Postal 2
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Developers | |
---|---|
Running With Scissors | |
macOS (OS X) | Ryan C. Gordon |
Linux | Ryan C. Gordon |
Publishers | |
Retail | Whiptail Interactive |
Retail (Russia) | Akella |
Apocalypse Weekend | Tri Synergy |
Linux retail | Linux Game Publishing |
Digital | Running With Scissors |
Engines | |
Unreal Engine 2 | |
UnrealScript components | Unreal Engine 1[1] |
Release dates | |
Windows | April 13, 2003 |
macOS (OS X) | December 9, 2004 |
Linux | February 4, 2005 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 50 |
IGDB | 59 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Modes | Singleplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | Action, FPS, Shooter |
Art styles | Cartoon |
Themes | Comedy, North America |
Series | Postal |
Postal | |
---|---|
Postal | 1997 |
Postal² | 2003 |
Postal III | 2011 |
Postal Redux | 2016 |
Postal 4: No Regerts | 2022 |
Postal: Brain Damaged | 2022 |
Poostall Royale | 2023 |
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Key points
- Has an active modding scene and community that has added a lot of content over many years.
- Newer versions are more prone to crashing.[citation needed]
- Due to the age of the engine, having very high speed single-core CPU performance is recommended to reduce slowdown in high effects/physics situations.
- After the 4000 update, the game started looking different.
General information
- Official manual
- Postal Wiki
- PostalSite.info - Fairly active community hub
- Resurrection-Studios - Modding site for the game
- GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
- GOG.com Support Page
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | Some copies use SafeDisc 3 DRM[Note 1], some use StarForce 3 DRM[Note 2] (primarily Russian copies), some use SecuROM 4 DRM, and others use simple disc checks. | |||
Developer website | 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition. | |||
Developer website | Paradise Lost also available. | |||
GOG.com | Paradise Lost also available. | |||
Green Man Gaming | ||||
Humble Store | ||||
Steam | Can be played without Steam if launched directly through Postal2.exe and ParadiseLost.exe (Paradise Lost expansion). Not available in Germany. |
|||
ZOOM Platform | Fudge Pack Plus. | |||
ZOOM Platform | Your Mom's Box Set. |
- SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
- StarForce DRM for this game does not work on modern versions of Windows (see above for affected versions).
Demos
- Singleplayer demo: Archive.org, ModDB
- Multiplayer demo: AusGamers, ModDB
Version differences
- Share the Pain is an updated version of the game that includes various bug fixes, two new areas, multiplayer mode and POSTed (SDK/level editor).[8][9]
Digital versions have the standalone multiplayer-only movie tie-in version, but they can be downgraded.[10][11] - The Fudge Pack and Postal X: 10th Anniversary edition are compilation packs that include Postal Plus and Postal 2: Share the Pain along with the "Apocalypse Weekend" expansion and feature the mods A Week in Paradise, Eternal Damnation and A Very Postal Christmas with some slight version differences.[12][13][14] The Polish release also had the mods translated.
- Postal 2 Complete features huge amount of bug fixes, many additional options and extra content. Updated digital versions are simply named POSTAL 2.[15][16] It should be noted that this version includes "A Week in Paradise" mod but some content altered/missing for unknown reasons, though it can be restored.
- Postal 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition is a compilation pack that includes Postal Plus, Postal 2 Complete, Postal 2: Paradise Lost, Postal III and Postal Redux.
- The Zoom Platform exclusive Your Mom's Box Set edition includes Postal Plus, Postal 2 (patch 5025), Postal 2: Share the Pain (uncensored 2003 pre-release build and multiplayer-only movie tie-in version), Postal 2: Paradise Lost DLC, Postal 2: Apocalypse Weekend, Postal 2: A Very Postal Christmas, Postal 2: Eternal Damnation, Postal 2: Corkscrew Rules and Postal 2: From Russia With Love - Corkscrew Rules (a Japanese version of Corkscrew Rules featuring an English dub by the original voice actors).
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Apocalypse Weekend | Included in Postal 2 Complete. | |
Corkscrew Rules | Russian licensed add-on.[17] Freeware, available here, steam conversion here | |
Paradise Lost | Available only for Postal 2 Complete. | |
Postal 2 Editor |
Essential improvements
Patches
- Patch 1337
- Patch 1409 (Share the Pain)
- Patch 1409X A semi-official patch that adds additional multiplayer modes and fixes bugs. Note that it's only needed for server side play.[18]
- Patch 1411 (Apocalypse Weekend)
- Postal 2 Complete already includes these patches.
- All patch notes (both retail and digital) can be found here
xPatch
- An unofficial patch for Steam/GOG version of Postal 2 and Paradise Lost.
- Will be added as an official patch in the future.[19]
- Bug fixes for the lingering issues found in the latest official patch.
- Gameplay improvements, including Rebalanced weapons and QOL features.
- Improved animations and texture fixes.
- Allows GOG users to install workshop mods, for more info see this guide.
