Bystanders

This article is about bystanders in POSTAL 2 onwards. For bystanders as they appear in POSTAL, see: Civilians

Bystanders are NPCs in the POSTAL series from POSTAL 2 onwards that inhabit the game world, living their everyday lives. They come in all shapes, sizes, races, and voices, serving no main purpose other than to make the game world feel more alive and vibrant.

POSTAL 2

A drunk civilian dancing.

Bystanders can be left alone, or killed in any way the player chooses. However, doing so can attract Police attention or make other bystanders in the area retaliate. Most of the bystanders would be terrified by the Postal Dude's actions and/or by corpses in the streets, but some others will laugh or clap when the Postal Dude kills someone, or will kick the dead person's body while saying "Here, you forgot one!" or "Here's one for your mother!".

Conversations between civilians seem to lack any sense at all, which will prompt some of them to ask if their interlocutor is even listening, or to claim the other is crazy. They are also exceptionally rude and crude towards the player, usually giving the middle finger or a dirty look if bumped into.

Bystanders also come in many different races. They can be white, Latino, or black, which changes nothing else aside from their dialogue. There are also a few body types in the game, ranging from the classic skinny to a fatter and portlier version, often with receding hairlines and ugly apparrel.

A Week in Paradise/POSTAL 2 Complete

In the A Week in Paradise mod, bystanders are given the ability to talk on their cell phones which sparks random, meaningless conversations with them and the caller. On top of all this, most residents of Paradise are seen wearing glasses, hats, and carrying handbags to add variety to the game. Bystanders sometimes do random activities, like smoke, fart, or sneeze. Police are also given official headwear too. The mod also features new character models, such as the gang members from Eternal Damnation. Some of these changes were officially added into POSTAL 2 Complete.

Paradise Lost

In the Paradise Lost expansion, bystanders can be seen carrying various accessories such as umbrellas in the Rainy Foliage zone. The expansion also features new character models for the new setting, such as bystanders dressed in winter clothing in the Nuclear Winter zone or civilians wearing raincoats in Rainy Foliage zone. Bystanders can be seen doing various activities such as smoking cigarettes, sitting on the benches, playing the guitars, or kissing with each other for greeting.

Postal III

Bystanders in Postal III react pretty much like they did in POSTAL 2, though no longer armed with any weaponry, merely shoving or punching the Dude if they become aggro'd. Unlike the previous game, killing bystanders doesn't attract law enforcement but does affect the player's Karma meter and by proxy the story.

POSTAL 4: No Regerts

Bystanders also appear in POSTAL 4: No Regerts, inhabiting the areas of Edensin. They behave similarly to how they did in POSTAL 2 and III, though they are much quicker to anger than in the previous games.

Gallery

A woman is talking on her cellphone at Paradise Mall.

Two Civilians having a picnic in the Forest.

Two Civilians having a picnic in the Forest.

A civilian wearing a costume during Halloween.

A civilian in the Nuclear Winter zone.

A woman in the Ashen Skies zone.

A woman in the Rainy Foliage zone.

A woman in the Rainy Foliage zone.

A woman in the Rainy Foliage zone.

A woman in the Rainy Foliage zone.

A man in the Rainy Foliage zone.

A woman in the Arid Desert zone.

A woman in the Arid Desert zone.

A woman in the Nuclear Winter zone.

A woman in the Nuclear Winter zone.