TEAM REVIEW: Dead Letter Department (PC)

In today’s world, where our lives often revolve around computer screens, it’s curious to find a game where you’re staring at a virtual monitor. Enter Dead Letter Dept., a bizarre and unsettling experience that dominates your attention from the start. I can’t help but be reminded of my own times in an accounting office, mindlessly entering client details with only a Spotify playlist for company.

Dead Letter Dept. is a first-person horror game with a unique angle. Your task is simple but disturbing: type out addresses and snippets from undelivered mail, newspaper clippings, and even indecipherable alien languages. The protagonist is someone new to the city, living amidst unpacked boxes and attempting to navigate a temporary data entry job. The surroundings are more dystopian than welcoming, with extensive industrial corridors and dim lighting that adds to the eerie vibe. Yet, the old-school computer assigned for typing duties oddly feels like a comforting presence amidst this nightmare.

Initially, the gameplay appears straightforward and innocuous. I admit my typing skills are moderate, roughly 67-69 words per minute. Though accuracy seems irrelevant here, the game invites you to put your skills to the test in a chilling environment. As you progress, the game ramps up the horror, introducing sinister writing and images that suggest you’re not just playing a typing game but uncovering something far more sinister.

I fancy myself quite the critic across all forms of storytelling, whether in books, movies, or games. Entering Dead Letter Dept., my expectations were modest. Yet, this game not only met but exceeded them, delivering a haunting journey that’s shockingly gripping. But don’t just take my word for it—dive in and discover its dark charm for yourself.

My colleague, Alex Southgate, finds horror games testing, and I usually bring along someone braver than myself, like Madeleine, to handle the scary bits. Dead Letter Dept. pushes boundaries, creating unease rather than delivering predictable jump scares. This isn’t about overt horror but about a profound discomfort, more disturbing because it feels insidious.

You’ll soon realize there’s more to this game’s story than meets the eye. Documents and mail aren’t just random data. They paint a picture, hinting at past secrets or perhaps unlocking forbidden knowledge. The tale can end in numerous ways, adding replay value.

Dead Letter Dept. spans about six in-game workdays, taking approximately three hours to complete. With a single save file, planning for a full playthrough is crucial to retain immersion and truly appreciate the narrative crescendo.

While horror isn’t my go-to genre, this game caught my attention. It offers something new to those unfamiliar with horror, maintaining intrigue without overwhelming players with relentless scares. The storytelling excels, thanks to a compelling mix of unnerving atmosphere and engaging plot development. The design and soundscape pull you deeper into its world, crafting a narrative as much felt as seen.

Even if you’re not a hardened horror fan, Dead Letter Dept. offers a slice of mesmerizing discomfort that might just win you over. It’s a game that invites you to relish its unusual mechanics, drawing you back to explore every corner of its bizarre story. As someone who finds horror rather daunting, I find this game remarkably accessible and genuinely engaging. The experience offered in Dead Letter Dept. is well worth exploring, even for those of us wary of what’s lurking in the dark.