POSTAL (1997): Complete Guide

A practical guide to the free classic POSTAL on Steam: controls and settings, the kill-quota level structure, weapons and enemies, Challenge mode and The Gauntlet, LAN multiplayer, and how it differs from POSTAL Redux.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the updated Steam build (no new game patches; the latest Steam posts are series news such as the August 2026 comic book Kickstarter). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Quick Start

It's free. The classic POSTAL is listed as free on Steam. The 2016 remake, POSTAL Redux, is a separate paid game.
Use the modern controls. The Steam version adds mouse and dual-analog-stick controls ("none of that tank control insanity," as the store puts it): move with WASD or the left stick, aim with the mouse or right stick. The original-style scheme is still available in the options if you want the 1997 feel.
Each level has a kill quota. You finish a level by eliminating a set percentage of the hostiles, and the HUD shows how close you are.
Innocents don't count. Only armed hostiles count toward the quota. Hunting civilians just wastes ammo and time.
The machine gun never runs out. Everything else has limited ammo. Save the explosives for groups and heavy enemies.
Pick up everything. Health, body armor, and ammo are scattered around each level. Run the edges of the map for pickups before engaging big groups.
Rocket troopers hurt. Heavy-weapons enemies fire rockets. The Steam page's own tip is "don't forget to duck!"
Challenge stages are separate. The 22 Challenge stages and The Gauntlet are their own mode, so they don't slow down the campaign.

What's in the Steam Version

Content	Count
Campaign levels	22: the original 16, 4 from the Special Delivery expansion, and 2 previously Japan-exclusive levels
Challenge stages	22 bonus stages across 4 categories
The Gauntlet	Play every challenge stage back-to-back
Multiplayer	LAN only, co-op or deathmatch, up to 16 players
Audio	English, plus fully voiced Japanese
Achievements	Steam achievements are available (see the store page for the current list)

Controls and Settings

POSTAL's modern control scheme is simple:

Action	Keyboard/Mouse	Controller
Move	WASD	Left stick
Aim	Mouse	Right stick
Fire	Left mouse	Trigger
Switch weapon	Number keys / mouse wheel	Bumpers
Duck / other actions	Check Options > Controls	See Options

Recommended settings:

Resolution: run the highest resolution the options offer; the Steam build supports modern displays much better than the 1997 release did.
Control scheme: keep the modern mouse or twin-stick scheme unless you specifically want the original feel.
Crosshair: keep any aiming aid on while you learn mouse aim; the isometric view makes range hard to judge at first.
Audio: the English voice lines repeat a lot on long levels. The Japanese audio track is a fun alternative on a replay.

Default key bindings can vary by version, so check Options > Controls for the full list (including duck and executing wounded enemies).

Weapons

The Steam page lists "9 devastating weapons" and names the Scatter Gun, Grenades, Mines, Napalm Launcher and Heatseeker Rockets. Here's how the arsenal plays (the other entries are the classic's standard guns and fire weapons; exact names can differ slightly in-game):

Weapon	Best Use
Machine Gun	Default, unlimited ammo. It's always your fallback.
Shotgun	Heavy close-range damage. Great for clearing doorways.
Scatter Gun (Spray Cannon)	A wide spray. Good against groups in the open.
Grenades	Arcing explosives for enemies behind cover
Molotov cocktails / firebombs	Area denial with fire. Careful in tight spaces.
Missile Launcher	Straight-line explosive. Deletes groups and heavies.
Heatseeker Rockets	Homing missiles. The Steam page calls them the answer "for those big groups."
Napalm Launcher	Area fire over a wide zone. It's the "almighty" room-clearer.
Mines	Plant them on routes enemies will use. Great for chokepoints.

Ammo discipline: Explosives are rarest on the long later levels. Use the machine gun on single enemies and save rockets and napalm for groups and Heavy-Weapons Experts.

Enemies

Enemy	Threat	How to Handle
Infantrymen	Gun-toting basic hostiles	Machine gun or shotgun. Strafe while shooting.
Grenadiers	Throw Molotov cocktails	Keep moving so the fire lands behind you. Kill them early.
Heavy-Weapons Experts	Fire rockets	Duck or sidestep, then close in fast or answer with explosives
Police / military	Tougher, better armed	Use cover and explosives
Ostriches	Yes, really	Mostly harmless. Don't waste ammo.
Civilians	Not hostile and don't count toward the quota	Leave them alone

Wounded enemies: Downed hostiles can writhe on the ground. Finish them (execute) to make sure they're out and counted, rather than leaving them behind you.

