A Gruesome 'Masterpiece' | Postal Retrospective

[@rwsstudios]

Late to the party, but nice vid!

[@chipchap2]

Cool

[@marcuskleinmorelos7136]

Holy shit its the actual rws

[@mightyfeather8596]

Hell yeah

[@goingunderground8198]

Postal 2 PS5 release when? We be begging you bro. Give us Postal 2 for PS. I will sell my soul to Vince Desi if I have to.

[@rwsstudios]

@@goingunderground8198 it’s not even happening so there is no answer lol

[@stevenguitink5947]

I think with Japan, it's a case of several different factors: 1. Gun violence isn't really a thing over there, given the tight laws they have on firearm possession/acquisition. So the concept feels more distant from their reality. 2. Dark humour/Physical violence is surprisingly prolific. A number of their prominent comedians use violence as a tool in their skits. 3. The themes of Postal - the pressures of modern life, losing your mind to stresses - have a lot of resonance with Japanese people, given their ridiculous work culture/the expectation of conformity etc. So there was probably some personal resonance with Japanese players.

[@heypeterReal]

Those are some really sharp observations. A Japanese audience could definitely relate to wanting to go postal haha. Good work!

[@coldeed]

Japanese culture has transitioned from the Bushido influences from fight to the death to suicide to preserve some form of nobility. A culture built off of people believing their lives are nothing but tools of divine leaders can create that more martyr like behavior. Same thing is true looking at different Christian inspirations and behavior. Note I'm just talking on socital influences, so culture effects.

[@zerikane]

@@coldeed ​ I'm so glad there was connections made. I am interested in how specific societal influences could be shared or observed. The Bushido and Shinto influences were created to make homogenous behavior a social normative. You described plenty with martyrdom and authority as the main elements for those imposing cultures.

[@coldeed]

@@zerikane I think it helps make it compelling horror. When you have a society that understands those kind of pressures it makes the kind of insanity more understandable from a certain perspective. Understandable might be the wrong term, because it has that effect of warping something that's present in your society. To me that makes a lot of sense that it would have you know some fanfare in Japan. It also would make sense that I would have a lot less in America as times kind of gone on in religions a less felt part of the country, compared to radicalized ideologues doing it over some political or philosophical thing. Makes me regret that people didn't like hatred, because if people realized making fun of doomers was a good thing we'd probably have less doomers here now.

[@stevenguitink5947]

@@zerikane it’s also a case that Japanese people are expected to divide the identity between public and private masks. And never the two shall meet. When you go to work, you’re expected to fit into society, be a cog in the machine. It’s something I personally saw when I lived there. It’s also something I believe contributes to their unique societal problems like hikikomori or the extremity of violence when it does happen.

[@shelby5809]

I remember one of the devs said "we wanted an elementary school level because it was something unimaginable at the time" which breaks my heart in two

[@shelby5809]

oh. there it is.

[@JimBimBum]

i find it funny

[@shelby5809]

@@JimBimBum ...ok then...?

[@raging__rabbit]

@@JimBimBum heh… just a gwimpse into my dawk wealidy… 😈

[@kahonk269]

:((( Just goes to show how no matter what fiction may show, reality will always come up with something worse.

[@christopherwall2121]

If the USPS were so unhappy with this game's title reflecting on them, perhaps they could have considered doing more to improve work conditions at post offices before going right to threatening an indie game studio?

[@unoriginalperson72]

What!? Blaming others is way easier than actually doing an effort to change things.

[@christopherwall2121]

@@unoriginalperson72 "Really, anything's easier than solving real problems" -- Civvie-11 on this very topic

[@M-M-D-C]

Woah, hey now! That would cost money!

[@VilaToro64]

As i ex postal worker i understand the meaning of going postal the toxicity level in the work force is bad beyond measures

[@Phil.Anthropy]

​@VilaToro64 my mom in law did over the road night hauling, and even for as little amount of people she had to deal with she hated it.

[@justsomeguy8597]

i kinda like the Q as the suicide keybind. how easy it is to accidentally click that, almost like an unstable individual committing these acts, not sure when or if theyre going to take their own life too, as if its possible at any moment as the result of a split second decision.

[@FrankBlaskovich]

why are you putting so much thought into a fucking keybind 😭😭😭😭😭

[@justsomeguy8597]

@@FrankBlaskovich no idea i was bored probably 🗣

[@dumbass19172]

BRO MAN HAS A VISION LET HIM COOK

[@magic7398]

Bro cooked tho

[@hellothere3609]

These types of comments have me convinced that you're mentally ill too. All the power to you, bud.

[@succulentscarlie8700]

Every copy of American Psycho has a personalized skull

[@boombomb2257]

Lol

[@NightsIntoDreams777]

I do kinda miss that horror Postal 1 had in future entries

[@hoovy8081]

Christian Bale Skull

[@changvasejarik62]

Same

[@sauerkrautandonions]

Same, though it put a really big smile on my face when 4’s pacifist ending gave a nice big nod to the original.

[@markhirsch6301]

People believe brain damaged is more leaning to 1, but still having the overall goofy tone

[@Interesting_Indian]

I think postal 2 had alot of horror elements also the ambient soundtrack is creepy as fuck

[@FORCED_REASSEMBLY]

When people bring up violent things in video games, a lot of people bring up something like Manhunt, or even No Russian since you're killing innocents. Nothing will ever compare to seeing "THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL" as a level in a game like POSTAL. One of the darkest if not the single darkest thing I've ever seen in a video game.

