Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Postal Plus delivers an unapologetically chaotic first-person shooter experience that hinges on over-the-top violence and dark humor. The base game, Postal, introduces players to the infamous “Postal Dude,” who embarks on a rampage through a city rife with hostile civilians, law enforcement, and bizarre wildlife. The expansion, Postal: Special Delivery, builds on this by offering additional levels, weapons, and enemies, expanding the gameplay loop rather than reinventing it.

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At its core, Postal Plus offers simple mechanics: run, gun, and unleash mayhem. Weapons range from handguns and shotguns to the ludicrously named “Kitty Cannon,” each delivering comic-book gore accompanied by cartoon sound effects. Ammo scarcity can be punishing, forcing players to scavenge or improvise with melee weapons such as shovels and baseball bats. The result is a tense, unpredictable combat rhythm that rewards both cautious planning and brazen aggression.

The expansion pack, Special Delivery, introduces new set-pieces and mission objectives that twist the formula just enough to keep things fresh. Escort missions, timed demolitions, and multi-stage levels require more strategic navigation than the base game’s straightforward run-and-gun loops. While still unapologetically violent, these additions help offset any sense of monotony that might arise from repeating the same few dozen environments.

Multiplayer aficionados will find limited but entertaining offerings. Deathmatch and team-based modes allow for up to a handful of players to duke it out in fan-favorite maps. However, the small online community and dated netcode can result in laggy sessions. For those with modding know-how, however, third-party patches and community maps extend Postal Plus’s lifespan significantly, showcasing the devoted cult following the franchise has amassed over the years.

Graphics

Graphically, Postal Plus is a time capsule of late-1990s 3D design, complete with blocky environments, low-polygon character models, and rudimentary lighting effects. The visual presentation was once cutting-edge for its irreverent style, but it now reads as a retro throwback. Textures can appear blurry at higher resolutions, and many assets feel repetitive after extended play sessions.

Despite its technical limitations, Postal Plus’s art direction leans heavily into cartoonish exaggeration. Enemies wilt under showers of pixelated blood, and environmental hazards—like exploding barrels and electrified puddles—are color-coded with bold reds and greens. This stylized palette ensures that the game’s most graphic moments retain a sense of absurdity rather than realistic horror.

The expansion pack adds a handful of new enemy sprites and level tilesets, though these often reuse base-game assets in new configurations. While Special Delivery doesn’t overhaul the engine, it does pepper in fresh visual gags—such as raccoon enemies with tiny fez hats or flamethrower-wielding maniacs—which maintain the franchise’s satirical edge.

Overall, prospective buyers should temper expectations for modern fidelity. While Postal Plus offers nostalgic charm for veteran players, newcomers seeking detailed textures and dynamic lighting may find the visuals dated. Nevertheless, the game’s irreverent aesthetic and cartoon violence can still elicit laughter, especially when viewed through a retro lens.

Story

Postal Plus is not driven by a deep or intricate narrative; instead, it thrives on minimal storytelling scaffolding that serves as a backdrop for wanton destruction. The Postal Dude’s motivations are as nebulous as they are darkly comedic: each level begins with a cryptic headline teasing some new outrage in the city, giving players free rein to exact vengeance in the game world.

The expansion pack, Postal: Special Delivery, augments the thin storyline with mission briefings that parody pop culture and current events of the late ’90s. One level might satirize fast-food franchises gone awry, while another lampoons suburban malaise. These tongue-in-cheek setups frame the violence in an almost carnival-like atmosphere, emphasizing absurdity over emotional stakes.

Cutscenes are sparse, comprised mostly of static images or text screens accompanied by brief voice clips. This minimalist approach ensures the focus remains squarely on gameplay, but it also means that character development is virtually non-existent. The Postal Dude is a blank slate, serving as a stand-in for the player’s mischief rather than a fully realized antihero.

Ultimately, the story in Postal Plus is a vessel for satire and dark humor, not a narrative masterpiece. Players who value story-driven shooters may be disappointed, but those seeking an anarchic platform for comedic carnage will find the barebones plot perfectly sufficient. The game’s unapologetic tone and satirical vignettes provide just enough context to fuel the onslaught.

Overall Experience

Postal Plus delivers a polarizing experience that divides audiences between nostalgia-driven fans and modern gamers seeking polished mechanics. Its appeal lies in unhinged violence, irreverent humor, and straightforward FPS action. If you’re drawn to games that embrace controversy with cartoonish flair, Postal Plus offers a unique time-warp into the era when shock value ruled the gaming conversation.

On the downside, aging visuals, simplistic AI, and repetitive environments can wear thin after prolonged sessions. Multiplayer support is limited by small player pools and outdated netcode, though the modding community offers unofficial patches and custom maps that breathe new life into the package. Casual playthroughs of single-player content are best kept to shorter bursts to avoid fatigue.

For completists and retro enthusiasts, the inclusion of both the original Postal and Special Delivery expansion represents strong value. The combined content provides dozens of levels, diverse weaponry, and enough dark humor to satisfy fans of extreme satire. However, those seeking narrative depth or cutting-edge graphics should look elsewhere.

In sum, Postal Plus stands as a cult classic that rewards players with a twisted sense of humor and unrelenting chaos. Its outdated presentation may deter some, but for those hunting a hardcore retro shooter that refuses to take itself seriously, this compilation remains a noteworthy—and undeniably memorable—title.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10