Team Analysis: Dead Letter Dept. (PC)

In today’s digital age, many of us are glued to our computers, routinely firing off emails to co-workers or completing forms for insurance. The notion of a video game that places you in front of a virtual computer screen, entering data and typing up mysterious addresses and snippets of text, might seem a little far-fetched. Yet, here we have Dead Letter Dept., a strange and chilling experience, designed to unsettle you from the very start. It takes me back to my days in an accounting firm, engrossed in hours of data entry, punctuated only by the beats of a Spotify playlist.

Dead Letter Dept. is a first-person horror game with a simple premise: you’re tasked with typing out the contents of forgotten, undelivered mail — ranging from addresses and letters to newspaper clippings and even cryptic languages that might as well be from another world. The protagonist is an ordinary individual, newly arrived in a bustling city, living amid unpacked boxes in a cramped apartment and juggling a temporary data entry job. The atmosphere is unsettling, with stark, industrial hallways that feel like a prison, and the dim, greenish hue that doesn’t ease the discomfort. Surprisingly, amidst all the gloom, I felt a strange comfort upon discovering the computer assigned for my data entry tasks. From the outside, it seems innocuous, an outdated monitor reminiscent of the 90s, but this quickly changes.

The first day on the job in the game is straightforward and uneventful, yet there’s an underlying tension. I’m no typing maestro, but with speeds around 67-69 words per minute and 92-93% accuracy, thanks to some online typing tests, I found it amusing to apply some real-world skills in a horror game environment. Initially, there’s nothing deeply alarming about the content you’re handling, but as the game progresses, strange and unsettling stories start to emerge from the text you transcribe, giving off serial killer vibes. Without giving away spoilers, this game will haunt you, keeping you riveted to your screen with its subtle, unexpected scares.

As someone who’s generally skeptical about both movies and books, my expectations for this game were modest, yet I was left thoroughly impressed. Dead Letter Dept. offers a captivating and haunting journey that’s both unique and memorable. Don’t just take my word for it; give it a shot yourself and see what makes Dead Letter Dept. so uniquely gripping.

Now, I have a personal rule with horror games; when in doubt, bring in Madeleine. She relishes the thrill of a good scare while I tend to steer clear. But, here we are, diving together into this eerie typing game, each bringing our perspective to the table.

Dead Letter Dept. stands out in the realm of psychological horror. It’s not about cheap jump scares, although it caught me off guard a few times. Instead, it thrives on that unsettling sense of being watched as you type away. This game evokes a distinct discomfort rather than sheer terror, which is arguably even more effective.

At first, you’re merely transcribing undecipherable text from letters. Yet, as you continue, these fragments coalesce into an ominous narrative seemingly directed at you. We don’t know much about the player’s past, only that they recently moved to this city. Whether you’ve committed past sins or stumbled upon forbidden knowledge, you’re inexorably drawn into a nightmarish experience that leads to multiple, unpredictable endings.

The entire game unfolds across six days and can be wrapped up in roughly three hours. The prospect of different endings drives replayability, urging you to explore all narrative paths. One thing to note: this game is better suited for extended play sessions. With just one save per run, it’s crucial to set aside adequate time to avoid losing progress, maintaining the immersive tension that this experience thrives on.

Even though I’m not a horror aficionado, Dead Letter Dept. won me over with its innovative take on typing games. The story is captivating enough to draw in players who might otherwise shy away from such titles. The game nails those essential elements: the setting is eerily beautiful, devoid of gore, and the controls and music are perfectly fitting. It feels akin to navigating a disquieting short story that lingers with you long after it’s done.

For someone like me, who typically needs a buddy like Madeleine when it comes to horror games (or rather someone to play while I watch), Dead Letter Dept. was a revelation. It’s a game that folks who are a bit uneasy with horror can genuinely enjoy alone. I urge my fellow apprehensive gamers to give it a go because it might just surprise you as it did me.

In the end, Dead Letter Dept. is a must-experience for both horror buffs and newcomers alike. It cleverly turns the mundane act of data entry into a gripping, spooky adventure. Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or cautiously curious, this game promises to be an unforgettable ride.

This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.