[@ArvelDreth]

I mean that level may as well be a hallucination. It's a cutscene where no one gets hurt. I don't see how it's that dark.

[@YaGuyALT]

​​@@ArvelDrethI mean yeah we know that in retrospect but imagine being someone in 97 playing the game for the first time, spending the whole game wiping levels of people and then you see a level simply titled "The Elementary School." The implications of that, especially in a pre columbine world is INSANE

[@ArvelDreth]

@@YaGuyALT I think even in context it's more just initially shocking rather than exceedingly dark, considering that again literally nothing happens. The game I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream had already been released by 1997 and it already broached plenty of extremely fucked up subject matter, even showing depictions of Jewish children who had been the victims of Nazi human experimentation. Postal is coated in a layer of dark and absurdist humor, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is far darker and more serious and it was released two years earlier.

[@mungologgo5526]

I'd say there's stuff in manhunt 2 that rivals how dark Postal is. That game was just way too far sometimes.

[@TAttila84]

In Fallout you can actually kill children. I thing it was too much of a safe move from RWS to back down from the school massacre in Postal. If you go postal and edgy in your game do it without breaks and moral limitations, otherwise its really immersion breaking.

[@RapidPhantom293]

A little fun fact for some of those that don't know, in Postal 2 you don't play as the same character from the original, you technically play as his son "Postal Dude Jr" this is later confirmed when you go to visit his grave on Wednesday, so this does mean that the Postal Dude in the original had a son at least before he eventually passed away.

[@Elkantar_Rostorgh231]

Postal 4 later reveals that the Father's grave is someone else. The actual father is revealed late into the game.

[@DrewzRule]

​@@Elkantar_Rostorgh231 The person buried was Dude Jr's step dad

[@dantepizza6310]

Karen took his kid and his dog, it was the last straw as she also tried to take the house. Which explains the police in level one, they're trying to follow up on an eviction notice. That is, if you ignore the journal pages, yet it makes too much sense

[@unpotdefraisealacreme2405]

depend in P4, P.D. kill his father and is save by a girl which mysteriously disappear. Then in the final cutscene there's a big eye, a direct reference to the first game. P2/4 are in the head of Postal Dude. P4 pacific ending show that he finally heal... OR IS HE the "father" is just his demons

[@jollythewolf4998]

I feel like the “newborn” baby in the credits might simply symbolize that while postal dude couldn’t make himself harm children knowingly nothing stopped him from firing upon the unborn

[@DrMedicsGameSurgery]

On the topic of Christian Bale Skull you may not be thinking of "American Psyhco", but simply the movie "Psycho". In some but not mall cuts of the movie, at the end, a skull flashes over the face of Norman, the killer, translucently. He does not wield a chainsaw either but a Knife. perhaps this is what you are thinking of?

[@plotniski2822]

no way that´s awesome, do you have some resources for the scene?

[@JimmyHxx]

I first thought he meant that

[@jonathanhoumard2967]

I literally just came here to comment this lol!!! Fellow horror fan!

[@101Volts]

"In some but not *mall cuts* of the movie..." I get that this is a typo and that you meant *"all cuts* of the movie," but still, I gotta point it out.

[@DrMedicsGameSurgery]

@@101Volts sorry im dyslexic

[@neobrala5237]

Hey Peter, 53:44: "Countries that hate fun like Germany ban just about everything. So being banned there isn't a shocking revelation and more a badge of honor." Me, a german, quoting Marge Simpson: "It's true, but he shouldn't say it."

[@FrankBlaskovich]

its why im glad i moved out of germany and into canada... oh wait.....

[@Mantis_Toboggan_TrashMan]

Darkwood is another game I recall having everything feel off. No matter what you're looking at, it doesn't feel right. It's Eastern European.

[@neon3869]

Everything in Europe feels off on a rainy day where everyone's gone.

[@JohnGacey]

Darkwood is on completely different wavelengths then this game though. Postal is about a guy snapping on his delusions and taking it out on innocent people where as darkwood is like a weird hellish fever dream where the woods the game takes place in almost feel like a different dimension or plane of reality all together

[@abewright2201]

Great game

[@SunsetEnvy]

I love the Polish forest simulator

[@thefitnerd5116]

You know what is mildly ironic is the Uwe Boll made a Postal movie adaption, which was more in line with Postal 2, but then he made the movie Rampage, which was more like an honest adaptation of the original Postal.

[@heypeterReal]

@@thefitnerd5116 Uwe Boll is a legend for that

[@demitrischoenwald1436]

To be fair, in the more recent Postal 4 they did sort of bring back the mild horror factor with the introduction of the "shadowy figure", who depending on how you play the game will just be a guy who sells your trailer back to you with nothing interesting happening, or be a benevolent guardian angel/demon who gives Dude the car back without strings attached, with the feeling of dread being left as a bright red eye glares where the sun should be, hinting at something always watching the Dude.

[@shcdemolisher]

I do think it defiantly is some cosmic force of chaos. Neither evil or good as... what are even those things to a being like this?

[@Jester4460]

@@shcdemolisherit uses the postal one sound effect so it’s probably the demon

[@Joebidenprodutions]

All the games (exept for 3) have at least some horror

[@shcdemolisher]

@@Joebidenprodutions Yeah 3 leaned WAY too hard in comedy to the point that it just wasn't funny. And bad jokes and trying to be topical with the times.

