Though it’s a competent twin-stick shooter, the repetition and extreme edge of Postal Redux may make it a hard sell for some. If you want a wild anarchic ride from the top-down though, this might be the game for you.
Postal Redux
Developer: Running With Scissors
Price: $10
Platform: Nintendo Switch and PC
MonsterVine was supplied with a Switch code for review
If there’s one thing the Postal series is known for, it’s the insanely edgy tone the games have. Postal 2 balances the edge with some wonderfully weird humor, but its predecessor, the original Postal and Postal Redux, primarily leans into edge above humor. Your mileage will vary on how you react to this, but if you’re down with it, you’ll find a pretty fun twin-stick shooter.
In Postal Redux you play as Postal Guy, a guy who goes suitably postal. That’s really all the story there is, as the game lets you loose on an unsuspecting town of average weirdos. As the fed-up Postal Guy, your job is to mow down a set number of hostels, plus civilians if you’re feeling particularly unstable. It’s worth noting that killing civilians isn’t necessary, so you can choose to only go after hostiles pretty easily.
You get increasingly deadly weapons as the game goes on, plus a very edgy quote before each stage. I said “yeesh” a few times while reading the quotes, which is impressive since I embrace cringe for fun. There’s also a good deal of satire based around Western society as well, which is a bit dated but still pretty goofy. It’s easy to see why the series is controversial here, but if anything, I have to admire how dedicated to its tone Postal Redux is.
“ Redux includes the game, new levels, and Rampage mode, so there’s a good amount to do.“
The gameplay is pretty standard for a top-down twin-stick shooter. You’re dropped into a stage, given a number of hostiles to kill, and told to let loose. It can get pretty challenging, as there are stronger enemies as the game goes on. Though you have to use a variety of strategies to get through each stage, it all begins to feel a bit repetitive as the game goes on. I recommend playing it in bursts, as you’re likely to burn out if you play it all straight. Redux includes the game, new levels, and Rampage mode, so there’s a good amount to do.
Dying puts you back at the start of the level, which can make a few levels get a bit frustrating, but alternating strategies isn’t too hard in such a straightforward game. The controls feel natural and easy to use, making mayhem easier to act out than ever. I recommend playing it in bursts, as you’re likely to burn out if you play it all straight. Redux includes the game, new levels, and Rampage mode, so there’s a good amount to do.
Postal Guy’s voice is fantastic, as there’s a reason it’s become so iconic to hear Postal Guy say the edgiest stuff with his gloriously mellow voice. Some of the random quotes from civilians can be pretty fun too, as they’re delivered with more than enough ham to be entertaining. The visuals are mixed, as it can be hard to navigate the geography of certain stages due to the fairly flat artstyle.
The Final Word
If you’re open to some edge, Postal Redux is a fun, if not slightly repetitive, twin-stick shooter that knows what it is and embraces its tone. It’s not as goofy as Postal 2, but the humor present combined with the competent mechanics make it a perfectly fine game.
MonsterVine Rating: 3.5 out of 5 – Fair