- Steam workshop release doesn't have some fixes and the custom folder support.
A Week in Paradise
- Combines Postal 2 and Apocalypse Weekend into one game.
- Allows for getting back the weapons found in the base game in Apocalypse weekend, as well as adding some new ones to the game.
A Week In Paradise: Classic
- An up to date port of A Week In Paradise for digital versions.
- Bugfixes for issues found in the AWP.
- Manual installation only. Requires the modDB version of xPatch.
- Currently in beta.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\System\[Note 3] |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Library/Application Support/Postal 2/System |
Linux | ~/.lgp/postal2/System |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\Save\[Note 3] |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Library/Application Support/Postal 2/Save |
Linux | ~/.lgp/postal2/Save |
- This game does not follow the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux.
- Saves are cross platform, but for intra-platform Steam sync to occur, files must be manually moved between operating systems. Inter-platform Steam sync is not available.[20]
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
GOG Galaxy | 200 MB available. | |
Steam Cloud | Approx. 477 MB available. |
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 1412 update. May require fix for other versions, see Widescreen resolution. |
||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | 80-110°. Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 1412 update. For other versions, see Field of view (FOV). |
||
Windowed | Select in-game or toggle with Alt+↵ Enter | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 1417 update. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | Up to 16x. Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 1412 update. For other versions, see Anisotropic filtering (AF). |
||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | Can be forced through graphics card control panel, but makes the frame rate rather unstable.[21] | ||
High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | See Vertical sync (Vsync). | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | |||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. | ||
Ray tracing (RT) |
Widescreen resolution
Use the Widescreen Fix (Share The Pain)[22] |
---|
|
Field of view (FOV)
Open the console (~) and use FOV followed by the desired value[23]
|
---|
Modify User.ini [24]
|
---|
|
Hor+ field of view (FOV) values
Aspect ratio or resolution | Field of view (FOV) value |
---|---|
16:9 | 101.4 |
16:10 | 95.43 |
2560x1080 | 116.91 |
1366x768 | 101.43 |
1360x768 | 101.18 |
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Modify Postal2.ini [23]
|
---|
|
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Modify Postal2.ini [23]
|
---|
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | Some keys are not displayed in the menu: B (text chat), V (team chat), L (toggles hints), F9 (takes screenshots); H, Y and J (various gestures in multiplayer). | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | For 360 style controllers, try the following layout | |
Full controller support | Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 1417 update. | |
Controller remapping | ||
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers | ||
---|---|---|
Xbox button prompts | ||
Impulse Trigger vibration |
PlayStation controllers | ||
---|---|---|
PlayStation button prompts | ||
Light bar support | ||
Adaptive trigger support | ||
DualSense haptic feedback support | ||
Connection modes |
Generic/other controllers |
---|
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Button prompts | ||
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | ||
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Steam Input | ||
---|---|---|
Steam Input API support | Official Steam Controller bindings only. | |
Hook input (legacy mode) | ||
Official controller preset(s) | ||
Steam Controller button prompts |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | Music volume, sound volume | |
Surround sound | Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software or OpenAL.[25] | |
Subtitles | Native support in Postal 2 Complete. Added in 5022 update. | |
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | EAX 3.0. | |
Royalty free audio |
- DefOpenAL32.dll works as DirectSound3D driver which can be used with DSOAL to restore EAX.
- Using Creative ALchemy or DSOAL will cause some voices to play at a much higher pitch.
- Postal 2 has poor hardware-accelerated audio support and will often crash on real Sound Blaster hardware. DSOAL seems to work fine.[citation needed]
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Simplified Chinese | ||||
Hungarian | Retail only, Apocalypse Weekend wasn't localized. Dub for digital release here. | |||
Hungarian | Fan translation for the base game here and for Apocalypse Weekend here. | |||
Japanese | Retail only. Patch for digital release here. | |||
Polish | Retail only. Patch for digital release here and mirror. | |||
Polish | Fan translation for Paradise Lost, download. | |||
Portuguese | ||||
Brazilian Portuguese | ||||
Russian | Official localization by «Akella». | |||
Russian | Fan translation for Paradise Lost by CatBug TV, download. | |||
Spanish | ||||
Turkish |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 16 | Versus |
||
Online play | 16 | Versus Native support in Postal 2 Complete. For other versions, see Online play. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s)[26] |
---|---|
UDP | 7777-7779 |
- This game does not support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.
Online play for older versions
Modify Postal2.ini [27]
|
---|
|
Co-op
- Not officially supported.
- This requires the Share the Pain expansion.