[@BlueRGuy]

​@@Joebidenprodutions Postal 3 was a horror on itself due to how bad the game is

[@jonathanhoumard2967]

On the topic of the Christian Bale skull, I think you might be thinking about the scene where Norman Bates is also talking about killing a woman and a really subtle like 1% opacity skull comes over his face at the end of psycho. Which, easy to mix up. Bates and Bateman. Psycho and American Psycho.

[@MrSantiagoandDunbar]

It really isn't as subtle as you remember.

[@Diskhate]

Postal Redux is exactly like hearing a remastered version of that crustpunk/black metal/thrash album from the 80s. Sounds better, you can recognize every little sound etc ... but it's not the same thing.

[@heypeterReal]

I'll admit I've never heard the term 'crustpunk' before but thats an apt comparison. Its not that redux's ost is bad, its just that I think the original versions fit better and the recompositions don't emphasize the same feelings. Maybe its hindsight

[@Diskhate]

​@@heypeterReal It's a type of hardcore punk that took inspiration from bands like Bathory, Celtic Frost and the rest of what one could define "primordial black metal" ... just check "Deviated instinct - Terminal filth stenchcore" or if you want a single song "Deviated instinct - Stormcrow" for what i'd describe as quintessential crustpunk. I realise i'm speaking mumbo jumbo if someone doesn't have some previous insight in these topics tho lol.

[@unoriginalperson72]

Postal is the first game to actually be better low quality

[@heypeterReal]

@@Diskhate i listned to DI like you recommended, and I liked it! Reminds me a bit of Combichrist. Cheers for the suggestion

[@cwj2733]

@@heypeterRealdude i never even drew that comparison to combichrist. holy shit lol

[@jaydeem1264]

The boringness of the levels is kind of the point. If you did this in real life, would it be fun? Should it be fun? The Dude is very clearly not having fun. You keep moving, and shooting, bleeding and hiding and killing. Its a total dread game. Its slow and wretched. Remember that the Dude belives he is defending himself. If it was fun, nothing would make any sense. It makes you question why any of it is necessary, no ones having fun, everyone is just nauseated and scared. Noone has any answers, at the very least the player and honestly the devs dont have an answer ether. It has something to say about war, video games, mental health, our boundaries with media, the modern mass shooting crisis... but the thing is i dont think a lot of these were considered about or at least thought about in depth by RWS. The dullness, boringness, and confusion are essential for the art. This is why, to me, no current analysis or interpretation on Postal has clicked with me entirely so far. Damn I love this game. Christian Bale's skull, that was probably present in a few airings of American Psycho

[@ImperialCaleb]

no analysis has clicked for you so far because you're a painfully pretentious manchild

[@surrcram]

The message could essentially change if the player is having fun with the gameplay, it essentially means participating in the senseless violence that the devs purposely hammed up to create the most violent game ever to spite people back then who were having issues with games like mortal kombat and doom. They strived to make the ultimate fucked up game, at least what they thought that was in 1997.

[@jerodwolf5582]

I guess that makes sense, but if you are too bored by the experience, and if you aren't a masochist, you are more likely than not going to ignore the deeper meaning behind the art. It's like if you watch the Lord of the Rings, but instead if having a grand journey with unique characters and development, it's as if Frodo walked to the mountain with the trouble being the need to sleep

[@jaydeem1264]

​@jerodwolf5582 In this case, the game play and the narrative are working together to make a point. In Lord of The Rings, the actions taken by our main characters while difficult to them are absolutely the correct thing to do so watching them is fun. In Postal, the actions of the Dude are as totally violent and frivolous as they get. Following something like that in no way should be fun, if it was it would almost be an endorsement of his actions. This is amplified by the fact that we are the ones in control of the Dude, making him do these things. Since the message of the game is against his actions the choice to commit them should not be fun.

[@vykskul]

Hotline Miami is fun Postal

[@crusixblade2852]

I have to say, the idea the coffin in redux is the dude's child is, at least personally, the most grim interpretation to me. Head canon as it may be as a theory, if it is the postal dude as the funeral and with the dairies about the hate virus? The fact the wife isn't at the house, the dog house is empty, and the dude himself viewing himself as some sort of hero is just depressing.

[@thundergod8725]

My theory, For the mine specifically the intro I believe is a play on spiders. Treating all the enemies and civilians like insects trapped in his web. It could also be in reference to the fact that spiders have many eyes but poor vision, playing on the fact that the dude is a war torn veteran who can’t discern the difference between friendly or enemy.

[@doom3926]

I don’t have the stomach go play these kinds of games myself but learning about them is always super fascinating. Whatever I personally feel about playing games like these, I think it’s important for them to exist, especially these days where peoples’ complaints about certain themes in video games are becoming progressively more trivial.

