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.
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Key points
- All Postal games have a developer that still actively supports their games. Running on modern systems is very easy.
- Still has a active modding scene and community that has added a lot of content over many years.
- 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.
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
- 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: here
- Multiplayer demo: here
- Multiplayer demo for Linux: here
Version differences
- Share the Pain is an updated version of the game that includes various bugfixes, two new areas, multiplayer mode and POSTed (SDK/level editor).[8][9]
The Mac and Linux versions as well as GOG.com and Steam versions are already upgraded to this version.[10]
- The Fudge Pack, Postal X: 10th Anniversary edition and Postal XX are compilation packs that includes Postal Plus, Postal 2: Share the Pain along with the "Apocalypse Weekend" expansion and several popular mods (Eternal Damnation, A Week in Paradise, A Very Postal Christmas). Some later versions also includes Steam keys for the digital version.[11][12]
- Postal 2 Complete features huge amount of bug fixes, many additional options and extra content. Updated GOG.com and Steam versions are renamed to simply as POSTAL 2.[13][14] 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 and its expansions Share the Pain and Apocalypse Weekend and Steam keys for Postal 2: Paradise Lost, Postal III and Postal Redux.
- The Zoom Platform exclusive Your Mom's Box Set edition includes Postal Plus, Postal 2, Share the Pain (uncensored 2003 pre-release build and multiplayer-only movie tie-in version), A Week In Paradise, Paradise Lost, Apocalypse Weekend, Christmas, Eternal Damnation, Corkscrew Rules, From Russia With Love, and the unofficial 5025 patch. This is the only edition which includes all content in one package.
DLC and expansion packs
Name |
Notes |
|
Apocalypse Weekend |
Included in GOG.com and Steam versions. |
|
Corkscrew Rules! |
Russian licensed add-on.[15] Freeware, available here |
|
Paradise Lost |
Available only for GOG.com, Steam, and ZOOM Platform versions. |
|
Postal 2 Editor |
|
|
Essential improvements
Patches
- GOG.com and Steam versions already include these patches.
- All patch notes (both retail and digital) can be found here
- An unofficial patch 5025x for Steam/GOG version of Postal 2 and Paradise Lost.
- Already included in ZOOM Platform version.
- Bugfixes for the lingering issues found in the latest official patch.
- Restores cut contents, such as weapons and cheats.
- Gameplay improvements, including Rebalanced weapons and QOL features.
- Improved animations and texture fixes.
- Not Compatible with A Week In Paradise Forever.
- An up to date port of A Week In Paradise (AWOP)
- Manual installation only. Requires the Paradise Lost DLC.
- Bugfixes for issues found in the AWOP.
- Steam Compatibility
- Can only be applied to the Steam and GOG versions.
- Has problems with the latest patch 5024. It is recommended to rollback to patch 5023 to use this mod without problems.
- Not Compatible with 5024X Unofficial Patch.
Using A Week In Paradise Forever with other mods
|
- Download the Special Postal 2 Launcher from this page.
- Move all files in the archive to the Postal 2 system folder (example: ...\steamapps\common\POSTAL2Complete\System) and replace when prompted.
- Launch Postal 2, choose "AWP Forever Mod" and Launch Game.
|
Restore content in A Week in Paradise
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.[22]
Video
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game general video settings (Share the Pain).
In-game advanced video settings (Share the Pain).
Open the console (~) and use FOV followed by your desired value[26]
|
Modify User.ini [24]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open the
User.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
- Change the values of
DesiredFOV and DefaultFOV to your desired value.
- Save the changes.
|
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
|
Modify Postal2.ini [26]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open the
Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
- Change the value of
LevelOfAnisotropy to:
2 , 4 , 8 or 16 to enable anisotropic filtering (AF)
1 to disable anisotropic filtering (AF)
- Save the changes.
|
Modify Postal2.ini [26]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open the
Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
- Change the value of
UseVSync to:
False to disable vertical sync (Vsync)
True to enable vertical sync (Vsync)
- And/Or Change the value of
OverrideDesktopRefreshRate to:
False to disable overriding Refresh Rate
True to enable overriding Refresh Rate
- Save the changes.
