Team Evaluation: Dead Letter Dept. (PC)

Imagine a world where your daily grind revolves around typing on a computer screen within another screen. It’s an insane concept, right? Yet, that’s exactly what you get with Dead Letter Dept., a peculiar and chilling video game that has you glued to a virtual keyboard. Reminds me of my previous job in an accounting firm, where mundane data entries for hours made me lose track of time while Spotify kept me sane.

In Dead Letter Dept., you’re placed in a dystopian horror environment seen through a first-person perspective. Your job is pretty unusual: typing out details from undelivered mail that come in various forms—letters, addresses, newspaper clippings, and cryptic symbols that look downright alien. You play as a seemingly ordinary individual relocated to a bustling city, tackling a temporary data entry role in a small, dingy apartment. The world presented is anything but welcoming; dark green lights and endless corridors evoke a prison-esque atmosphere. Yet, strangely enough, a kind of solace is found at your retro computer, akin to stepping back into the 90s.

Your first workday in-game is straightforward—almost soothing in its simplicity. Yet, as you progress, the unsettling factor ratchets up, introducing eerie challenges and clues that almost feel like they’re part of some serial killer’s blueprint. Soon you’re on edge, hesitant to peel your eyes away from your monitor, keeping an eye out for the unexpected jump scares that frequent most horror titles—but with a unique twist here.

To give proper due to this uniquely spine-chilling game, you need to commit to it in full sessions. It’s designed with varied endings, ensuring replayability, but cut your sessions short too often, and you risk missing out on the full experience, diminishing the unsettling ambiance. Once you dive in, though, brace yourself for something both new and gripping—a journey through discomfort and suspense that prompts multiple visits.

As someone usually put off by horror games, I surprisingly found myself hooked on Dead Letter Dept. It’s fascinating how it manages to cloak the mundane task of typing in the veil of psychological horror so effectively. Its narrative pulls you back in, pushing your curiosity to uncover all its possible narratives without veering into over-the-top gore.

Overall, Dead Letter Dept. gets high marks across the board—stunning gameplay, a gripping plot, immersive visuals, and the inherent storytelling flexibility of its multiple endings. Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or not, this game offers something intriguing that’ll likely send a shiver down your spine. Prepare to unravel the unnerving messages hidden in each piece of mail you process, and don’t be surprised if it stays with you long after you log off.

Based on a review copy provided by the publisher. Ratings: Gameplay: 10/10, Story: 9/10, Design: 8/10, Replayability: 9/10 — Overall: 9/10. Definitely a piece of “mail” worth indulging in!