[@YouMakeMyMotorRun]

Maybe... the level where you're the one starting the hostilities is trying to tell you something. My theory is that said level is especially tough because you're supposed to feel bad in it. You're supposed to be defeated... it's a level that's telling you, you're the bad guy. And once you've moved past it, all connection to reality vanishes and everything is "easier"

[@ignightroad]

So, I'm a 32 year old female, and when Postal came out, I didn't have a computer of my own. I was too afraid to even ask for the Sims because it was T for Teen and I was only 12 (lol). Anyways, flash forward to two years ago. I'd heard of the series but never played it. My younger bro sat me down and let me watch him play some of 3. I ended up getting hooked. Civvie, KZbin essays, walkthroughs (I have issues playing games from severe arthritis)--I loved it all. For Christmas of last year, I ended up buying my brother the steam deck cover and both Postal Dude plushies. He absolutely loves them. it's kinda funny to think such a dark series ended up being the thing we bonded over, but as someone who just lived in AZ for 18 months and moved back home to the east coast, it was really funny. In Arizona, there's a saying that's like 'this is the heat that makes you crazy and mad for no reason'. Idk. Maybe you just want your trailer and dog back. Anyways, fantastic video and I'm so glad I got to listen to your thoughts and commentary as a fellow fan. It's stuff like this that keeps the series alive and brings more attention to it for new players. AND, wink wink, the steam summer sale's going on, so now's the perfect time for folks to try it real cheap and support the devs!

[@heypeterReal]

I really appreciate those kind words. There's something about dark media that helps people connect - maybe its because we can so easily bond over fear and violence because its such a base human instinct. Something about The Postal Dude going nuts makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, in a strange sense.

[@Nikolai1939]

That's wholesome

[@sacha9957]

This is what I've been looking for. Postal 1's horror deserve to be talked about more. Along all the details like even just the main menu being... wrong.

[@alanwie3914]

The best thing Redux did was changing the Junkyard level so that you actually start right next to the mine entrance.

[@williamjarvis3295]

Christian bale skull and i can confirm that there isn't a skull in that scene

[@a_shogun_named_satan]

"They are isn't..." lol

[@datoaster4991]

It was probably composite and/or VHS atifacting

[@georgebaynard4096]

Or he's confusing the skull in Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock) and that bit from American Psycho

[@pish9735]

@@a_shogun_named_satan that’s “they’re” brother not there

[@Whiterunguard455]

​@@pish9735 he edited the comment bro

[@xavierparis2789]

Christian Bale and the non-crystal, mostly transparent Skull.

[@cascadianrangers728]

The fact that half of the people who went postal back in the day were Vietnam veterans probably has A LOT to do with the violence. For those that didn't know the veterans and many other government employees like working for the post office after they get out because the time they spent there can be added on to their military years meaning they can retire very early under very favorable conditions. The photograph of the postal dude clutching his AK and he left the corner he's clearly wearing an m65 field jacket, jungle combat boots and it looks like all of drab fatigue pants these are all military issue clothing he probably still has left over from his time in service it's unmistakable

[@swr.nezumi]

christian bales skull is kinda crazy, definitely the most controversial feature of postal 5

[@thecitrine1675]

The art of Postal 1 always reminds me of the art of Disco Elysium, absolutely beautiful game that shows the broken mind of an amnesiac detectice who loves elicit substances. A very good choice for a postal fan for the dark themes and humour.

[@idkwhoiam6219]

I really want more games that take you this far into sheer unhinged madness, madness that isnt watered down for the average man with his mind still intact. The unapologetic violence with no holding back with the perspective of the bad guy/madman always drew me in.

[@hellothere3564]

"What? You don't sell Postal?"

[@heypeterReal]

@@hellothere3564 what do you mean this lane is closed? Now it is!

[@changvasejarik62]

“Would You Like to Sign My Petition?” Make President play entire Postal series. 1. 2. 3.

[@igottapeemann]

Not 3.

[@Walrus-yq6uh]

@@changvasejarik62 Look, just sign the stupid petition. I got stuff to do.

[@The24thWight]

Signed.

[@Grinner_J]

My favorite song that was released by the band, "A Fall to Break," for Postal's 25th Anniversary is "Gone Postal." The metal music is incredible, along with the emotional lyrics describing the 1st Dude as really believing that everyone else is infected with hate and greed, and genuinely having a demon in his head that puts evils and lies into his mind. My favorite, and I believe the most important part, of the lyrics are these three lines of the chorus: "You took me away Turned me into something The light wouldn't save."

[@washurpaws]

the christian bale's skull scene in the junk yard level was so crazy. how did they get the rights to include that in this game

[@spartanseth7392]

Christian Bale Skull. Now, some of my personal thoughts I would like to add. 1: Regarding the ending, another thing that adds to the horror/sadness of it is the line "He may think of himself as a hero." Its not unlikely that the postal dude thinks he FAILED. That, even though he was supposed to save the world - he FAILED because he couldn't muster the "courage" to do... "finish the job". Imagine being the only person tasked with saving the world, and failing - only that your "punishment" is not death, but to live in the world you failed to save. Being stuck in a prison you can not escape. As the people you detested and wanted to destroy - seemingly mock you by constantly watching you. Every day. All day. 2: A way to interpret the game (that i'm certain was not intended due to it simply not really having much of a "presence" in the public conscious back in that day) is now how...well... the postal dude could be a plant. A plant by the federal government/deepstate. Postal Dude is able to seemingly defy all odds. I mean, he starts with a fully automatic weapon (the graphics make it unclear what it is, be it an SMG or an assault rifle) - something that in America, is not exactly something even seasoned gun owners can easily acquire. The theory (as in, the IRL aspect) is that federal agents/the deepstate will find and groom mentally unstable individuals, to suit their needs (popular arguments being for gun control, and to help with false flag attacks to justify many things.) They will then give these people a large amount of weapons & ammunition, and convince them that doing a heinous act is actually the only way to actually "help the world." This could also explain the "infinite ammo" he has for it. The "WE" he keeps talking about could be the federal agents secretly helping him from the shadows. The whole aspect of the "Demon" and "war journals" and the sort can also fit in how its said that the manifesto's are pre-written by the agents/deepstate themselves. The postal dude being a plant by the deepstate that went horribly wrong (even by the intentions of the government) is an interesting way to look at the story.

