Postal (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Postal Classic


caption=
publisher = Ripcord Games
developer = Running With Scissors
released=November 14, 1997
genre=Third-person shooter
modes=Singleplayer, Multiplayer
ratings=ESRB: M (Mature)
PEGI: 18+
OFLC: RC
platforms =Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS
media = CD-ROM
requirements = see System requirements
input = Keyboard

"Postal" is a computer game made by Running With Scissors and published by Ripcord Games in 1997. In 2003 there was a sequel, "Postal²". Director Uwe Boll has bought the movie rights for the series, and has produced a film of the same name.

General information

"Postal" is a 2D shooter with mainly isometric, but also some top-down levels featuring hand-painted backgrounds. Gameplay and interface are similar to first-person shooters of the time in most, but not all counts:

*Movement is always relative to the orientation of the player character ("Postal Dude"). The player therefore must always be aware of the direction the character is facing, which can be difficult on the isometric maps.
*There are eight weapon slots, each with a fixed amount of maximum ammo. The default weapon is a weak machine gun with unlimited ammo.
*Contrary to first-person shooters, however, the goal is not just to stay alive and reach the next level, but to kill a given percentage of the armed NPCs on the map. Only then the exit to the next level is activated.

There is no plot as such. The presence of a moving van on the first level suggests that the Postal Dude has been evicted from his home and is therefore "going postal", but no background story evolves during the game.

An add-on to the game called "Special Delivery" was made in 1998 which featured four new levels (department store, shanty town, earthquake zone and vacation resort), new characters, new sounds, new modes of play (co-op and a refined deathmatch). Original and add-on were released together as "Postal Plus" in 2001 and ported to Linux by Loki Software.

System requirements

Windows

Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 95

Minimum

* Pentium
* 16 MB RAM
* 4× CD-ROM drive
* 256-color SVGA (640×480)
* 16-bit Audio Card (Sound Blaster 16 or 100% Compatible)

Recommended

* Pentium 166
* 32 MB RAM
* 4× CD-ROM drive
* 256-color SVGA (640×480)
* 16-bit Audio Card (Sound Blaster 16 or 100% Compatible)

Linux

As stated on the official "Postal Plus" help file.

Minimum

* 133 MHz or higher CPU
* 16 MB or more of RAM
* 24 MB or more of available hard drive space.
* Any Video Card (with at least 256 colors at 640×480 resolution)
* 16-bit Audio Card (Sound Blaster 16 or 100% Compatible)

Recommended

* 300 MHz or higher CPU
* 64 MB or more of RAM
* 24 MB or more of available hard drive space.
* Any Video Card (with at least 256 colors at 640×480 resolution)
* 16-bit Audio Card (Sound Blaster 16 or 100% Compatible)

Macintosh

According to a review on MacGamer. [http://www.macgamer.com/features/?id=579]
*PowerPC
*16 MB RAM
*2× CD-ROM driveThe 2006 version included in the Postal Fudge Pack set has been recoded as Universal Binary, making it compatible with Intel Core Duo Macs.

References

* [http://www.gopostal.com/ Go Postal (NSFW)] : The official website

External links

*moby game|id=/postal|name="Postal"
* [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/postal "Postal"] at Metacritic:
* [http://www.ownt.com/the_state_of/violent_gaming/violent_gaming.shtm Interview with Vince Desi]