POSTAL: Brain Damaged

About

POSTAL: Brain Damaged is a single player arcade shooter game. It was developed by CreativeForge Games and was released on June 9, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

"POSTAL: Brain Damaged" is a first-person shooter game where players control the series' protagonist, the Postal Dude, as he navigates through a hostile world using a wide range of weapons. The game features a unique "brain damage" system, where players can choose to temporarily boost their abilities at the cost of their sanity. With a distinctive comic-book style and dark humor, players will face off against strange enemies and complete various missions in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,678 reviews

humor669 positive mentions

stability39 negative mentions

Fast-paced and fluid gameplay reminiscent of classic boomer shooters like DOOM and Ultrakill.
Creative and humorous weaponry, including unique mechanics like the 'Piss' ability and the Super Hooker Shotgun.
Visually engaging with a distinct art style that captures the chaotic essence of the Postal series.

Repetitive level design and enemy encounters that can lead to boredom over time.
Outdated humor and references that may not resonate with all players, feeling cringeworthy at times.
Some technical issues, including bugs that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.

humor
693 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in "Postal: Brain Damaged" is a mix of crude, juvenile jokes and contemporary pop culture references, often drawing from the series' trademark irreverence. While some players find the humor hilarious and fitting for the chaotic gameplay, others criticize it as outdated or cringeworthy, with many jokes feeling like they rely heavily on current events and internet memes. Overall, the humor is divisive, appealing primarily to fans of lowbrow comedy and those familiar with the franchise's edgy style.
- “The absurd scenarios and outrageous gags had me laughing out loud.”
- “This game perfectly mixes dark humor and over-the-top action.”
- “What I like about this game is the amount of jokes that are based on our real world and they are so hilarious lol.”
- “Extremely mid shooter with extra unfunny humor.”
- “Not very good gameplay, mixed with uninteresting maps and really juvenile, unfunny humor.”
- “Maybe the most aggressively unfunny games I've ever played, in terms of plot, dialogue, enemy voice lines, and weapon/visual gags.”
gameplay
597 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The gameplay of "Postal: Brain Damaged" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, fluid mechanics reminiscent of classic boomer shooters like Doom and Quake, while others criticize it for being derivative and repetitive. Players appreciate the unique blend of absurd humor and engaging combat, featuring a variety of weapons and movement mechanics, including a notable "pissing" mechanic that adds a layer of dark humor. However, some find the level design lacking and the humor hit-or-miss, suggesting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, it may not appeal to everyone.
- “Fast-paced, smooth, and undeniably fun gameplay, with excellent level design in the main story mode campaigns.”
- “The gameplay is fantastic, with smooth controls, satisfying mechanics, and a unique blend of nostalgic elements and fresh gameplay.”
- “Gameplay feels like a chore, not fun at all.”
- “The gameplay encourages reckless abandon, allowing players to unleash chaos without consequence.”
- “The gameplay is very fast-paced and action-oriented, but the reddit-tier humor made me want to uninstall the game about 7-9 separate times while I was playing.”
graphics
301 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The graphics of "Postal: Brain Damaged" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising its unique, stylized low-poly art style that evokes nostalgia for classic boomer shooters. While some appreciate the game's vibrant and surreal visuals, others find the graphics underwhelming compared to modern standards, noting occasional glitches and a lack of detail. Overall, the game's aesthetic is seen as a fitting and charming representation of its chaotic gameplay and dark humor, appealing particularly to fans of retro gaming.
- “The graphics, the gameplay, the sound effects, the music is damn good.”
- “The art style is fantastic and a great call back to an earlier era of 3D gaming.”
- “The visuals are pleasant and easily readable with plenty of sight gags and good variety as the episodes progress.”
- “However, where these titles failed, Brain Damaged succeeds, even if its retro graphics are annoying at best and its semblance of a story is incoherent.”
- “If you're thinking 'hey, I want Postal 2 but I want better graphics,' this game probably won't scratch that itch.”
- “They completely lost all touch with what they were doing in Postal 2, to where this just feels like they shit out a Doom / Serious Sam clone with lame pixel graphics.”
music
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and diverse soundtrack that complements the chaotic gameplay, often likening it to the heavy metal vibes of the Doom series. However, some players noted issues with the music not triggering during combat or feeling generic at times, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is generally considered a highlight, with several standout tracks that enhance the game's atmosphere and action.
- “The soundtrack slaps harder than a psychotic rock concert, switching between heavy, headbanging riffs and cheeky melodies that perfectly complement the chaos.”
- “The music definitely deserves praise as well.”
- “The soundtrack is outstanding, right up there with (and quite similar to) Mick Gordon's tunes for Doom 2016/Eternal and Andrew Hulshult's work for Dusk.”
- “The music is honestly generic and forgettable for a boomer shooter.”