[@prolixin]

that could make sense, it's probably more so head canon because i doubt RWS thought of that but i do really like this explanation. it actually goes along with the theory of the Postal Dude being a war veteran. maybe the Dude had untreated schizophrenia that was activated by PTSD after his time in the war and the government decided to use him after his condition become more severe. i think that works pretty good.

[@NatsumiTakanawa]

What a dumb interpretation lol

[@prolixin]

@@NatsumiTakanawa my bad dawg, i was a little faded when i wrote that 😭

[@heypeterReal]

►Music in order of appearance: Map Muzak - Postal 2 Cave of the Past - Earthbound Prelude - Final Fantasy 7 Intro- Postal Museum of Agony - Stretch Panic Home - Postal Bamboo - Indigo Parallel Scare Shadow - Saya no Uta The Truckstop - Postal Schizophrenia - Saya no Uta The Outskirts - Postal Parade of Disasters - Postal Sinvelak - Ratchet and Clank 2: Going Commando The Bridge - Postal The Mine - Postal The Junk Yard - Postal The Trailer Park - Postal The Train - Postal The Farm - Postal The Construction Site - Postal River Twigz Bed - Super Paper Mario The Ghetto - Postal The City - Postal Central Park - Postal Hyuponia Ruins Ruins of Sadness - Klonoa 2 The Industrial Complex - Postal Air Force Base - Postal City in the Sky - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess The Elementary School - Postal Credits - Postal Outro - Postal The Docks - Yume Nikki Luca - Final Fantasy X The Day of Night - Silent Hill 2 Bakbakwalanooksiwae - La Névrose April Guitar - Hylics Window - Tyler, The Creator (Instrumental) Intro - Postal Redux Mystery - Harvester Temporomandibular Grind - Postal Redux Eeriness - Virtue's Last Reward Monochrome Memory - Under Night in-birth 4 the beginning - 'the/coronation day Quinary Game - 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors Prevailing Westerlies - Hylics 2

[@BNK2442]

I knew that I recognize a song from the Saya no Uta soundtrack! Respect!

[@basselsabubgarcia9195]

Thanks for adding this song list, I really appreciate the time and effort it takes for the music to fit your videos.

[@sir380]

Bro I knew I heard window in there somewhere. It really fits this game.

[@heypeterReal]

@@sir380 theres something about that song that just meshes well with so many games. I get a lot of early ps2 vibes from it in a way I can't explain. I just think about Zanarkand from FFX

[@dakotafontaine1485]

Heart nearly jumped out of my chest when i heard the saya no uta song. two of my favorite things in one : )

[@RealCursedJazz]

1:18:18 The theory regarding the person in the coffin being the dudes son stems from the Easter egg when beating the game on nightmare, as outside the church fence a playground can be seen on the outside. It also stems from the child's laughter when approaching the coffin. Those factors plus the man and woman stood around the coffin really gave the implication that its the funeral for their kid or the dudes kid in this case. The theory also does provide a bit of context for the game itself with the dudes reason for moving to a crappy little hut in paradise being he's moved out and divorced with his wife following the incident. The 'pressure of modern life' and the mourning of his loss and divorce provides meaning for his breakdown.

[@kaidynj2535]

6:25 didn't expect a hylics reference. Was a nice touch considering the game you are covering.

[@atlanticman962]

The skull on Christian bale is a real postal moment. Remember when he starts posting all over

[@willyween6933]

1:05:00 I’d have to disagree. At least with the statement that it isn’t the best. The way I see it. Postal 1 is the absolute best when it comes to capturing utter psychosis. I think that the visuals and context behind the whole experience does so much heavy lifting that it’s actually impressive how it manages to coherently weave a story of an incoherent mental breakdown of an individual who quite possibly has nothing left to do but snap. I also like that it leaves the “why?” aspect of the story incredibly open ended despite trying to explain his thought process in the redux. Yourself and many others have theorized that the Dude is being controlled, told what to do, or possibly even possessed by a so called “demon.” I like to think that the Dude’s whole narrative is him still trying to justify what he does after he finally snaps. The game is named postal for a reason. It’s just a guy who was driven to the edge, and then felt he had no other option than to succumb to violence and depravity, and his subsequent accounts of his actions he doesn’t want to rationalize and deem them horrible without at least having a greater purpose. Sometimes looking at things where you’re just reading a bit deeper into them, but not entirely trying to read between the lines is the way I prefer to do things. Specifically with this game. Losing cognitive function, sense of reality, and virtually any sensory ability is a MASSIVE fear of mine. Brain injury is so scary to me, Alzheimer’s is horrifying, and this game here harps on my fear of losing your sense of reality (I think this all stems from a time when I was having a lot of problems with my dad. He would get drunk every night, and I thought “what if he falls and hits his head reeeaaally bad?” then I started to visualize him acting like a two year old as a fucking 50 year old man… those clueless eyes, and deadpan lack of expression until they are able to acknowledge being acknowledged… that taking longer than it should.) It is the concept of losing yourself. That is what scares me. So this game has always been an A+ for me, because it scares the shit out of me, no joke.

