22 years since the original ‘graced’ our screens, Postal 2 Redux is set to bring back the beloved, bad-taste FPS, courtesy of Flat2VR Studios and Running With Scissors. There’s unquestionably a fondness for this controversial classic; head to Steam, and you’ll find Postal 2 with a 96%-positive rating from over 100,000 user reviews. People know what they’re getting into, and in that sense it certainly delivers. Speaking exclusively to PCGamesN, Flat2VR CIO and co-founder Harry ‘Skeeva’ Skigis tells us how the developer decided what parts needed to change, and the importance of preserving its brash, crass essence.
There are lots of modern picks among our best FPS games, but there’s also been a notable resurgence for ‘boomer shooters’ that harken back to the ’90s and early ’00s, or come from that era originally. Postal 2 slots neatly into that lineup alongside classics such as Doom and Duke Nukem 3D, or modern takes such as Dusk and Ultrakill. “There’s the nostalgia angle, but more than that, boomer shooters were refined experiences that focused on doing one thing right: making the player feel powerful but challenged, while having fun,” Skigis muses.
That sense of instant action is something people crave at times, he says. “There have been some world-class narrative games the last 20 years, but sometimes I just want to shoot something and have a thrilling experience.” Flat2VR describes Redux as ‘preservation with purpose,’ but justifying a remaster means deciding which elements of the original should stay and what you’re going to change.
Skigis was eager to build out the likes of interior locations to feel more full and representative of the lore, for example, but the visuals needed a lighter touch. “We don’t want fancy graphics just for the sake of it, but rather something that feels fresh and updated, while somehow also very familiar,” he remarks. “It’s easy to end in an uncanny valley or lose the soul of the game; part of the charm was the quirkiness.”
While we’ve arguably seen an increasing ‘maturity’ across some games in recent years, Skigis is adamant that there’s still very much a demand for more vulgar and ‘shocking’ experiences, pointing to the huge success of Grand Theft Auto 5 as an example. “For some players, having those elements of shock can be cathartic; for others, it will leave them with thoughts for reflection. Games should be interesting and discussed; they are not just products to consume.
“We shouldn’t be placing limits on what can and cannot be made,” Skigis continues, “as expression is one of the most important freedoms to protect. Players want a wide range of experiences. In some cases, these games can be violent, but ‘non-violent’ games can do just as well. Having a wide range of options is important for players so they can make their own choices.”
Flat2VR says it’s aware of potential issues in regions including Germany and New Zealand that have particular content restrictions. While it intends to push hard to bring the game to a worldwide audience, it admits that it cannot guarantee Postal 2 Redux (and the separate VR project) will be available everywhere. It doesn’t intend to change anything, however, stating that the PC version will remain uncensored even if other platform holders request tweaks.
With the Postal 2 Redux Kickstarter currently in pre-launch, Flat2VR says it’s currently expecting the game to arrive in 2026. While there will be some additional content, this will depend on stretch goals; while multiplayer and co-op is likely to fall on this list, the studio notes that it “doesn’t feel like Postal if you can’t cross streams with your friends.” It’s also worth noting that the remaster won’t be a free upgrade like the 20th-anniversary update, but the developer promises it’ll be “worth every penny.”
In closing, Skigis tells us he believes Postal is special because it offers players freedom to find what they want. “It doesn’t ask you to play a certain way. It doesn’t judge you for your actions. The game is about you. In a lot of modern games, it feels like you are playing on rails narratively. In Postal, you are the Postal Dude, but it’s more like you are cosplaying him rather than watching his life. It’s a crazy world out there in Paradise, AZ; go and have fun!”
Flat2VR and Running With Scissors are aiming to launch Postal 2 Redux in 2026. You can follow the Kickstarter campaign here, with additional stretch goals based on the total count reached. These include a Postal 4 outfit for the Dude, new moves for Mike J when you piss on him, full Steamworks support for modders, and the Super-Fun Pigeon Hunter Mission (for real this time).
While we wait for its arrival, take a look through the best classic PC games you can still play today, or make sure your experiences really shine with an upgrade to the best gaming monitor in 2025.
Additional reporting by Ed Smith for PCGamesN.