Copy singleplayer maps to Share the Pain[28] |
---|
|
Use Nicks Coop mod (Windows only) |
---|
Issues fixed
Black-red screen in fullscreen mode
Set Brightness, Contrast and Gamma to 10 and then back to the desired values[29] |
---|
Low performance on modern PC
Modify Postal2.ini [30]
|
---|
|
Change the number of prerendered frames[31] |
---|
|
Game won't use laptop's GPU
Switch to OpenGL renderer[32] |
---|
Use dgVoodoo 2 |
---|
|
Change performance settings[33][34] |
---|
|
Postal 2 and Paradise Lost crashes randomly
Switch to OpenGL renderer[35] |
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 8.1 | |
OpenGL | 1.2 |
Executable | PPC | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | ||||
macOS (OS X) | This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later. | |||
Linux |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | OpenAL | |
Multiplayer | GameSpy | Service is now defunct. See Online play for older versions. |
Console commands
- Open the console (~) and use one of the following commands.
Command | Description |
---|---|
FOV | Sets the field of view (number). |
BEHINDVIEW | Switches between first and third-person perspective (0-1).[36] |
Mods
AWP Mod
- An addon for the A Week in Paradise mod.
- Restores content from AW7, an older version of the mod.
- Adds new game mode, cheats, option window, weapons and various bug fixes.
xMod
- A steam equivalent to AWP Mod.
- A modifier version of this mod which includes less content can be found here.
Eternal Damnation
- In order to use the mod, you have to downgrade the game to version version 1409 (GOG.com/Steam). Alternatively, you can also install the free Share the Pain mod or get the steam port.
- It's recommended that you install the patch before starting a new game.
- The 1409 version are prone to crashing, see general protection error.
A Very Postal Christmas
- A map for the original version is available here.
- The steam conversion has a map, errands and fast travel, but it cut a lot of things, like the new weapons, and has more bugs.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 98/2000/ME | XP |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium III 733 MHz AMD Athlon 733 MHz |
1.2 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | 384 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1.2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 2 series AMD Radeon Video Card 32 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible | Nvidia GeForce 3 series ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB of VRAM |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 10.6 | |
Processor (CPU) | 700 MHz | 1.2 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 256 MB | 384 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1.2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 2 series ATI Radeon 32 MB of VRAM | Nvidia GeForce 3 series ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB of VRAM |
- Processor specs are strangely wrong for Mac as Steam is only supported on Intel Macs and POSTAL 2 Complete's Steam executable itself has no PPC code upon inspection with the
file -b
command.[37]
Linux | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | Ubuntu 12, SteamOS | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium III 1.13 GHz AMD Athlon 733 MHz |
1.2 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 128 MB | 384 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1.2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 2 series AMD Radeon Video Card 32 MB of VRAM | Nvidia GeForce 3 series ATI Radeon 8500 64 MB of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
- ↑ This version of StarForce DRM does not work on Windows Vista or later.[4][5][6][7] For supported versions of Windows the StarForce driver may need to be updated manually using SFUPDATE.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details).
References
- ↑ Legacy:Postal 2 - Unreal Wiki - last accessed on 2022-03-22
- ↑ Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
- ↑ Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
- ↑ Windows Vista support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 7 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
- ↑ Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2: Share The Pain
- ↑ Postal Wiki - POSTed
- ↑ Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2022-07-17
- At least on steam and GOG, not sure about ZOOM platform, but it's probably the same.
- ↑ Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:1043:7C69:FDB9:94C8 on 2018-01-02
- ↑ Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2022-10-09
- Eternal Damnation is a newer version, but has simpler levels and while fixing some bugs also added some new ones, and A Very Postal Christmas is the first version which was basically a map pack, also all copyrighted content was removed.
- ↑ Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:2CCE:7FF:ADCD:D9D on 2018-01-02
- ↑ Postal Wiki - Fudge Pack
- ↑ Steam News - Upcoming New DLC/Patch
- ↑ Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2 Complete
- ↑ Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2: Штопор ЖжОт!
- ↑ Postal Wiki - 1409X Multiplayer patch
- ↑ The author confirmed it himself, most notably in his guide to install mods.
- ↑ Verified by 1.123.157.15 on 2015-11-08
- ↑ Verified by User:TheFreeman on 2017-04-17
- ↑ Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2022-06-21
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Verified by User:Suicide machine on 2016-02-02
- ↑ Verified by User:Averygoodperson on 2022-06-22
- ↑ PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up
- ↑ Verified by User:Aemony on 2018-10-17
- ↑ Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:49BB:80C7:7B73:DB85 on 2018-01-09
- ↑ Steam Community :: Guide :: How to play Postal 2 Coop] - last accessed on 2022-11-30
- ↑ Steam Community Discussions - Black - red screen when I try to play with full screen
- ↑ Steam Community Discussions - Speed issues resolved for Dual Core CPU
- ↑ Verified by 91.122.160.133 on 2013-09-09
- ↑ Why does my game keep crashing? Reddit
- ↑ Steam Community Discussions - awp crash general fault error how i fix it ??
- ↑ Resurrection-Studios - Postal 2 AWP random Crash/Freeze
- ↑ Why does my game keep crashing? Reddit
- ↑ Verified by User:2600:8801:2180:2E17:70FC:F0E1:34D8:9884 on 2018-01-08
- Note however that there are some glitches in the third-person pistol animation when sprinting and the HUD is not displayed in third-person perspective.
- ↑ Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:F4E1:C953:1635:DDE2 on 2018-01-04