[@postaldude9779]

Grandma's are like aged cheese, they're gooey and moldy all in the right places

[@roachdoggjr1454]

Huh!?

[@postaldude9779]

@@roachdoggjr1454 that succulent granny snatch freakier than a two legged serpent sucker

[@ghoulbuster1]

Yummy.

[@electricfishfan]

If you say so.

[@casanovafunkenstein5090]

In terms of games with a similar visual vibe to the aspects you highlighted in this review, the following come to mind: Paratropic Darkseed (the first one, where everything is either brown or cold, bluish grey) Pathologic Grim Fandango (ignoring the character models and just focusing on the environmental design, especially the brief section where you travel to the world of the living) Thief (mainly in terms of how much time you spend in fairly mundane castle/mansion environments, only for them to start becoming really trippy and strange) Legacy of Kane: Blood Omen Barotrauma I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream

[@herekongato]

The part about the music at 40:00 just blew my mind. I played these games for years, beaten them multiple times and never noticed that.

[@beccawaltz7591]

My dad remembers the postal events since he was a postman for over 20yrs. I think he worked as one from the 90s and I remember him switching to security in my teens. He was a really great postman and mostly walked on foot. I also don’t know why but it makes me feel uncomfortable that the game takes place not even a month after I was born…there’s also the fact a private Christian school I attended went through a shooting (I heard 2 shots) and didn’t even say a word to our parents. It’s strange how many points in time in my life relate somehow to the game.

[@RockoEstalon]

Something worth mentioning about postmans is that the Son of Sam was a Postman.

[@Nalyd.3]

The end of the game is literally days before I was born It's eery to think about.

[@YaGuyALT]

Big props to OP for mentioning that remake is not as creepy as original, i dont like how people act like remake replaces original 1 wholesale when it just isnt as fucked up and eery to play and experience as the original 97 release

[@BrunoSantos-jp1lv]

"OP" 🤢🤢🤢

[@halfbakedchannel6065]

Redux misses the mark in so many ways.

[@gavyncarter9461]

Saying op unironically is the most terminally online thing I have ever heard 😂😂

[@dkskcjfjswwwwwws413]

@@gavyncarter9461 blud must be from ohio or somethang!

[@darthbooman]

@@dkskcjfjswwwwwws413 language is truly something

[@postaldude9779]

We dont have enough krotchy money, vince originally wrote the krotchy saga before postal

[@wiperout1244]

The postal 1 main menu soundtrack sounds like the twisted metal black main menu

[@Ozzedwall]

At 27:20 the first thing that came to my mind was the fact that some bugs do eat corpses. Butterflies drink blood, flies eat flesh as do clown beetles and numerous other insects. The web refers to the food web perhaps? Or just to spiders in general? Maybe the connection between death and the bugs?

[@rainbowpils3404]

As someone from Germany, I can totally confirm the government hating games and fun in general.

[@loserinasuit7880]

We let you have fun in the 1930s and decided never again.

[@peepnog]

It's always nice to see new videos on the Postal franchise, excellent video so far! Love the channel man, keep it up!

[@Howdoyouchangepf]

Christian Bale’s Skull 💀

[@BSOE3058]

Why wouldn't Peter believe we can watch past 32 minute

[@c_Lutch]

I wasn’t expecting to get an appearance! I greatly appreciate your coverage on mine and any other’s takes on the Postal OST. It was a lot of fun to do and it makes me happy knowing that we can all share in this small demented game

[@BernieVtuber]

I know why you see his face turn into a skull. so it actually DOES happen but not how you think his face doesn't deliberately turn into a skull. The lighting on his face turns dark on one side which makes it so you can't see his actual eyeball, only the dark outline of his eye socket. and that's what makes his face look like a skull. it happens JUST before the camera cuts to the woman running after the close up of Bale's face.

[@Mr.Hollywood]

I like your style, my negga. Damn smooth

[@HollowCats]

Very fitting of you to include Saya no Uta soundtrack in this. I thought of that visual novel the moment I saw Postal's title screen Christian Bale's Skull

[@FREDDY420]

I was eating when I first opened postal and the music literally made my stomach turn and I totally lost my appetite lol

[@StevenJShow]

1:20:33 Jacob's Ladder is a good film that captures the look, and the mental collapse. I'd also say Seven, Fight Club, The Crow.

[@TheSelfCenter]

I just discovered you and I absolutely love your style of narration! I also noticed you either have no ads or very minimal ads, which im sure is a sacrifice for you as I make videos myself, but it definitely enhances the viewers' experience. ☺️✨

[@josephkeen7224]

For the journal entries and the voice lines. I saw it as him trying to make quips as a way to cope with what he’s done, kinda like Deadpool in how he uses it to distract from his pain if that makes sense. (Christian Bales skull)

[@fbmb1337]

Ok actually the Drakengard comparison with Postal 1 is something I never even considered, even as a filthy Drakengard apologist. >Both involve copious amounts of murdering as the main gameplay, yet despite being the focus both arguably condemn it (to different extents) >Both have a way darker tone than any of it's sequels, while also having arguably the least consistently fun gameplay out of them. >Both have unconvensional, haunting soundtracks that shouldn't fit their genre but certainly fit the mood. >And both have a sequel that's largely ignored by it's creators and fans due to the lack of involvement from the core creators (Postal 3 and Drakengard 2), while also having a spinoff that's arguably a more solid game all around while keeping bits and pieces of it's original identity. (Braindamaged for Postal and Nier for Drakengard). Yoko Taro and Vince Densi collab when, lets make it happen guys.

