In today’s digital age, where most of us are glued to a screen, pounding out emails or filling insurance forms, it might seem odd to dive into a game about staring at yet another virtual computer screen. But that’s exactly what you get with Dead Letter Dept., a bizarre and unsettling game that keeps you hooked from the moment you start. It takes me back to my own days working at an accounting firm, losing hours to inputting client names and addresses over Spotify playlists to dull the monotony.
Dead Letter Dept. puts you in the shoes of an unremarkable protagonist navigating the lonely corridors of a temporary data entry job in a cramped apartment in a sprawling metropolis. The game plunges you into a dystopian world filled with industrial, prison-like hallways and dim, eerie lighting casting sinister shadows. It’s far from a welcoming environment, yet I found a strange comfort in the old, innocuous-looking computer screen I was assigned. It seemed like an ordinary relic from the 90s—harmless, at first glance.
The game kicks off simple enough. On your first day, you find yourself typing seemingly innocuous details from undelivered mail—addresses, articles, even strange languages from who knows where. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Despite not being the fastest typist, my average of 67-69 words per minute seemed adequate. But as the days pass, the game pulls you deeper into a sinister undercurrent with messages and imagery that give off chilling serial killer vibes. No spoilers here, but let’s just say Dead Letter Dept. can leave you paranoid about what’s lurking on that screen.
Surprisingly, this eerie experience turned out to be more than what I initially expected. Think of it like venturing down a fascinating yet petrifying path. Don’t just take my word for it—try your hand at typing through this tension-filled journey.
Alex Southgate
I usually drag my friend Madeleine into anything horror-related—I’m not the biggest fan of scares, but she thrives on them. So, we dove into Dead Letter Dept. together. The game goes beyond superficial jump scares (though they definitely exist). Instead, it toys with a growing paranoia that something is watching you as your fingers dance across the keyboard. It’s not so much nail-biting terror as it is a slow, creeping discomfort that stays with you.
Your task is simple: decode the messages in undelivered mail. But it’s not long before the pieces start to form a story uniquely connected to you. There’s a mystery about your past or knowledge you shouldn’t have that drags you through a haunting narrative arc.
Set over six game days, you can finish Dead Letter Dept. in roughly three hours. It’s got multiple endings, encouraging you to dive back in for more, especially if you’re not the type to drop in and out of games frequently. If you plan to play it, ensure you’ve got the time to immerse yourself fully—interruptions might dilute the chilling atmosphere this game brilliantly builds.
Even as a non-horror enthusiast, I found myself pulled into the intriguing narrative Dead Letter Dept. offers. The horror elements, subtly woven in, don’t overpower the experience, making it approachable even for those who, like me, shy away from traditional horror titles.
Taking a step back, I see a game finely crafted in both its eerie atmosphere and storytelling. Dead Letter Dept. isn’t about gore; it’s about unsettling tension. Everything from visuals to controls and sound integrate seamlessly to craft a grippingly uncomfortable story that’s worth revisiting.
For those avoiding the dark, like myself, this game offers an adventurous yet approachable experience not to be missed. Despite my apprehensions, I found a game I could enjoy solo, and I recommend it to anyone willing to confront the shadows on their screen.
This review is based on a game copy from the publisher.
Dead Letter Dept. scored impressively on all fronts—gameplay, writing, visuals, and replayability. It’s a chilling journey into madness that transforms routine data entry into a thrilling horror adventure. Even if horror isn’t typically your go-to genre, Dead Letter Dept. offers an unforgettable experience.