- “The soundtrack is another weak element; there is an instrumental for each level, and while they all suit their environments well, the pieces are quite generic, and I doubt you’ll be listening to much of it outside of the game.”
- “Sometimes the music doesn't cut in when it is supposed to; I was midway through a big fight and only then did it finally amp up the music, but by then the fight was practically over.”
story
223 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The story in "Postal: Brain Damaged" is generally viewed as a light and humorous backdrop that serves primarily to facilitate gameplay rather than provide depth. While some players appreciate its absurdity and irreverent humor, many note that the narrative is often incoherent and lacks meaningful development, with the plot revolving around the Postal Dude's surreal experiences in a dream-like state. Overall, the game is not designed for those seeking a compelling story, but rather for fans of chaotic, over-the-top action and dark comedy.
- “Never thought a postal boomer shooter would be this good, the story and references to people in the real world may trigger those with a more sensitive heart, but you need to remember that at the end of the day, this is a postal game, and the coolest thing about postal is how they criticize everything and everyone in a fun way.”
- “The game is set entirely within the twisted subconscious of the infamous postal dude, splitting its story across three wildly different episodes: 'American Dream Gone Wrong,' 'Soulless Asylum,' and 'No-Life Matters.' Each episode offers a distinct flavor of madness, featuring bizarre and grotesque enemies, cleverly designed levels, and a variety of environments that range from nightmarish urban sprawls to unsettling asylum corridors.”
- “The plot is a thin thread of revenge and mayhem, dressed up with dark humor and jaw-dropping set pieces.”
- “The narrative tone remains irreverent, but story elements are lightweight and serve mainly as humorous context between stages.”
- “The story is non-existent, the comedy is pretty juvenile and unfunny.”
- “The plot does not shine with thoughtfulness, and is woven from several stories that are intertwined in the dude's head - creating a crazy world around the player.”
optimization
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
52%
8%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback. While many players praise its stable performance and high frame rates on supported hardware, some report significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, particularly in certain episodes or on lower-spec systems. Despite these concerns, several reviews highlight that the game is generally well-optimized for its visual fidelity, with minimal bugs and a smooth gameplay experience.
- “Performance is stable, maintaining high frame rates on supported hardware.”
- “All expected game options are there, performance and stability are spotless, optimization is appropriate to the level of visual fidelity, absence of bugs or even minor graphical glitches.”
- “The game is very well optimized.”
- “I've not been happy with the direction Postal has been going as a series, as Postal 3 didn't turn out well and Postal 4, even when I played it, showcased horrible performance in its EA build that was completely unplayable.”
- “Fun game and DLC, but the optimization is terrible; I'm still getting FPS drops even at the lowest resolution.”
- “So Hyperstrange, if you see this, I strongly recommend looking into this, because the graphical and processing usage don't justify such nasty drops in performance considering how the game runs very smoothly in all other instances, so having the game shit the bed that much is very jarring.”
stability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report it as the least buggy installment in the Postal series, others experience significant glitches and performance issues, particularly in later levels. Many users note occasional bugs and framerate drops, but overall, the game is described as fun and engaging, with some players willing to overlook the technical flaws. A few reviews highlight a generally smooth experience with minimal crashes, suggesting that while not flawless, the game is relatively stable compared to its predecessors.
- “It barely lags; the game is not very buggy and it is very fun to play compared to the last two games.”
- “While I’m not sure if I’ll ever replay this, it was a fun experience—smooth and bug-free on release day.”
- “It runs great on my 1080 Ti at full graphic settings.”
- “Buggy mess, toilet humour that hasn't changed a bit since Postal 4, awful level design.”
- “I would have given a positive review in spite of the humour, but it's buggy as hell and now I cannot even progress.”
- “I can't understand how a game this buggy could have such glowing reviews.”
replayability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
44%
12%
Overall, the game's replayability is highlighted by a variety of factors such as secrets, collectibles, and multiple difficulty levels, appealing particularly to completionists and speedrunners. While some players find the gameplay can become repetitive after a while, many appreciate the engaging mechanics and the fun of exploring different modes and challenges. The presence of leaderboards and a campaign with numerous replayable elements contributes to a generally positive perception of replay value.
- “High replayability thanks to a sizable campaign, level secrets, and a completion percentage per level, par times for each level, and an endless mode with 3 stages.”
- “There's lots of secrets and things in each level, lots of achievements and leaderboards for each level, so there's a lot of replay value you can get out of it.”
- “The fifteen hours it took me to complete this game on hard and collect all achievements were consistently enjoyable, and there are plenty of opportunities for replayability to engage in speedrunning.”
- “Limited replay value once you’ve seen everything.”
