Game Review: Dead Letter Dept. (PC)

In today’s world, where most of us are glued to our computer screens firing off emails or navigating tedious paperwork, the prospect of a game that simulates this mundane routine might sound bizarre. Enter Dead Letter Dept., a title that twists the concept of typing and data entry into a spine-chilling experience. Remember those monotonous hours spent entering client details during an accounting job, relentlessly typing while a playlist played in the background? This game will bring those memories right back, except now there’s an eerie twist.

Dead Letter Dept. plunges players into a first-person horror scenario with just one task: input details from a plethora of undeliverable mail, ranging from letters and addresses to peculiar alien scripts. The protagonist, a nondescript newcomer to a bustling city, finds solace in a dreary apartment among unpacked boxes. The job is temporary, the environment feels oppressive, with endless corridors bathed in sickly green hues that only enhance the sense of foreboding. Surprisingly, when you finally settle before your assigned computer, reminiscent of a relic from the 90s, it oddly becomes a place of comfort in the midst of chaos.

At first, the duties are deceptively simple. Yet, as you delve deeper, an unsettling vibe starts to emerge. Typing these obscure messages might remind you of an online typing test where you once scored just over 67 words per minute. Yet here, speed is secondary to the growing discomfort. As days progress, the narrative spirals, the words and dark images on your screen becoming more sinister. Without giving too much away, expect a terrifying journey that keeps your heartbeat racing—a haunted experience with an array of unexpected frights.

The early stages of Dead Letter Dept. might not immediately send shivers down your spine. However, give it time, and the narrative begins to unnerve you, drawing eerie parallels to some of the darkest thrillers out there. Alex Southgate offers additional insight, acknowledging his initial skepticism. Despite not being a horror aficionado, he found himself pulled in, even urging his braver counterpart, Madeleine, to join the plunge into the game’s creepy depths.

Dead Letter Dept. excels in psychological horror without relying heavily on typical jump-scare tactics. Instead, it creates a consistent, oppressive atmosphere that makes you feel watchful eyes boring into you. The storyline unfurls over a six-day period, typically taking about three hours, with multiple endings urging replays. This game demands commitment if you want to fully immerse in its uniquely creepy narrative without disturbance.

Even for horror skeptics like myself, this offbeat typing game impresses with its engaging storytelling and innovative approach. It blurs the boundary between traditional gameplay and interactive horror storytelling, creating an accessible entry point for players who usually shy away from fear-laden experiences.

Simply put, Dead Letter Dept. is a masterclass in turning the mundane into a thrilling narrative adventure. Its cleverly crafted design, combined with a haunting soundtrack and creepily detailed visuals, fashion a short story-like experience that begs to be replayed. This unusual venture into the annals of data entry clearly has something special to offer, even convincing those typically averse to the horror arts to sit up and take notice. If you’re ready to face the shadows and unearth secrets in the humdrum of letters, this game is a type-driven thrill you won’t want to miss.

Dead Letter Dept.
– Gameplay: 10/10
– Plot/Writing: 9/10
– Design/Visuals: 8/10
– Replayability: 9/10
– Overall: 9/10

Mail worth reading:
Dead Letter Dept. transforms ordinary data entry into an intense descent into madness, and it’s a must-play for horror aficionados. Even if the genre isn’t usually your thing, there’s plenty here to appreciate and enjoy.