- For Paradise Lost open
ParadiseLost.ini
|
Input
In-game key map settings.
Audio
In-game audio settings (Share the Pain).
In-game audio settings (Paradise Lost).
Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
Separate volume controls |
|
music volume, sound volume |
Surround sound |
|
Up to 7.0 output with DirectSound3D restoration software or OpenAL.[27] |
Subtitles |
|
Native support in GOG.com and Steam versions. Added in 5022 update. |
Closed captions |
|
|
Mute on focus lost |
|
|
EAX support |
|
EAX 3.0. |
- 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 |
|
|
|
Official Hungarian Dub, download Fan translation (subs and interface), download |
Japanese |
|
|
|
Physical release only. Japanese dub only for base game. Steam port, download |
Polish |
|
|
|
Local retail release. |
Polish |
|
|
|
Fan translation, download. Audio localization ported from local retail release (also translates new content). For Paradise Lost DLC, download (no audio translation). |
Portuguese |
|
|
|
|
Brazilian Portuguese |
|
|
|
|
Russian |
|
|
|
Official localization by «Akella». Fan localization for Paradise Lost DLC by CatBug TV |
Spanish |
|
|
|
|
Turkish |
|
|
|
|
Network
In-game network settings.
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s)[24][28] |
UDP |
7777-7779 |
- This game does not support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.
Modify Postal2.ini [29]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open the
Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
- Replace all instances of
master.gamespy.com with master.333networks.com
- Save the changes.
|
Co-op
- Though not officially supported, two methods for playing the game in co-op exist.
- Follow this guide for info on converting the single player maps to multiplayer. Note that missions will not work with this method.
- Use Nicks Coop which is a truer co-op experience but is only available for Windows.
Issues fixed
Black-red screen in fullscreen mode
Set Brightness, Contrast and Gamma to 10 and then back to your desired values[30]
|
Low performance on modern PC
Change the number of prerendered frames[32]
|
- Go to the Nvidia Control Panel.
- Set the maximum number of prerendered frames to 1.
|
Game won't use laptop's GPU
Modify Postal2.ini [33]
|
- Go to the configuration file(s) location.
- Open the
Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
- Change
RenderDevice=D3DDrv.D3DRenderDevice to ;RenderDevice=D3DDrv.D3DRenderDevice , and :RenderDevice=OpenGLDrv.OpenGLRenderDevice to RenderDevice=OpenGLDrv.OpenGLRenderDevice . Make sure that ;RenderDevice=Engine.NullRenderDevice has a ; before it.
- Save the changes.
- Incompatible with fullscreen, use borderless or windowed
|
Use dgVoodoo2
|
- Place dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe and the DLLs found in MS\x86 folder except D3D9.dll in game folder.
- Try running the game using dGPU (don't try integrated, it won't launch).
- Tweak dgVoodoo settings, removing watermark and enabling scaler/AA if necessary.
- Compatible with fullscreen D3D rendering, will utilize Nvidia/AMD GPU.
|
A Week in Paradise crashes (non-digital/original only)
- Also known as general protection fault.
Change performance settings[34][35]
|
- Turn off limb and head fix (Dismemberment Physics).
- Reduce Corpse population to 0 or reduce Ragdolls to 5 or below.
|
Postal 2 and Paradise Lost crashes randomly
Switch to OpenGL renderer[36]
|
- Switch to OpenGL renderer in options menu.
|
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
8 |
Can be made to work with Direct3D 9 using D3D8To9. |
OpenGL |
1.2 |
Can be selected in-game but may require restart to apply.[24] |
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 |
|
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).[37] |
Mods
- A lite version of this mod can be found here
- Adds new game mode, cheats, option window and weapons.
- Several features need to install other mods. Most of these mods can be found here.
Eternal Damnation
Download
- 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.
- 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
Download: Original mod, Steam conversion
- Not compatible with GOG.com version.
A Week in Paradise (Original Version)
Download: Original mod, Digital conversion
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.[38]
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).
- ↑ Replace the file(s) when prompted.[24]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 If the file(s) do not exist, launch the game at least once.[24]
References