In a world where many of us find ourselves glued to our screens for work, whether it’s tapping out emails to colleagues or wrestling with online insurance forms, you’d hardly expect a video game to center around more screen time, right? Welcome to Dead Letter Dept., a bizarre and unsettling exploration that grips you with its eerie atmosphere from the get-go. Flashbacks to my old desk job in accounting spring to mind—endless hours of entering client names and addresses, my mind wandering to the tunes on my Spotify playlist.
Dead Letter Dept. is a first-person horror game that has you decoding the mysteries of undelivered mail—addresses, articles, letters, and even cryptic languages that feel decidedly otherworldly. You play as a character who’s just moved to a big city, holing up in a cramped apartment with boxes still unpacked. The ambiance screams dystopia with its labyrinth of industrial hallways and their spooky, dim green lighting. Surprisingly, solace comes from the retro computer assigned for your work. It’s an old monitor that, at first glance, seems perfectly ordinary, reminiscent of tech from the ‘90s.
Your first day on the job is straightforward and somewhat mundane. While my typing speed peaks around 67-69 words per minute with reasonable accuracy, speed here matters little. What’s fascinating is using these practical skills within a horror game setting. Initially, the tasks don’t seem particularly scary, but as the game progresses, you’ll notice a chilling undercurrent—disturbing images and text hint at far darker themes. Without spilling too many beans, let’s just say this game keeps you on high alert with unconventional jump scares that defy typical horror game tropes.
As someone who’s not shy to critique all forms of media, including films and books, I approached Dead Letter Dept. with modest expectations, only to be delightfully engrossed by its immersive, mysterious tale. But don’t just take my word for it— jump in and see for yourself!
I must admit, when it comes to horror, I rely heavily on my friend Madeleine. While she revels in the thrill of a good scare, I’d rather not. Yet here I am, diving into this creepy dystopian typing game intending to share my thoughts on it.
At its heart, Dead Letter Dept. excels in crafting psychological horror. More than about sudden scares, it deals in mounting dread—a feeling of being watched as you enter text on your screen. I wouldn’t say it’s outright scary; instead, it’s more deeply unsettling, which might be even more jarring.
As you input undeciphered mail text, an underlying narrative slowly takes shape—a puzzle aimed straight at you. Where did your character come from, exactly? Either you’re running from a wicked past or entangled in secrets unfathomable to the average person. Whichever it might be, prepare for a narrative ride with multiple outcomes.
Playable over six in-game days and about three real-world hours, Dead Letter Dept. offers multiple endings to entice you back for different story paths. But note: this isn’t a game you’ll pick up for a quick thirty-minute session since each playthrough allows only one save. To avoid losing progress, commit the time needed to seep in the story’s suspense fully. Disconnecting too often might scatter the building unease, leaving a simple typing game shell instead.
Even for a horror skeptic like me, Dead Letter Dept. impresses with its fresh spin on the genre. The story pulls you in for more, and the horror elements never outstay their welcome, making the game approachable for those who wouldn’t typically pick a horror title.
Nailing the essentials, Dead Letter Dept. offers a setting rich in unsettling ambiance without resorting to blood and gore. Its controls, music, and overall vibe mesh perfectly, akin to reading a disturbing short story you’ll desire revisiting.
Being someone who typically leans on others for moral support when it comes to horror, I’m genuinely impressed. Dead Letter Dept. stands as a game that I can not only face solo but enjoy thoroughly. So, for any of you out there who share my hesitant approach to horror, this game comes highly recommended.
This review was written using a game copy provided by the publisher.
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 the mundane world of data entry into a gripping horror tale, a must-have for genre fans. Yet even for those of us usually wary of scares, there’s a rich adventure waiting to be unearthed.
