Secret Level’s Outer Worlds Episode Intensifies the Sci-Fi Horror

If I had to sum up The Outer Worlds in just three words, I’d say “capitalism gone wrong.” It’s wrapped in a package full of quirky mascots, extravagant ads, and playful banter, but once you peel back the facade, the biting satire becomes unmistakable. The Secret Level’s animated anthology dedicates an episode to this universe, focusing on Amos, an illiterate orphan trying to gather enough money to take on the risky role of a test subject. While there’s minimal overlap with the game’s original cast, the central message echoes loud and clear: a world governed by unchecked capitalism is a grim reality where true prosperity remains out of reach.

In this particular installment of Secret Level, Amos, an ambitious young orphan, is smitten with Felicity, a budding scientist who dreams of escaping their dreary surroundings. Felicity has moved on to work for Auntie Cleo, one of the notorious mega-corporations ruling the Halcyon system. Set in this distant region, The Outer Worlds portrays a world dominated by ten companies under a massive corporate umbrella, ruthlessly prioritizing profit over people almost to a comedic extent.

Amos sees a glimmer of hope to reconnect with Felicity by signing up for a perilous stint as a test subject for Auntie Cleo, diving in with youthful zeal. Yet, his eagerness doesn’t spare him from suffering dire consequences. The attention to detail in this Secret Level episode is impressive, capturing everything from faded wall posters to Amos’s varied expressions as acid gnaws at his arm. Auntie Cleo’s operation is infamously toxic, even by standards that would embarrass the likes of Jeff Bezos. The connection to the original game amplifies the horror. While The Outer Worlds featured a series of similarly dark situations, it often glossed over them. Here, Secret Level zooms in on one individual’s dismal existence.

The episode’s narrow scope makes it profoundly bleak. Part of what made The Outer Worlds so captivating was not just its anti-capitalist narrative but the player’s freedom to wield a weapon and challenge the game’s inhabitants. Sure, I encountered maddening scenarios like someone denied medical treatment because they weren’t contracted with the right megacorp or seeing self-harm punished as damage to company assets. But I always had a trusty shotgun at my side, providing a liberating sense of justice.

Unfortunately, Amos and Felicity don’t get that kind of liberty. While there’s a heartfelt moment where they ponder if they are, indeed, the villains, there’s no real freedom or satisfaction for them. It paints a convincing picture of the universe beyond the game but is undeniably a downer. Similar tales of unfulfilled ambitions can be found just by glancing out your window. In Secret Level, an anthology designed to celebrate gaming worlds, it comes off as a bit of a downcast note. Fortunately, with a sequel in the works, I look forward to revisiting these moral dilemmas armed with a few witty companions and a futuristic shotgun.

You can catch all 15 episodes of Secret Level now streaming on Prime Video.