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Postal 2

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 11:39, 23 May 2020 by Garrbot (talk | contribs) (updated template usage)
Postal 2
Postal 2 cover
Developers
Running With Scissors
macOS (OS X) Ryan C. Gordon
Linux Ryan C. Gordon
Publishers
Retail Whiptail Interactive
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 71
Taxonomy
Monetization DLC
Series Postal
Postal 2 on IGDB
Postal 2 guide on StrategyWiki
Postal 2 on MobyGames
Postal 2 on Wikipedia
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.
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

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
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.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Developer website
DRM-free
Icon overlay.png
Fudge Pack and 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Developer website
Icon overlay.png
Paradise Lost also available.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
Comes bundled with Postal 2 Complete original version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Steam
DRM-free after installation through Steam client (notes may include more details)
Can be played without Steam if launched directly through Postal2.exe and ParadiseLost.exe (Paradise Lost expansion). Not available in Germany.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
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).
Demo and Free Multiplayer Version (Downloads section)

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.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Apocalypse Weekend Included in GOG.com and Steam versions.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Corkscrew Rules! Russian licensed add-on.[15] Freeware, available here
Windows
Paradise Lost Available only for GOG.com and Steam versions.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Postal 2 Editor
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

GOG.com and Steam versions already include these patches.
All patch notes (both retail and digital) can be found here

Restore content in A Week in Paradise

Download and install A Week In Paradise Forever [AWPF]
Can only be applied to the Steam and GOG versions.
Use the following workshop mods[17][18][19][20][21]
Can only be applied to the Steam version.

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]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
200 MB available.
Steam Cloud
Approx. 477 MB available.

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game general video settings (Share the Pain).
In-game general video settings (Share the Pain).
In-game advanced video settings (Share the Pain).
In-game advanced video settings (Share the Pain).

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Native support in GOG.com and Steam versions. 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 GOG.com and Steam versions.
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 GOG.com and Steam versions. Added in 1417 update.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Up to 16x. Native support in GOG.com and Steam versions. 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.[23]
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Enabled by default in non-digital versions.[24] See Vertical sync (Vsync).
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

Replace the Postal2Game.u file and modify Postal2.ini[25][26]
  1. Download the patched file
  2. Extract the contents of the download to the configuration file(s) location.[Note 4]
  3. Open the Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  4. Change the values of FullscreenViewportX and FullscreenViewportY to your desired resolution.
  5. Save the changes.
To make the game Hor+ set the field of view (FOV) according to the given values.

Field of view (FOV)

Open the console (~) and use FOV followed by your desired value[24]
Modify User.ini[25]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open the User.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  3. Change the values of DesiredFOV and DefaultFOV to your desired value.
  4. 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

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Modify Postal2.ini[24]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open the Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  3. Change the value of LevelOfAnisotropy to:
    • 2, 4, 8 or 16 to enable anisotropic filtering (AF)
    • 1 to disable anisotropic filtering (AF)
  4. Save the changes.

Vertical sync (Vsync)

Modify Postal2.ini[24]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open the Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  3. Change the value of UseVSync to:
    • False to disable vertical sync (Vsync)
    • True to enable vertical sync (Vsync)
  4. And/Or Change the value of OverrideDesktopRefreshRate to:
    • False to disable overriding Refresh Rate
    • True to enable overriding Refresh Rate
  5. Save the changes.

Input

In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.
In-game mouse settings.
In-game mouse settings.

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 GOG.com and Steam versions. 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
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Button prompts
Input settings icon - Generic Controller.svg
Controller hotplugging
[25]
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M
[25]
Steam Input
Steam Input API support
Official Steam Controller bindings only.
Hook input (legacy mode)
Official controller preset(s)
Steam Controller button prompts

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings (Share the Pain).
In-game audio settings (Share the Pain).
In-game audio settings (Paradise Lost).
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»
Spanish
Turkish

Network

In-game network settings.
In-game network settings.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
16 Versus
Online play
16 Versus
Native support in GOG.com and Steam versions.
For other versions, see Online play.