[@heypeterReal]

Yoko Taro and Vince Desi need to link up like James Gunn and Suda51 did. I really need to secure a copy of Drakengard..

[@shcdemolisher]

@@heypeterReal I think I remember seeing one of the cutscenes from that first game where a character get eaten by giant babies. It was on youtube back in the day.

[@tjones9097]

Isn’t Drakengard that game where you fight a bunch of giant flying babies?

[@katiemckinney9456]

@@tjones9097 Giant flying babies that are eldritch beings sent by God to wipe out humanity.

[@shcdemolisher]

@@tjones9097 I think so!

[@hereszag]

38:23 its not the man from the ghetto level i think its just an innocent pedestrian on his knees screaming and praying, hoping the postal dude doesnt kill him cuz u know the postal dude is scizho so he takes everything as a threat

[@four-en-tee]

I guess making a Postal video is just a rite of passage at this point on KZbin

[@halfbakedchannel6065]

RWS will never have the same edge to do something so controversial, yet pushing the envelope. Such as Christian Bale's Skull

[@Painocus]

I really wore myself out on South Park-esque humour at some point so the sequels never really resonated with me (although Brain Damaged might possibly be more my speed?), but Portal 1 is such a singular little piece of atmosphere and artistic expression. I agree with the 90's-ness adding to it. I even like playing it in the original resolution, since it makes it feel like something that might have been copied on VHS or captured with a camcorder at the time. The "interactive liveleak" thing you mentioned. (You mentioned hating "analogue horror", but man I'd like to see how Postal would look with an actually realistic VHS filter, on top of a CRT-filter for old-times-sake.) I do wish there was an option to play without as many funny "demon" quips, and silly victim lines. I'm wondering if it would add to or take away from the atmosphere. I've heard that the new victim voice-lines for the Japanese version are more naturalistic and less silly, so maybe there is an easy way to just swap 'em out if true. For something with similar feel to the artstyle as the games you mentioned I'm suggesting the games by Harvester Games (most known for The Cat Lady), but most specifically the original 2009 version of Downfall (not it's later remake in the same engine as it's two more famous sequels). Also never saw no Christian Bale Skull.

[@shcdemolisher]

Oh a postal Analog horror would be VERY interesting to explore! Great horror potential there.

[@CatholicBukkakeOfficial]

​@@shcdemolisherAgreed! I am a big time fan of violent and psychological media like this, so an analog horror of postal would be amazing. Maybe it could be an analog horror of actually being able to see the demon that makes him go postal, and it could be a sort of a snuff film type analog horror.

[@shcdemolisher]

@@CatholicBukkakeOfficial Yeah!! Especially with the demon concept part of it that could really add some good horror moments. Good amount of body horror with the violence, and visions of Hell that the Demon is from. Tainting the mind of Postal Dude, no longer able to tell what is reality anymore, and no matter WHAT injury he gets, the demon keeps reviving/healing him. Wanting the continue of the slaughter.

[@FiggsNeughton]

16:51 It's probably his CIA handler watching him, making sure his MK ULTRA conditioning is functioning properly.

[@BucketBoatable]

The hate virus story makes sense if postal 1 dude is the father of dude 2 and its a prequel

[@brocksims7772]

The hylics snap was a nice touch

[@devin6420]

Oh hey a good quality video, popped out of me out of the algorithm out of nowhere, a nugget of corn amidst the slopp it keeps delivering me I will treasure this You've earned a subscriber

[@tenslein8977]

I really liked your section talking about the Zero G song. It reminded me of a Super EyepatchWolf video.

[@N0rbertas9]

32:41 why is there like 2 frames of the postal dude sitting in the jeep in garrys mod LOL postal is a very interesting game though, it really does feel like a creepy lost game that you would read a creepypasta about. Great video!

[@DjDeadpig]

Postal is just how a 4channer sees the world on weed.

[@Damonnanashi]

*meth Gotta get those "health" pipes.

[@heypeterReal]

You sure it isn't a health pipe?

[@SwimSwimHungry]

normalGOD... 4chan is just porn addicts and bots, all the actual good posters left because jan jans leaked at the thought of fun

[@amandacartagena4721]

it 100% is a health pipe, anyone who says otherwise is just jealous they cant have it

[@kukuV.3]

Hey that's insensitive I don't even smoke weed

[@CaptainBleysFire]

wanna know a fun fact? my dad apparently used to play this game a lot (i don't know when but probably late 90s or like early 2000s), also unrelated but i just think the older loading screens of the original and original versions the songs are just scarier in my opinion

[@electricfishfan]

Tell your dad hi for us.

[@SophiaOyler]

You have irrevocably programmed my neurons to activate whenever I hear Chuck Salamone's guitar.

[@Bigpaperball]

36:49 was it like, on air? Or on a dvd/vhs version???

[@mirukuchan]

Thanks for showing me postal 📯

[@fruitfest5767]

Christan Bale’s Skull rant was very funny

[@Omega_M1]

Christian Bale’s Skull… Also Great video. I also recently played this game for the first time and thought it was pretty fun (Also I heard you mention who’s Lila, I love that game and would love to see you review it).

[@YIKWYM123]

this video is CRIMINALLY underrated, you did an excellent job at explaining and theorizing everything about this game.

