Team Evaluation: Dead Letter Dept. (PC)

In today’s world, where many of us are glued to our computers, typing away emails or filling out documents, it’s quite unexpected to stumble upon a game that mimics this very experience—only with a twist. Welcome to Dead Letter Dept., an eerie and peculiar game that is likely to unsettle you from the get-go. I recall my own time in an administrative job, where mundane data entry was a regular task, coupled with music playlists just to get through the monotony.

Dead Letter Dept. transforms this banality into a first-person horror adventure. The game hands you a job: transcribing details from old, undelivered mail. Sometimes these are letters, or perhaps addresses and article snippets, and occasionally, even cryptic alien-like symbols. You’re thrown into the shoes of an ordinary person, trying to make ends meet in a cramped city apartment, surrounded by unpacked boxes and working a temporary data entry gig. The vibe is decidedly dystopian—a maze of industrial corridors lit with dim, green lights, casting strange shadows. Yet, strangely enough, there’s comfort when you sit at your assigned computer. It’s an ancient monitor, seemingly from the ’90s, but it settles into familiarity.

Your first day on the job is as straightforward as it gets, but something feels ever so slightly amiss. I find solace in my typing speed, which on a good day, averages around 67-69 words per minute, with an accuracy of 92-93%. Not that it matters much here, but it does add a bit of personal skill challenge while dealing with the eerie interface. As I delved deeper, the content on-screen became unnerving, hinting at sinister undertones and mysterious narratives. Without spoiling too much, prepare for a ghostly experience that will keep you invested. Watch out for unconventional jump scares that add to the haunted ambiance.

Despite my initial reservations as a seasoned critic of media, Dead Letter Dept. is a captivating and unusual journey worth experiencing. But don’t just take my word for it. Dive in and see the unnerving beauty for yourself!

Now, my colleague, Alex Southgate, joins this disconcerting adventure. When it comes to horror games, I always call Madeleine for backup—she thrives on a good scare, unlike me. Here’s her take on this macabre typing challenge.

Dead Letter Dept. aces psychological horror. This isn’t your typical jump-scare thriller (though it’ll get to you at least once). Instead, the game invests in creeping unease, like you’re constantly being watched. This feeling of dread becomes more intense as you progress—almost as if the messages on the screen are directed specifically at you. Our protagonist’s backstory remains obscure; we only know they’ve relocated from elsewhere, possibly escaping a dark past or laden with forbidden knowledge.

The game unfolds over six days, taking about three hours from start to finish, with numerous endings that enhance its replay value. This isn’t a title for casual play; it demands your time and focus. If interruptions break the immersion, it loses its power, becoming merely a typing simulator. For the full effect, Monotony and anxiety blend beautifully in a single uninterrupted session.

As a non-horror aficionado, I surprisingly relished my time with Dead Letter Dept. It adds an innovative twist to the typing game genre that even non-horror enthusiasts can appreciate. It remains accessible, drawing in players who might not typically venture into such eerie territories.

Technical aspects are spot on—the unsettling setting is presented masterfully without resorting to explicit horror, and every element, from controls to ambient music, fits perfectly. It feels akin to living through a haunting short story—one that beckons multiple revisits.

For those apprehensive about horror, like me, this game stands as an alluring exception. It’s a chilling, immersive experience, highly recommended even if you shy away from horror.

This review is based on a game copy provided by the publisher.

Review Summary

Dead Letter Dept. delivers a chilling, immersive journey into a world of unsettling madness. By turning mundane data entry into a suspenseful nightmare, it secures its spot as a must-play for horror enthusiasts. Even those typically wary of scary games will find it surprisingly engaging.