Connection types

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)[25][28]
UDP 7777-7779
This game does not support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.

Online play

Modify Postal2.ini[29]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open the Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  3. Replace all instances of master.gamespy.com with master.333networks.com
  4. 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

Modify Postal2.ini[31]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open the Postal2.ini file with Notepad or other text editor.[Note 5]
  3. Change the value of ReduceMouseLag to False
  4. Save the changes.
Change the number of prerendered frames[32]
  1. Go to the Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Set the maximum number of prerendered frames to 1.

A Week in Paradise crashes (non-digital/original only)

Also known as general protection fault.
Change performance settings[33][34]
  1. Turn off limb and head fix (Dismemberment Physics).
  2. Reduce Corpse population to 0 or reduce Ragdolls to 5 or below.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8 Can be made to work with Direct3D 9 using this wrapper
OpenGL 1.2 Can be selected in-game but may require restart to apply.[25]
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
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).[35]

Mods

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

Download: Original mod, Digital conversion

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP SP3
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III 1.13 GHz
AMD Athlon 733 MHz
System memory (RAM) 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.2 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 2 series
AMD Radeon Video Card
32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8.0 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10.6
Processor (CPU) 700 MHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.2 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 2 series
ATI Radeon
32 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.[36]
Linux
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) Ubuntu 12, SteamOS
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III 1.13 GHz
AMD Athlon 733 MHz
System memory (RAM) 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.2 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 2 series
AMD Radeon Video Card
32 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. 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]
  2. 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. 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).
  4. Replace the file(s) when prompted.[25]
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 If the file(s) do not exist, launch the game at least once.[25]

References

  1. Unreal Wiki - Legacy:Postal 2 - last accessed on 2015-04-22
  2. Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of - Microsoft Community - last accessed on 2017-01-16
  3. Microsoft - MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015 - last accessed on 2018-02-16
  4. Windows Vista support - StarForce Support
  5. Windows 7 support - StarForce Support
  6. Windows 8.1 support - StarForce Support
  7. Windows 10 support - StarForce Support
  8. Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2: Share The Pain
  9. Postal Wiki - POSTed
  10. Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:1043:7C69:FDB9:94C8 on 2018-01-02
  11. Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:2CCE:7FF:ADCD:D9D on 2018-01-02
  12. Postal Wiki - Fudge Pack
  13. Steam News - Upcoming New DLC/Patch
  14. Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2 Complete
  15. Postal Wiki - POSTAL 2: Штопор ЖжОт!
  16. Postal Wiki - 1409X Multiplayer patch
  17. Steam Community Discussions - AWP in the Steam version?
  18. Steam Community Discussions - Eternal Damnation mod request
  19. Steam Community Discussions - GORE
  20. Steam Community Discussions - please someone make a gore mod
  21. Steam Community Discussions - Postal 2 Complete = No Gore????
  22. Verified by 1.123.157.15 on 2015-11-08
  23. Verified by User:TheFreeman on 2017-04-17
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Verified by User:Suicide machine on 2016-02-02
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 Verified by User:Orzelek303 on 2018-10-20
  26. Steam Community Discussions - [Release] Widescreen fix
  27. PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up
  28. Verified by User:Aemony on 2018-10-17
  29. Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:49BB:80C7:7B73:DB85 on 2018-01-09
  30. Steam Community Discussions - Black - red screen when I try to play with full screen
  31. Steam Community Discussions - Speed issues resolved for Dual Core CPU
  32. Verified by 91.122.160.133 on 2013-09-09
  33. Steam Community Discussions - awp crash general fault error how i fix it ??
  34. Resurrection-Studios - Postal 2 AWP random Crash/Freeze
  35. 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.
  36. Verified by 2600:8801:2180:2E17:F4E1:C953:1635:DDE2 on 2018-01-04