[@bobafett1569]

Lol I love both postal 1 and 2 they are essential pc games for me

[@xxarcangelxx143]

I definitely feel that the 1st postal game is definitely a psychological type of thing. It's meant to be analyzed. You could even say the repetition is on purpose as to bring you to a similar feeling before the dude went postal. Idk, just spit balling ideas.

[@osamajj6]

every upload gets better

[@Markm8]

I think redux is still pretty sick

[@fanboyofabandonedthings481]

Honestly the nightmarish art style and soundtrack make this one of the most fascinating games to me, especially since it’s much more well known and beloved sequel, Postal 2, and even the other games that came afterwards, are completely tone-ally different, with much more of a comedic edgy style, which I don’t dislike and thinks fits what those games are going for, makes this game stand out among the bunch. Postal is like something that’s so horrific that you wanna look away, but yet…you just keep looking and watching

[@Songbearer]

This and Carmageddon made my childhood very special. I mean terrifying and confusing, sure, but... special.

[@Songbearer]

Also "Construction" was the demo map that came on CDs way back when, so it has a place in my heart.

[@MotherGapshin12]

I wish we had more Postal 1-style games that fully go into the pure void disturbingness and uncompromising ugliness and grittiness. Postal 1 especially in this day and age is even more scary considering the QAnon and general political paranoia and conspiracy theories being openly shared and promoted on social media, Postal 1 in my opinion is the story of mentally ill religious conspiracy theorist who has been neglected and let down by his community, a story very real and true for many rural american communities. I sort of remember this quote from Manhunt games "Real America is mentally ill, unemployed, impoverished, left behind, neglected, violent and lashing out" I thought it kinda fit Postal 1's description.

[@nikolaitheundying]

You're postal dude was actually the Postal chud and he goes on his murder spree because Trump lost and the woke are taking over.

[@intensegamerrage]

If you want to write a game totally out of touch with a supermajority of people who exist outside the highly insular front page of Reddit, which this comment would fit in perfectly with, sure. I for one would rather not be portrayed as a Postal dude for the crime of existing outside a terminally online clique. It really says a lot more about you that you imply you believe normal people are capable of being brainwashed and neglected into these actions en masse

[@intensegamerrage]

​@@nikolaitheundyingdon't know why your comment only just now appeared, but that's a much more direct way of putting it. This game would be total leftoid paranoia garbage if released today, similar to how they were begging for a screening of Joker to get shot up

[@nikolaitheundying]

@@intensegamerrage my comment ain't even showing up for me lol

[@intensegamerrage]

@@nikolaitheundying never mind, not showing up again. This censorship is bs

[@forsaille4655]

Postal redux Rampage mode is one of the best stress relief I’ve ever experienced. Watching ennemies folding one after one to the sound of *Improvise explosive devices* is a kind of experience that I have not felt since Hotline Miami

[@plotniski2822]

39:50 Brother, I paused the video found a reddit post about this, came back and then you mention this aswell. Boom- new subscribe, no questions asked

[@harronator-2670]

Reminds me a lot of cruelty squad. I think Cruelty Squad occupies a similar space that this game did when it first came out.

[@oranch6972]

You mentioned that you'd like to see another game that captures the feel of postal, funnily enough i have been trying to recreate the feel and style for my game, which i have titled "Deranged". I have tried so hard to get the aesthetic to feel right that it uses the exact same SFX sample packs. its also in a low poly art style, the main thing i've differed from is the perspective. its not in 3rd person, my game is in 1st person, like postal 2. I'm also putting effort into making a more clear story for it (which i will not explain here). I hope that I capture that essence that Postal 1 has. Loved the video btw

[@heypeterReal]

You've caught my attention. You have a Steam or itch.io page for this game? I'm interested

[@oranch6972]

@@heypeterReal not just yet but i will when its ready to be showcased

[@ryguy9876]

Keep us updated, I too am interested.

[@Paul_The_Writer]

I'm interested in your game. Keep working on it, and if you ever upload it on Steam, I'd be happy to give it a try.

[@spooky4092]

the whole christian bales skull thing is actually kinda wild

[@M-M-D-C]

The Junk Yard splash screen kind of looks to me like a bleached cow skull on sand under the filters. Could be wrong, but it's a thought.

[@Uh_huh_yeah]

The game never exactly scared me I’ve never really had a terrifying experience with games like this before but the thing that always stuck out for me was exactly why the ending from postal 1 to redux was changed because it simply didn’t have the shock value anymore which is what is the scariest thing about this game to me

[@peters9329]

I think it's interesting that yoy describe the menu background as "sandpaper". I believe that is tanned human flesh moreso than discolored paper

[@winters4n]

Postal 1: Datura experience Postal 2: Lean experience

[@ONEDUMMYBOI]

Postal 3: fent experience

[@caydencat5823]

Ok I gotta know what is the sound effects at 00:34 seconds in I keep hearing it

[@flooku987]

same

[@ManLikeKitch]

Your dad sounds awesome. Funny enough I was in the gym once the American Psycho segment came up, and it reminded me of when me and my old man used to watch The Last Boy Scouts together.

[@hideokojima.]

26:00 dON'T HURT THE BABY WAYNE YOU MONSTER

[@alang.bandala8863]

Postal 2 is a fantasy Postal Redux is a nightmare Postal 1 is reality

[@ARandomItalianGuy]

Really interesting video, well done Anyway i dont Remember that skull in american psyco

[@insane7718]

Great video Absolutely amazing at capturing the essence of the game