POSTAL is one of those older games where the first thing that stands out is how deliberately extreme it is. I play as the Postal Dude, moving through a series of locations while fighting armed enemies and trying to survive. It is an isometric shooter from 1997, and the whole thing is built around fast combat, heavy weapons and a very dark sense of humour. The story is much less important than the action, which actually suits it because I can get into a level and immediately focus on shooting, moving and trying not to get surrounded.
The combat is still the main reason I enjoy it. There are nine weapons, including the shotgun, machine gun, grenades, mines, napalm launcher and heatseeking rockets, and they all give me different ways of dealing with groups of enemies. I have to watch my ammunition and health because rushing into every fight can get me killed surprisingly quickly. The enemies also have different weapons and behaviours, so I cannot always stand in the same place and shoot everything. I like that the game feels dangerous even though the basic controls are very simple.
The level design is another thing I appreciate. The campaign takes me through a variety of places, from ordinary residential areas to more heavily defended locations, and the hand painted backgrounds still have a certain charm. The current version also includes the original campaign along with content from Special Delivery and two levels that were originally exclusive to the Japanese release. There are also bonus challenge stages, which gives me something extra to play after finishing the main levels. That makes the modern version feel much more complete than just the original release by itself.
The biggest weakness for me is definitely the age. POSTAL has a very particular control style and presentation that takes some getting used to, even though the current version adds mouse and dual stick controls. The isometric viewpoint can make aiming and positioning feel awkward, especially when several enemies are attacking from different directions. The graphics are obviously very dated now too, and some of the levels can feel quite repetitive once I have spent enough time with them. I can appreciate the style, but I have to separate that from how comfortable the game feels to play today.
The violence and dark humour are also a huge part of what makes POSTAL what it is, but I think they can sometimes overshadow the actual game. The original release was deliberately controversial, and the developers clearly wanted the violence to be part of its identity. I do not think the shock value alone makes the game good, though. What keeps me interested is the actual shooting and the variety of weapons. If I take away the controversy, there is still a fairly straightforward action game underneath it, and that is what I judge it on.
I also like how little unnecessary progression there is. I am not spending hours building a character or unlocking skill trees. I choose my weapons, enter a level, deal with the enemies and try to make it through alive. That simplicity works well for me because I can pick it up without having to remember a huge number of systems. The extra challenge stages and achievements give me reasons to come back, but they do not get in the way of the main campaign. The fact that the game is free on Steam also makes the rougher parts much easier for me to accept.
Overall, POSTAL is a messy and dated shooter, but I think there is still something enjoyable underneath all the controversy. I like the weapons, fast combat, varied enemies and straightforward level structure, and the extra content in the current version gives me a decent amount to work through. The old controls, repetitive moments and dated presentation stop me from putting it anywhere near my highest ratings, but I still think it has enough personality to stand out. For me, it works best as a short burst of old school action where the simplicity is part of the appeal rather than something I expect to carry a huge modern campaign.
Rating: 7.9/10