- “The replay value is somewhat dependent on how much one enjoys the frenetic combat loop, as the narrative and variety of gameplay modes are relatively limited.”
- “Don't expect the same replay value as this game's contemporaries.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
29%
13%
The game's atmosphere is a vibrant blend of humor and surrealism, characterized by grotesque character models and energetic, varied soundtracks that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the dynamic shifts in tone, from lighthearted and silly to dark and atmospheric, with engaging environments and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its charm, creativity, and ability to complement the gameplay effectively.
- “Character models are deliberately grotesque and exaggerated, often bordering on the surreal, reinforcing the game’s unique atmosphere.”
- “The stages are sprawling, the secrets logical, the colors vibrant, and atmospheres varied.”
- “The music is awesome and dynamic, going from moody and atmospheric while exploring straight to sick metal riffs in combat arenas.”
- “I think that the main thing this game lacks is some sort of a gimmick - y'know the brutalism of HROT, the attention to the detail of Selaco, the atmosphere of Cutlic.”
- “The game makes emphasis on its humor, which might not be for everybody, but it also has a dark atmosphere in several levels, lots of gore and all kinds of twisted enemies.”
- “I noticed a familiar atmosphere in some of the more somber levels (inside the border wall especially) that is very akin to dusk.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
32%
63%
Players consistently express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as tedious and time-consuming, particularly on higher difficulties. The large maps and lack of effective navigation tools contribute to feelings of aimlessness and repetitiveness, making the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. Additionally, long levels with infrequent autosaves exacerbate the grind, leading to a sense of monotony and frustration.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Some areas can feel tedious fighting through, especially on higher difficulties.”
- “The large maps are particularly annoying because it's easy to get lost and likely super tedious to find all the secrets and enemies, for any completionists.”
- “The game has a habit of leaving large gaps between autosaves, especially in later levels, given that each level can take between 20 to 30 minutes to finish. This can lead to long stints of retreading old ground on death, which can get tedious after a while.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some feeling a deep connection to themes of personal struggle and societal issues, while others find it lacks genuine emotional impact. Players describe experiences ranging from feeling like a true American to being immersed in a whimsical yet absurd world, with some noting moments of humor and silliness that contrast with darker undertones. Overall, the game seems to evoke a range of emotions, from nostalgia and reflection to lighthearted fun, but not all players find it deeply moving.
- “Most emotional anime adventure I ever embarked on.”
- “Few pieces of art have made me shed a tear.”
- “It’s like if a man and a woman didn’t have a baby and in fact went through a long sorrow-filled divorce which ended up hurting not only them but their loved ones around them, to which the man resorts to alcoholic coping mechanisms and the woman becomes a homie hopper in hopes that maybe one day, no matter how many men she gets with, they’ll never fill the hole in her heart. Slowly but surely, they both end up ruining their own lives over a heartbreaking tragedy between the two - except it’s actually nothing like that and it’s just a really epic game.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Character development in the game is marked by a mix of stylized and exaggerated designs that resonate well with players, though some characters may miss the mark. The humor and art direction contribute positively to the overall experience, enhancing gameplay enjoyment, while the character designs evoke nostalgia reminiscent of the Postal series. However, some players find the humor outdated and occasionally cringe-worthy, despite appreciating the creativity and variety in character and weapon designs.
- “It has a sometimes fine sense of humor, character designs which are mostly hits with one or two misses, great feeling weapons, and a neat little art style.”
- “Art direction, sound design, character design, music, and level design all culminate into incredibly fun gameplay!”
- “But I want to give the developers credit when it comes to the character designs, humor, and overall pace; they gave me a damn good chuckle and the final boss soundtrack was stellar.”
- “Only the theme itself, including protagonist and character designs, makes you feel 'a bit' like playing one of the Postal series.”
- “Nor did the character designer for that matter.”
- “It has a sometimes fine sense of humor, character designs which are mostly hits with one or two misses (Sirenhead...), great feeling weapons, and a neat little art style.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, leveraging nostalgia without offering substantial value. Many reviewers suggest that it feels like a quick attempt to profit from the "boomer shooter" trend, recommending potential players to wait for significant discounts before purchasing.
- “Just a cash grab using the Postal name. The game was okay, but there are literally thousands of games just like this. I wasn't really impressed.”
- “I have played my fair share of this new wave of 'boomer shooters' (I hate that term), and I find that most are just an easy cash grab monetizing nostalgia.”
- “This is a cash grab at best, and I'd recommend saving your money on this for a 90% sale if you're looking for that style of game.”