For those who know me, it’s no secret that I’m not exactly the number one fan of horror games. It’s not that I dislike horror altogether—there are certainly settings I enjoy—but those sudden jumpscares? Hard pass. Games for me are meant to be relaxing, not heart-stopping. However, I do have a soft spot for psychological horror. It offers just enough eerie storytelling to get under my skin and keep me on edge in the best possible way. That brings us to the new release we’re discussing today: “DEAD LETTER DEPT.,” a psychological horror game landing on your screens by the end of this month.
“DEAD LETTER DEPT.” is set to hit Steam on January 30th, and I have to admit, the concept has piqued my interest. In this game, you step into the shoes of a temporary worker at a postal warehouse. Your task? Manage a collection of undelivered mail that couldn’t find its way due to various reasons, with bad handwriting being the least of them.
Here’s the gist of the game: as a member of the department, your primary job is to retype illegible words and addresses on these wayward letters. Sounds straightforward, right? But as you delve deeper into your work, unsettling patterns start to emerge among these scattered messages. Could these be targeting you? You can’t shake the feeling that they might be.
Working alone in a somewhat creepy warehouse, you’re cut off from the outside world. Your only link to society is through the letters you read. Over time, this routine turns into a bizarre, dreamlike experience. The stories you uncover from the mail hint at unsettling scenarios, all while a nagging sensation of being watched plays on your mind. While rent needs to be paid, it’s worth pondering—how much is your sanity worth?
This unique typing experience has you entering prompts into your computer to uncover distorted images. Along the way, you get glimpses into the lives of people who have lost connection with their mail, unearthing hidden secrets. Every playthrough promises to be different, with a vast amount of mail to sift through. But with that comes the unnerving sense of intrusion—is it worth the eerie discomfort in the end? That’s up to you.
If the idea of reading other people’s mail speaks to you, “DEAD LETTER DEPT.” is right around the corner. For those eager to test the waters, there’s a demo available now on Steam. And if you’re anything like me, the full experience is just a couple of weeks away.
