a controversy-fueled cash grab of a game, but the developers actually care about their product so it's a fun experience.”
character development
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
Character development in the game is noted for its quirky and exaggerated designs that enhance the comedic atmosphere, with a variety of characters and locations that feel interconnected. While some players appreciate the attention to storytelling and character growth, others criticize the overall execution and suggest that those seeking a more serious narrative may be disappointed. Overall, the game offers a mix of amusing character interactions and chaotic gameplay, appealing to those who enjoy a less conventional approach to character development.
- “But it's not just the gameplay mechanics that make Postal 2 shine; it's the attention to storytelling and character development that elevate it to a league of its own.”
- “Interesting story, brilliant character development, and a very lovable protagonist.”
- “If you're looking for a game with plot and character development, then buy something else because you won't be happy. However, if you don't care and want a mindless first-person open-world do-whatever-you-want game, then get it on sale.”
- “As a game, it is crudely made with poor weapons design, poor physical character design, and a generally unrefined theme - environments are simplistic and detail is rather low.”
- “Some say this change in character is a negative turn for the story, but I think that it's good that RWS is exploring new horizons in character development.”