Title: Postal Redux
Available On: Windows, Mac, Linux, PS4
Developer: Running with Scissors
Publisher: Running with Scissors
Genre: Top-down Shooter
Official Site: https://runningwithscissors.com/?p=465
Release Date: May 20th, 2016
Where to Buy: Steam
A number of games over the years have had their fair share of controversy over in-game content… Games like Grand Theft Auto, Thrill Kill, Manhunt and of course…Postal. Postal originally released in 1997 and was actually called out by Senator Joe Lieberman over its violent content. The term “Going Postal” originates from a series of events going all the way back to 1986 where Postal workers shot and killed coworkers, managers, police and the general public. Essentially, it means becoming uncontrollably angry, to the point of violence. This is the basis of your journey as the Postal dude throughout the game. The objective here is not to secure stolen merchandise, build up your territory or fight your way out of hell. The objective here is to kill as many people as possible, cops and civilians included. In a time of the Trench Coat Mafia and Columbine, that kind of violence was a very taboo area to dabble in and the ending from the original game has been replaced in Postal Redux due to real world events.
Postal Redux is a very faithful recreation of the original game. Rick Hunter reprises his role as the Postal Dude. The graphics have been improved and they retain the look and feel of the original game which will bring a sense of nostalgia for returning players. All the 16 original levels have redrawn HD art, minus the elementary school ending which has been replaced with just “The End.” Due to the events at Sandy Hook Elementary school back in 2012, it’s understandable why this level was replaced. While I understand some expressed frustration about the change, I believe the potential backlash for not removing it could have been extreme. The controls have been approved upon as well, which makes Postal Redux much less tedious to play than it’s predecessor. In the original game, you would have to make sure the crosshair was right on an enemy to hit them as opposed to now just being able to aim in their general direction.
In addition to the end level being changed, a new one has also been added where you’ll find yourself on a killing spree at a carnival. This is where you finally get to make those scary clowns pay for being such a torment on your childhood… not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. Postal Redux also introduces a new “Rampage” Mode which was not in the original release. This mode is a bit more action-oriented than the campaign and will generate a score based on kill streaks, types of kills and weapons used. This mode will also provide you with a different ending than the campaign so be sure to play all the way through if you want to see it. As before, you’ll have plenty of weapons in your arsenal to do battle with including the brand new Magnum. The Magnum was my go to weapon for those heavily armored NPC’s as it took them out in as little as two shots. Some NPC’s may even still be alive after being riddled with bullets and you can either leave them be or hit the “execute” button and put them out of their misery.
At first, playing through Postal Redux, I had an immediate feeling of nostalgia. “Oh I remember this” and “That’s the voice of the same guy from the original.” It was fun to revisit something I remember from so long ago and Postal really made an impression on me when I was younger because a game like that hadn’t really been done before. When it comes to present time, however, video games and entertainment have come a long way. I know as a gamer now, I really crave a story that will cause me to have some emotional investment in what I’m doing. I want to have goals and objectives beyond just killing everyone. Now I’m not saying Postal Redux is a bad game for not offering this, I’m merely saying that for me, the experience as a whole is considerably different from when I first played it. After about 15 minutes of playing, I was ready to move onto something else.
To enjoy Postal Redux you really need to look at it for what it was during its time. If you’re a fan of the original, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy going through all the levels again just as I did for that stroll down slaughterhouse…errr memory lane. If you haven’t played the original and don’t mind shelling out the $14.99, then I’d say go for it, but remember… you’re pretty much playing a game from 1997 with some improvements. The real allure of Postal was the violence which now is not so much over the top. Just last week I watched the new show Preacher on AMC and saw several…Native Americans hanging from a tree in once scene with one clearly missing some of his scalps. Not long after that I played through the new Doom and found myself chainsawing enemies in half in full HD gory glory. So to do all that and then go and play a remastered game from 1997 with virtually no story and old time graphics… well it might not be for everyone.
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Have you played Postal Redux? If so what did you think? Be sure to let us know in the comments below and check back for future updates.
- Gameplay: Kill as many people as possible on each level. Pretty cut and dry
- Graphics: Upgraded from the original. Redrawn HD art along with animated loading screens
- Sound: Rick Hunter returns as the Postal Dude, Remastered soundtrack
- Presentation: Over the top and violent just like the original
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