Postmaster places you in control of your very own Post Office. Simple on the surface and casual in its approach, Postmaster is less complex than most simulations, and yet it still delivers the experience that fans of the genre crave.
You begin the game with a small office space that eventually evolves into a full-fledged Post Office. But before that can happen, you must furnish your office with amenities such as vending machines and hire a full-time staff to assist with delivering mail. Your starting funds are fairly limited, so you must be picky about how you spend your money until you gain enough clientele.
As you progress through the game, you are given the option to expand your business throughout the city. The radius of your Post Office is determined by the type of vehicles you use. Each vehicle has its own radius, and this determines where you can deliver the mail. For example: pedal bikes and motorbikes can only reach so many blocks, while a van or a large truck can cover a much broader area of the city. Since your funds are limited at the start, you can only purchase low-end vehicles such as a pedal bike, motorbike or the smallest of vans.
The fastest way to gain clientele is by placing postboxes throughout the city. But keep in mind that you are only capable of placing those boxes within your Post Office’s radius. Upgrading your vehicles and obtaining better equipment will guarantee a much broader radius.
The only way to get better vehicles, vending machines and other fancy amenities is by spending what is called ‘Star Points’. These stars can be obtained by performing a plethora of tasks. You can gain stars by completing achievements, tasks and other missions that are located on the menu bar. You can keep track of these missions by constantly monitoring the mission guide that is located on the left side of the screen.
Staying competitive is a determining factor in Postmaster. Since there are other post offices competing for your business, it’s important to keep your prices reasonable to drive more business. Since postal rates constantly fluctuate, keeping your eye on the charts and statistics will help you make the appropriate decisions when it comes to your pricing.
Postmaster is a casual simulator that plays at a moderate pace. This allows the player to sit back, relax, and enjoy the game even though the gameplay relies heavily on micromanagement. Once you give orders to your postal drivers, they will continue to perform the same tasks until you change them. You can basically set them and leave them be. Having multiple drivers is a must because it’s almost impossible for one driver to collect all the mail (especially after your radius has expanded).
The same philosophy applies to your Post Office as well. As business picks up, you will need to have multiple mail clerks and mail sorters to accommodate the ever-growing demand. Operating a Post Office is no easy feat. It doesn’t take long to discover that not only do your vehicles need to be maintained, but security is also needed to combat crime. The chances of your Post Office being robbed increase with the amount of money you make.
Postmaster includes a day and night cycle and a dynamic weather system. Your Post Office operates like a real Postal Service — you work from 9am-5pm and after closing, your Post Office will shut down for the night. A feature is present to speed up and slow down time, so you do not have to wait hours for the next day to begin.
Postmaster comes with a full length tutorial that outlines everything you need to know. While it’s not required, it is highly recommended. The tutorial takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and it’s well worth your time.
There is more to Postmaster than just staring at stats and endless menus. You can actually see the inside of your Post Office and watch customers mail their packages. You can even look inside your Post Office’s garage to maintain and monitor your vehicles. This adds a layer of depth that many simulators don’t bring to the table.
Postmaster offers a rich experience that gamers of all skill levels can enjoy. So if you’re looking to try a simulator, but have been afraid to try one because of their complexity, then Postmaster’s user-friendly interface and simple gameplay is the right choice for you. You will be up and running with your own post office in no time.
James ‘Daripp3r’ Pittaro
Platform: PC (Also available for Mac)
PC System Requirements
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP (SP3)/Vista/7/8
Processor: Dual core CPU 2.4 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: Dedicated graphics card with 256 MB memory
DirectX: Version 9.0
Hard Drive: 500 MB available space
Sound Card: DirectX 9 compatible sound
Developer: Excalibur
Publisher: Merge Games
ESRB: N/A
Price: $14.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| Postmaster offers the right balance between strategy and graphics. | |
| Sound | |
| A catchy soundtrack keeps you entertained while you build your post office. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Postmaster offers a rich simulator experience with the comforts of casual-style gameplay. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Easy to understand and enjoyable to play, Postmaster is a fun game that anyone can enjoy. | |
