8Bit/Digi

This Can’t be Good for Me, But I Feel Great

Back in the day, Postal was a lightning rod of controversy while also breaking all kinds of barriers. The first was one of the most controversial games of its time due to its violent themes. Postal 2 also attracted similar criticism due to its violence and shock humor. It had a rocky launch, but it went on to be hailed as one of the funniest games of all time.

Despite its infamy and influence, it has never made a forte on the PlayStation consoles. However, this changes with the release of Postal 4: No Regerts on PlayStation 4/5. The game continues the story of Postal Dude and maintains the series’ tradition of not taking itself seriously. However, it’s a game that hasn’t embraced modern gaming trends and instead clings to the past.

It should be noted that this review is based on playing it on the PlayStation 4. Also, the images are from the PC version as we already had them from our last review. 

Looks Like Everyone in Town had the Same Idea

Postal 4: No Regerts allows players to once again live one week as the Postal Dude. The game is set several years after the events of the Paradise Lost DLC (and Postal III never happened). In this game, our beloved anti-hero wanders into the town of Edensin, AZ, only to have his camper and all his belongings stolen right away. With no money or a place to call home, Postal Dude must work a series of odd jobs to get by, all of which lead to hilarious results, while trying to find his camper.

That’s all there is to the story; it’s not deep or thought-provoking but tries to be on par with Postal 2. Like its true predecessor, the charm of the narrative lies not in the story, but in the world itself. Running With Scissors continues to honor this defining aspect of the series, packing in all the dirty jokes, innuendos, and jabs they can, making for an entertaining experience. The writing also deserves praise for acknowledging that times have changed by abandoning its edgy tone. The game no longer goes out of its way to shock players, and the jabs it makes at other franchises are more in jest.

While it’s not attempting to rely on shock humor, Postal 4: No Regerts also lacks any humorous elements. Instead, it falls into the trap that many comedy sequels do by relying too heavily on the same few jokes that were successful in the past. As a result, fans are subjected to the same one-liners and jokes that made Postal 2 a work of comedy gold.

Don’t Crowd, There’s Plenty for Everyone!

I must say, it’s great to see Rick Hunter returning as the voice of the Postal Dude. While he may not be the default option, it’s a welcome addition for fans of the series. Although voice acting veteran Jon St. John does his best, he doesn’t quite bring the same level of charisma and charm that Hunter did to the role. This is not to say that St. John’s performance wasn’t enjoyable, but for many fans, Rick Hunter will always be the definitive voice of the Postal Dude.

The gameplay revolves around the Postal Dude completing odd jobs while traversing through the game world. As with previous installments, chaos and mayhem often ensue. Players can navigate challenges using their wits, gestures, or a vast arsenal of weapons. It’s worth noting that this game boasts one of the largest weapon selections in the series, which is essential to keep players engaged and entertained.

However, players shouldn’t become too fixated on completing their tasks as the world of Edensin, AZ is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. Exploring homes, businesses, and hidden passages can reveal additional gear or pop culture references. The game rewards players for their curiosity, adding to the overall experience.

I’m the Damn Gimp!

Postal 4: No Regerts is a game that suffers from numerous issues, most of which can be attributed to the fact that it’s a game stuck in the 2000s. Despite the significant changes in the gaming industry since the launch of Postal 2, none of these lessons appear to have been incorporated into Postal 4.

The open world design feels clunky and lacks the polish of a modern game, instead resembling a generic Half-Life mod. The world itself feels empty, and despite its size, it fails to impress. Not helping are also elements of a platformer, something most first person games abandoned along time ago (for good reason). The blandness extends to the non-playable characters (NPCs), who lack depth or interaction. While it may not be fair to expect the same level of NPC interaction as in Fallout: New Vegas, it’s even a downgrade when compared to Postal 2. The mindless massacres that were once enjoyable in the previous games are not as fun as NPCs fail to evoke any real emotional response or reactions, outside of annoyance or panic.

In comparison to the PC version at launch, the PlayStation 4 version does not suffer from game breaking bugs or glitches. However, the game does suffer from long loading times, especially when starting a new game. This is not an issue I focus on unless I’m done looking at my phone and the game still hasn’t loaded.

Butt Sauce!

Postal 4: No Regerts tries to recreate the success of its predecessor, but ultimately falls short in many ways. Its failure can be attributed to its attempts to replicate Postal 2 without growing its sense of humor and not incorporating three decades worth of advancements in game design. While it is not necessarily a bad game, it fails to live up to its potential due to its reluctance to move beyond the past.

Disclaimer: Stride PR provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Postal 4: No Regerts (PS4)

5

OK

5.0/10

Pros

• Rick Hunter is back as the Postal Dude.
• One of the largest arsenal in the series allowing for more chaos.
• Numerous nods to other games and pop-culture works.

Cons

• It's humor is too dependent on the same jokes from Postal 2.
• Takes too long to load a game or level.
• It's a game that at its core is still trapped in the 2000's.