This game works wonders in idea and the vibes of it but kinda sucks when it comes to the gameplay. The loading screens and the text between all the levels are amazing in setting this more serious tone, sorta feeling like that one blank theory album cover in the way its presented. The ending as well is one of my favorites in gaming and wonderfully ends the game with something that leaves you thinking and not being just a complete edge fest. Then there is actually playing the game. The gameplay sucks through and through, The diverse guns are really cool but actually using them is dreadful and boring. You just go into a stage and shoot same looking enemies that are quite literally just bullet sponges until they fall to the ground and you rinse and repeat this for every single level with very few diversity or change in the gameplay. the game is just unimaginably boring to play with the only saving grace about it being that it only lasts for maybe 2 hours. The game isn't difficult either so you're not really thinking while playing but instead just going through the motions till you've killed enough to people to progress. I enjoy the running with scissors team and the future postal games but this first one really is not a good game and is better to look back on and remember it as the first postal game rather then actually playing it.

It is fascinating seeing a game which would have been a run of the mill flash game that you play for a quick kick being a normal game that was released on retail on 97 (barely avoiding getting blamed for school shootings by being too niche)

Beyond that, its appeal is basically just that, the kick you get playing as unhinged mass murderer as he rambles with his internal monologue and funny quips, it had the potential on edging more into the more miserable atmosphere it gives, but they made their choice on going more for a comedy approach on its expansion packs and sequels.

its only 2 hours short, so it ends just when it starts to get old, I respect it.

The first Postal is a game that I feel is underrated in regards to what it accomplishes. What it accomplishes is a harrowing and unsettling atmosphere where the levels lack music, leaving the only sounds for the player to hear being the screams of those they've slain echoing through the wind and the sounds of their weapons.

When music does appear, it's all very droning and is paired with loading screens that feature grotesque artwork. The dude makes comments like in the other games but he's quite a bit more sadistic and uncaring in this game compared to later ones (and might not even be the dude himself if the file names tell us anything)

No hate to the later games intended but the first one is it's own beast, decidedly more horror in nature and less dark comedy.