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DEAD LETTER DEPT.

DEAD LETTER DEPT. Game Cover
96%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, gameplay
grinding, stability
96% User Score Based on 1,501 reviews

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DEAD LETTER DEPT. Game Cover

About

DEAD LETTER DEPT. is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Belief Engine and was released on January 30, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In DEAD LETTER DEPT., you take on the role of a temp data entry worker in a big city, decoding fragmented and mysterious texts from damaged images. As you type prompts to decipher strange mail, the lines between reality and the messages blur, revealing hidden secrets and multiple endings. Each playthrough offers a unique experience with a vast array of cryptic correspondence to explore.

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DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
DEAD LETTER DEPT. screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,501 reviews
atmosphere221 positive mentions
grinding23 negative mentions
  • Unique concept that combines typing mechanics with horror elements, creating a genuinely unsettling experience.
  • Excellent atmosphere and sound design that effectively build tension and dread throughout the gameplay.
  • Multiple endings and hidden narratives encourage replayability and exploration, making it engaging for players.
  • The game can be visually dark and difficult to navigate at times, which may frustrate some players.
  • Limited save options (only one save per playthrough) can be inconvenient, especially for those who may need to pause or take breaks.
  • Some players may find the typing mechanics tedious, particularly during longer text segments.
  • atmosphere
    363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread without relying on traditional jump scares. Reviewers highlight the game's unique sound design, visual style, and the psychological tension that builds throughout the gameplay, making it a standout experience in atmospheric horror. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of paranoia and discomfort, drawing them into its eerie world through its innovative typing mechanics and narrative depth.

    • “Brilliant game, incredible atmosphere, and genius incorporation of the typing itself.”
    • “This game is dripping with atmosphere and there's something strange and creepy about reading other people's postcards and mail.”
    • “The atmosphere is immaculate.”
    • “The atmosphere is downright oppressive at times, and the tension and stress for something as innocuous as correcting OCR on mail is extremely good.”
    • “The atmosphere, the letters (both created by the player and processed in-game) are weirdly endearing, and the sound design???”
    • “I got goosebumps at several points while playing, all from atmosphere, no jumpscares to cheapen the effect.”
  • gameplay
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this title is centered around a unique typing mechanic that immerses players in a chilling atmosphere, effectively blending horror with mundane tasks like data entry. While the core loop can feel repetitive and lacks significant variation, many players find the experience engaging and worth replaying for its multiple endings and atmospheric storytelling. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative approach to gameplay, though it may not appeal to those who prefer more dynamic mechanics or narrative-driven experiences.

    • “There are multiple endings, and with the gameplay, it makes me feel that it's worth replaying at least once.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly unique and captivating (and fun!).”
    • “Fantastic atmosphere and narrative gameplay that is worthy of running through several times.”
    • “But the game isn't nearly as replayable as you would think based on the store page; the main gameplay loop just doesn't have enough variation to it.”
    • “The gameplay itself is repetitive but with a purpose.”
    • “I think this game made me realize that I don't like this style of gameplay, or it is just because I had to do the same thing three times just to get to where I was, but I can't stand these typing sequences, especially the first two days.”
  • story
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a complex blend of horror and mystery, conveyed through letters that players must type out, creating an immersive atmosphere filled with dread and curiosity. While some players found the narrative engaging and layered, others criticized it for being vague or lacking depth, with mixed feelings about the multiple endings and their impact on the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its unique approach and ability to evoke strong emotions, though opinions vary on its coherence and execution.

    • “The backstory is fascinating and now that I've completed two endings, it's starting to fit together exactly what is going on here.”
    • “There are layers upon layers of storytelling interwoven throughout this game, including storylines you can only untangle by paying careful attention to the letters that come across your screen.”
    • “The story goes way deeper than I expected; even after three playthroughs, there's still a lot to uncover.”
    • “The story is a bit meh... and the whole game is way too dark for darkness' sake, which was a little annoying.”
    • “What little story the game has is too vague and cryptic to be interesting, and the typing quickly becomes extremely tedious.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, but there's just no story.”
  • graphics
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique, creepy aesthetic that effectively enhances the overall atmosphere, though some players find the visuals frustratingly dark and difficult to navigate. While the retro-inspired art style and sound design contribute to a haunting experience, the game's low visibility can detract from immersion, prompting some to adjust graphic settings for better clarity. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity and ability to evoke tension, despite occasional issues with readability.

    • “The visuals are stunning, if a bit too dark lighting-wise, and the jump scares get me, but in a way that you can adapt to pretty easily.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, visuals, everything was just perfect.”
    • “The horror elements of this game also aren't lost, with the graphics and sound design really helping to sell the fear the game inflicts.”
    • “A game about data entry in a dark room where everything starts to break down around you is a brilliant concept; however, Dead Letter Dept decides to go another route and removes all tension, escalation, and immersion while at the same time making the title so dark with its aesthetic design choices that it's almost unplayable.”
    • “Although the graphics can at times be frustratingly dark and not easily navigated when walking around, especially later on as things intensify, it was a pretty great game and I can honestly say I've never played anything quite like it.”
    • “As much as I adore the art style, I have to admit that a couple of the 3D sections towards the end of the game were a little bit eye-straining because of how hard it was to see anything.”
  • music
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the eerie atmosphere and psychological tension, drawing strong comparisons to the iconic soundtracks of the Silent Hill series. Players appreciate the hauntingly beautiful and melancholic compositions that evoke feelings of loneliness and unease, effectively complementing the game's visuals and sound design. While most reviews praise the soundtrack as phenomenal and immersive, a few users noted that the music could feel repetitive or mind-numbing during extended play sessions.

