A Real Critique Of The Postal Series

[StephenArdrey]

The biggest source of my rage in the video game world, is how our journalist truely fail to critique the art form. Most of them want to compare apples to goats and it doesn't really work. In the world outside of video games, it's became the same. Most reviewers don't have the correct critical eye that's needed in order to be a true reviewer.

I like Postal but I am not a fan. If you want to do what I do, you have to give up fandom for objectivity. I don't mind that sacrifice because then I get to see things in a different way then them. Nothing from this critique may ever be qouted on boxes, but hopefully it will be more conceise than what we has been given to us before. To warn you, this is a long article but I will make it as enjoyable to read as possible.

When playing the first Postal, you have to recognize the difficulty. Even at it's easiest apex it's still pretty hard. The controlls aren't as fluid as most of today's game but there is something really streamlined about this game. The objectives are simple but the real story is what's beneath the surface.

Postal, at it's core is a dark comedy that is a reflection of modern life. It's simple and I don't think the creators stepped out the door trying to create an ubsurdist master piece but that's really the levels it works on. This artistic form is even raised higher in the sequel.

Vince had told me that the original had been featured in an art exhibit in Europe. I really think that American critics just don't get it and probably never will. I will defiantly say that most of these over tones come out in Postal 2.

Postal 2's gameplay is excellent. It's a very basic first person shooter as far as controlls go but with alot of complexity. This was one of the first open world FPS games I had ever played. This was before Bethasda hit it big with Oblivion, so this game was a head of it's time in both story and play style.

Where I think other reviewers missed out, is that this game is defiantly looking into our very own reptilian nature. I understand that may sound deep but it really is. The option to kill innocent bystandards, the ability to make decisions, and the explorative nature of this game should have always been noted. This is a real ubsurdist as well as cathartic piece.

I don't see how South Park and The Life Of Bryan can be seen as art without mentioning the Postal series. I don't understand how other reviewers were so daft not to take it as it is, then think about what it was. Sometimes games, movies, and music that make us think really don't reach a broader audience in a major way. For those of us who get it, we wouldn't trade this for anything.

[Mouse]

Great article. Postal 2 sounds fun. I will have to check that out sometime. Not sure abt trying postal 1 though.

[GummyBear]

This was interesting to read ill check the series out.

[StephenArdrey]

This was interesting to read ill check the series out.

Great article. Postal 2 sounds fun. I will have to check that out sometime. Not sure abt trying postal 1 though.

Now, go forth and buy forty copies. Give them to your friends, family, pets, teachers, clerical types. You know, the people who need to play it.

[sex_machine_2013]

Great article, glad you found somewhere else to publish

[StephenArdrey]

Great article, glad you found somewhere else to publish

Thanks, now go and buy 90 copies then pass them out at church.

[The_YongGrand]

Postal series are dark comedy. It crosses borders and pushed many limits, including the harshness and stupidities in Family Guy. And RWS made a platform, which is called Postal 2 onwards, to the players to "mess around with the boundaries". It's all in our heads when we first made a step into the convenience store, whether should I bear with the long queue, or to take the milk, or to pee at the refrigerated meat, or to gatecrash the party upstairs. What other games allows such situations? You don't even scratch a civilian in Modern Warfare series!

[StephenArdrey]

Postal series are dark comedy. It crosses borders and pushed many limits, including the harshness and stupidities in Family Guy. And RWS made a platform, which is called Postal 2 onwards, to the players to "mess around with the boundaries". It's all in our heads when we first made a step into the convenience store, whether should I bear with the long queue, or to take the milk, or to pee at the refrigerated meat, or to gatecrash the party upstairs. What other games allows such situations? You don't even scratch a civilian in Modern Warfare series!

I hate being this douche >.< MW2 has a lengthy mission where you go around killing Russian civilians in an airport. I now need a shower

[The_YongGrand]

I hate being this douche >.< MW2 has a lengthy mission where you go around killing Russian civilians in an airport. I now need a shower

Me too - that scenario shouldn't be inside at the first place.

[StephenArdrey]

I hate being this douche >.< MW2 has a lengthy mission where you go around killing Russian civilians in an airport. I now need a shower

Me too - that scenario shouldn't be inside at the first place.

It was an attempt to attract gamers that are into serious games. The idea that you can choose to take part in a terrorist act. The MW series has gotten on my nerves since the first game. It's just an over valued franchise as a whole.

[badgirl_696969]

i love this article steve does amazing articles!

[The_YongGrand]

That "Black Ops" game is the same thing as well - the whole game is reminiscent of "Zoolander", 'xecpt the protagonist and some boring other soldiers are not fashion designers and they are 'programmed' to kill the President.

I'm not any amazed on that game anyway. These derivatives of the game can be too contrived, sometimes. 

[StephenArdrey]

That "Black Ops" game is the same thing as well - the whole game is reminiscent of "Zoolander", 'xecpt the protagonist and some boring other soldiers are not fashion designers and they are 'programmed' to kill the President.

I'm not any amazed on that game anyway. These derivatives of the game can be too contrived, sometimes.

The story of a CoD game is very small. They thrive on multiplayer accesibility.

[FaTony]

Most game stories are based on strong moral beliefs which make player a puppet. Postal 2 doesn't do that. That's why it's great.