Team Evaluation: Dead Letter Department (PC)

In today’s digital age, where many of us spend countless hours typing emails or filling out forms online, you might not expect to find a game that’s all about staring at a virtual computer screen, inputting addresses and data, or even typing random gibberish. Enter Dead Letter Dept., a peculiar and unsettling game that captures your attention from the get-go. It brings to mind my own past experiences in an administrative role at an accounting firm, where I would frequently zone out while entering client details into the system, using a Spotify playlist as a reprieve from the monotony.

Dead Letter Dept. is a first-person horror game, thrusting you into an eerie world of undelivered mail. Your task? Typing out information from old letters, addresses, clippings, and even bizarre, otherworldly languages. The protagonist is a modest figure, navigating life in a tiny, cluttered apartment, working a temporary data entry gig for the first time in a bustling city. The environment is uninviting—industrial corridors stretch endlessly, shrouded in gloomy green light that casts unsettling shadows. Surprisingly, solace is found in the form of the assigned computer, a vintage-looking monitor from the ’90s, seemingly harmless at first glance.

Your in-game workday starts off uneventfully, yet some content feels slightly off. I’ve never been the fastest typist, clocking in at around 67-69 words per minute with decent accuracy, but here, speed isn’t what matters. As you progress, the game deviates from its mundane beginnings. The imagery and writings on the screen grow darker, evoking chilling thoughts of serial killers. Without revealing too much, be prepared for a haunting experience filled with moments of genuine suspense—not your typical horror, but still enough to keep you glued to the screen.

Now, I approach all media types critically, be it movies or books, and I wasn’t expecting much from this game either. Yet, I was pleasantly blindsided by its engaging narrative and ominous atmosphere that linger with you long after you’ve finished playing. Curious? Dive in and explore what Dead Letter Dept. has in store for you.

To add another perspective, Alex Southgate shares his experience, joined by Madeleine, his partner in tackling horror games. Unlike him, she revels in the thrill of being scared, making her the perfect companion for this typing-focused dystopian adventure. It’s not about jumps, but the uneasy sensation of being observed as you type, creating an ambient psychological terror that’s hard to shake off.

You begin by deciphering cryptic text from old mail but soon realize there’s more at play. The scattered messages seem to form a pattern, perhaps communicating something personal to you. With no clear background on the protagonist besides moving from another city, you’re either running from a dark past or harboring secrets that most would never uncover. Prepare for a descent into a psychological labyrinth with multiple endings to discover.

The entire game spans six workdays, lasting about three hours in total. Its multiple endings enhance replayability, challenging players to unearth every possible path. If your gaming sessions run short, you might risk losing progress due to limited save options, which could hinder immersion. But if you commit to it, you’ll experience tension and intrigue akin to a suspenseful short story.

Despite not being a horror enthusiast, I found myself thoroughly engaged by Dead Letter Dept. It reinvents the typing game with a gripping narrative that promises to attract even those who typically shy away from horror. The game’s setting expertly balances eerie vibes without resorting to excessive gore, and the music complements its uncanny storytelling.

For someone who usually sticks to Madeleine’s side during horror games, Dead Letter Dept. was an impressive find. It’s approachable for even the more faint-hearted, like myself. Thus, I wholeheartedly recommend this game to players who might usually avoid the dark but are willing to explore a bit of the unknown. Whether a horror fan or not, this game should be on your list.

Reviewing the gameplay: 10/10, plot/writing: 9/10, design/visuals: 8/10, and replayability: 9/10 gives Dead Letter Dept. an overall 9/10—a compelling foray into the niche of typing horror that is bound to thrill and entertain with its creative approach to an otherwise mundane activity.