How Levels Work

You start with the machine gun and whatever you're carrying from the last level.
The HUD shows the required percentage of hostiles to eliminate.
Explore, pick up weapons and health, and fight through the level.
Once you've reached the quota, you can end the level and move on.

Level strategy:

Clear from the edges inward. Many hostiles guard pickups in corners. Getting those first gives you armor and ammo for the dense middle fights.
Don't hunt stragglers. Once you've reached the quota, move on. Chasing the last few hostiles is where most deaths happen.
Use buildings as funnels. Stand outside a doorway and let enemies come to you, especially with shotgun or mines.
Fire spreads. Napalm and Molotovs are dangerous in tight streets and can hit you too.

Staying Alive: Practical Combat

POSTAL is harder than it looks. Enemies are accurate, levels are open, and health is limited. These habits keep runs alive:

Never walk in a straight line under fire. Strafing sideways relative to a shooter makes many shots miss. Standing still to aim is how most deaths happen.
Let the camera work for you. The isometric view shows enemies before they reach you. Pause at the edge of each new area, spot the hostiles, and pick your first target before you step in.
Pull enemies, don't push them. Fire a shot and back off around a corner. Enemies that chase you arrive one or two at a time, which is far easier than walking into a group.
Watch out for your own fire. Explosives and fire hurt you too. Don't throw grenades or firebombs at enemies who are right next to you, and don't retreat through your own flames.
Health is a resource. Leave health pickups on the map when you're nearly full, and come back for them after a big fight.
Clear heavy threats first. Rocket-firing Heavy-Weapons Experts and Molotov-throwing Grenadiers do the most damage. Kill them before you deal with basic Infantrymen.
Use doorways and corners. Buildings break line of sight. When you're low on health, a corner lets you fight one enemy at a time.

Challenge Mode and The Gauntlet

There are 22 challenge stages across four categories, each with its own goal. The stage briefing tells you the goal. The Gauntlet runs all of them in sequence and is the real skill test.

Tips:

Learn each stage once for layout, then go for the target.
Heatseekers and napalm are the fastest way to clear dense timed stages.
In The Gauntlet, don't take risks early. Losing a run late hurts much more.

Multiplayer

POSTAL supports LAN multiplayer for up to 16 players, in co-op or deathmatch. There's no official online matchmaking. To play over the internet, friends typically use a virtual LAN tool. Make sure everyone is on the same Steam build.

POSTAL vs POSTAL Redux

	POSTAL (classic, free)	POSTAL Redux (2016, paid)
Engine	Original 1997 engine, community-updated	Unreal Engine 4 remake
Price	Free	Paid
Visuals	Original pre-rendered isometric art	HD recreated art and remastered audio
Content	22 levels, 22 challenges, LAN MP	A modernized version of the campaign, with its own extras
Platforms	PC	PC, and consoles (the Nintendo Switch version launched October 2020 as the series' console debut)

If you like the classic, Redux is the smoother modern version. The classic is great for the original atmosphere and its free price.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Shooting civilians. They don't count toward the quota and you waste ammo.
Wasting explosives on single enemies. The machine gun is unlimited. Save the heavy stuff for later levels.
Standing still near rocket users. Keep moving and duck.
Chasing 100% every level. Meet the quota and move on.
Playing with tank controls by accident. If the controls feel stiff, check that the modern control scheme is on.

Advanced Tips

Mine the approaches before you start a big fight. Enemies walk right into them.
Heatseekers from range let you take down Heavy-Weapons Experts before they get a clean shot.
Use the level geometry. Walls and buildings block rockets and bullets, so peek around corners.
Try the Japanese audio for a different take on the dialogue.

FAQ

Is POSTAL free on Steam? Yes. The classic POSTAL is free on Steam.

What's the difference between POSTAL and POSTAL Redux? Redux is a paid Unreal Engine 4 remake from 2016. The free classic is the original game with community updates.

Does POSTAL have online multiplayer? LAN only (up to 16 players, co-op or deathmatch). Use a virtual LAN tool for internet play.

How do I finish a level? Eliminate the required percentage of hostiles shown on the HUD, then end the level.

How many levels are there? 22 campaign levels, including Special Delivery and the Tokyo and Osaka levels, plus 22 challenge stages.

Is there anything new for POSTAL fans in 2026? Running With Scissors announced a POSTAL comic book on Kickstarter in August 2026. Flesh & Wire is in development, and POSTAL 2 VR and POSTAL 2 Redux are being worked on by partner studios.