    • “This game has possibly the most horrifying atmosphere and vibe of anything I have ever played, as well as a killer soundtrack.”
    • “The music and soundscape are amazing and really complement the general vibe of everything that's going on.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, visuals, everything was just perfect.”
    • “A lot of the musical tracks also serve more to create a mood rather than weaving a story through composition, and this helps the atmosphere reach a sense of unease.”
    • “The reason why I couldn't do it in one session is because I found the music to be mind-numbing and not in an immersive way.”
    • “The music is the only real negative feedback I'd have to give.”
  • replayability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings and hidden secrets that encourage players to explore different narrative paths. While some players feel the main gameplay loop lacks variation, many appreciate the depth and atmosphere that enhance the replay experience. Despite its relatively short length, the game is deemed worth revisiting for completionists and those seeking to uncover all its layers.

    • “It's a standalone experience that allows for replayability for completionists and was worth every penny.”
    • “The game is also highly replayable, with multiple endings and extra lore hidden throughout its letters.”
    • “There's replay value, as you can try for different endings and there are also plenty of secrets to discover within the mail.”
    • “I loved the concept and I had a good (relatively, I had a couple heart attacks) time playing it, although it does feel very short and not that replayable to get all the different endings.”
    • “But the game isn't nearly as replayable as you would think based on the store page; the main gameplay loop just doesn't have enough variation to it.”
    • “I didn't think I'd want to replay this multiple times, but the creator was caring enough to make it worthwhile without forcing me into a multi-hour scavenger hunt.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional impact of this game is profound, with many players reporting feelings of anxiety, fear, and unease that linger long after gameplay. It effectively evokes a spectrum of emotions, from terror and paranoia to moments of deep sadness, often catching players off guard with its unexpected intensity. While it may not resonate with everyone, those who connect with its themes find it to be a uniquely unsettling experience that challenges their emotional resilience.

    • “In spite of its simple premise, this game caught me off guard several times with how unexpected, terrifying, and occasionally touching it could be.”
    • “A relatively short indie game about typing out whatever junk the machines cannot yet read as you sift through countless letters; subtle, heavy, and full of emotional gravity, it makes you feel like you’re prying into something far darker while realizing, halfway, that you were meant to find it.”
    • “This is the first game in a while that really had my emotions going; I remember playing the demo and I instantly got hooked because of how it made me feel.”
  • grinding
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism for its tedious gameplay, particularly the requirement to type out long paragraphs and transcribe repetitive content, which many players find frustrating and monotonous. While some appreciate the design choice as a reflection of the game's themes, the overall sentiment is that the grinding can detract from the experience, making replayability less appealing. Despite its immersive atmosphere, the tedious nature of the tasks often leads to player fatigue and a reluctance to pursue multiple endings or achievements.

    • “The unskippable, hard-to-read captchas can essentially soft-lock your progress for the day, and the long paragraphs you’re required to transcribe - sometimes multiple times - can become tedious.”
    • “Having to fully transcribe the same lengthy postcards and texts multiple times across multiple playthroughs is deathly tedious, and keeping them copied and pasted is, at best, a band-aid solution to this problem.”
    • “What little story the game has is too vague and cryptic to be interesting and the typing quickly becomes extremely tedious (I guess you could argue that's the point since it is emulating data entry, but that doesn't make it fun to play).”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been a point of contention among users, with many reporting bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly with camera movement and computer interface interactions. While some players appreciate the unsettling atmosphere created by these glitches, others find them distracting and indicative of a lack of polish. Overall, the experience may require some initial troubleshooting to achieve a smoother performance.

    • “Took about 1–2 hours of troubleshooting/setup to get everything back to working order.”
    • “Ok, so my biggest issue is that it feels a bit buggy.”
    • “The art style is generally appealing, though the slightly buggy camera movement can be distracting, especially since toggling camera smoothing doesn’t seem to fix it.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of quirky and relatable elements, with players enjoying the amusing snippets of life found in the letters they sort through. The humor ranges from cute and funny to unsettling, contributing to the overall engaging vibe of the game. Additionally, players appreciate the lighthearted and prompt responses from the developers regarding bugs, adding to the game's charm.

    • “Also very funny to be living in a megastructure seemingly in the middle of Idaho, unless I misunderstood.”
    • “I really love the vibe of the game and I think letters are already so interesting, so I love being able to see the snippets of random lives through the various mail you sort through, whether those snippets are funny or unsettling.”
    • “And of course the letters themselves, which range from pedestrian to funny to adorable to unsettling.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing significant performance drops, such as frame rates plummeting to 5 fps, necessitating restarts. However, the overall experience is praised for its uniqueness and accessibility, particularly in its typing mechanics, which adapt to player performance.

    • “Kudos to the developer for creating such a unique experience, and I hope this game exceeds your expectations in terms of performance and reach. Thank you.”
    • “The controls are what you expect for the walking parts, and for the actual typing, it is fairly lenient on typing speed and accuracy. The parts where you do need to make sure you type quickly adapt based on your performance, making this game quite accessible as long as you can type.”
    • “I experienced small hiccups with the performance; I randomly had to save my game and restart as the game dropped to around 5 FPS, which I initially thought was part of the game.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, as I frequently encountered frame drops that severely impacted my gameplay experience.”
    • “The game suffers from significant performance issues, making it frustrating to play at times.”
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3h Median play time
4h Average play time
3-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

DEAD LETTER DEPT. is a simulation game with horror theme.

DEAD LETTER DEPT. is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing DEAD LETTER DEPT..

DEAD LETTER DEPT. was released on January 30, 2025.

DEAD LETTER DEPT. was developed by Belief Engine.

DEAD LETTER DEPT. has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its grinding.

DEAD LETTER DEPT. is a single player game.

Similar games include Lost in Vivo, POOLS, Layers of Fear, No one lives under the lighthouse, Last Report and others.