TEAM EVALUATION / Dead Letter Dept. (PC)

Nowadays, in an era where many of us are stuck behind computer screens, tapping out emails and completing paperwork, the last thing you’d expect to stumble upon is a video game that has you glued to a virtual computer screen, typing away addresses, snippets of text, and even a dash of gibberish. Enter Dead Letter Dept., a peculiar and eerie journey that’s unsettling right from the get-go. It even reminded me of my own stint in an admin job where I was lost for hours inputting client info to the rhythm of my Spotify playlists, an escape from the monotony.

Dead Letter Dept. is a first-person horror game with a single, unique mission: decipher the details from undelivered mail. One day you’re entering addresses, the next you’re dealing with cryptic clippings or alien languages that no Earthling could comprehend. Our protagonist is a regular individual, newly settled in a packed apartment with unopened moving boxes, tackling a temporary data entry role in a city that’s new to them. The whole ambiance screams dystopia with its endless, prison-like hallways and dim, ghostly green lighting casting sinister shadows. Surprisingly, it’s the assigned ancient computer that brings a sense of security, its antique monitor a relic from the 90s.

As you begin your role, the first in-game day is simple, almost mundane. With my typing speed clocked somewhere between 67-69 words per minute with over 90% accuracy—not that it makes a difference in the game—testing my skills while immersed in this unnerving atmosphere was captivating. While the opening day seems tame, as the days pass, the atmosphere grows eerie. Suddenly, the game throws more sinister challenges, giving off a chilling vibe suggesting there’s more deceit and darkness lurking.

My experience with reviews usually leaves me a tough customer; I approach games, movies, and even books with skepticism. My expectations were modest going into Dead Letter Dept., but what I found was a hauntingly immersive story that pulls you into its unsettling world. Yet, it’s best to see it for yourself. Give it a go, and see how Dead Letter Dept. manages to dial up the fear factor with nothing more than a keyboard and screen.

My friend Madeleine, who inexplicably enjoys getting spooked, is my go-to for horror genre insights. She dragged me along this spine-tingling journey, and, fearing the dark myself, perhaps this was the bravest gaming stint I dared to face. Still, here’s my take on Dead Letter Dept. It isn’t riddled with the typical jump scares; instead, it instills a persistent feeling of unease, as if invisible eyes are tracking your every keystroke.

At the start, you’re just logging gibberish torn from the mail, but as your in-game days spin, you start piecing together that these documents are not just random. There’s a hidden narrative, cryptic and disturbing, with whispered secrets meant just for you. Our character leaves an ambiguous past—possibly murky and fraught with secrets—and thus you descend into a labyrinth of uncertainties with multiple outcomes.

Dead Letter Dept. unfolds over six days spanning a few hours’ gameplay but effectively features multiple pathways, ensuring you’ll revisit its shadowy corridors. It’s not for the casual gamer who pops in for a brief stint, though. With only one save per journey, you’ll need to commit to seeing each session through. The creepy ambiance builds with continuous play, transforming what might look like an ordinary typing task into a chilling experience.

Although not a fan of horror, I found myself engrossed. The game transforms typing into a rich narrative canvas, and its chilling premise doesn’t detract from the experience, allowing even hesitant players to delve into its layers of scares. Without pandering to gore, its eerie setting, and synchronized controls and soundtrack weave a story you’d relish uncovering, time and again.

So, if, like me, you dread the dark corners of gaming yet still venture through them, Dead Letter Dept. is a welcoming find. It’s heart-pounding yet satisfying, offering a horror experience that invites even the faintest of heart to brave its depths. Challenging preconceptions and cleverly crafted, it’s an exciting addition to your gaming library, and one I suggest checking out if you fancy a narrative-driven thrill ride. And no, you don’t need Madeleine with you—this one’s worth stepping into solo.