The following contains spoilers forSecret Level’sExodusepisode.
Tim Miller’s upcoming anthology seriesSecret Levelis already set to feature many of the franchises gamers have come to know and love, but it’s not without episodes that revolve around games that haven’t even been released yet. One of those games isExodus, an upcoming AAA science fiction action-adventure RPG franchise by Archetype Entertainment, a branch of Wizards of the Coast. However, whileSecret Level’sExodusepisode is based on the game, there is currently no indication that the characters and stories featured in the episode will also be in the game.
AsExodusis being developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio led by former BioWare veterans, it makes sense why it would bear some similarities toBioWare’sMass Effectseries. This even comes down to the official description ofExodus' playable protagonist, the Traveler, which eloquently refers to the character as a “renegade amongst the stars.” As it turns out, the episode in Tim Miller’sSecret Levelthat is based onExodusseems to show the Traveler’s renegade side more than whatMass Effectwould refer to as their “paragon” side, ultimately establishing some assumptions about the protagonist’s role and personality ahead of the game’s release.
Secret Level’s Exodus Episode Shows the Traveler’s Renegade Side
Ahead of its release,Exodushas made it seem as though Travelers are heroes whom all of humanity depends on.The purpose of the Traveler inExodusis to “discover worlds” and “break empires,” with this purpose even being given the noble role of “service” and the honorable title of “sacrifice.” Overall, the goal of Travelers is to explore distant worlds to prevent humanity’s extinction by stealing alien weapons and technology from the most powerful enemy in the universe — the Celestials. However, based onSecret Level’sExodusepisode, Travelers might not be all hero and heroine.
Secret Level’s Exodus Episode Shows the Traveler Might Not Be Purely Heroic
While there is much more to the story ofSecret Level’sExodusepisode, it nonetheless serves as evidence that the game’s protagonist may be a bit more renegade than paragon, as they are shown making decisions with little regard for the consequences or the people those choices might negatively impact. Specifically, the Traveler depicted inSecret Level’sExodusepisode seems to do whatever they want, as theirrenegade statusallows, whether it be stealing ships, “abducting” consenting individuals, or showing a general lack of respect for those in authority.
As a matter of fact, the main character inSecret Level’sExodusepisode, Nik, says of Travelers at one point, “Every Traveler’s a thief.” While Travelers do set out to steal alien technology, Nik says this in the context of a Traveler stealing something from their own family. This can only mean thatExodus' Travelers, while they might not ultimately be out for themselves, are willing to do whatever it takes to further their mission, even if it means stealing from innocent people. It’s especially ironic that within seconds of this truth about Travelers being uttered from Nik’s mouth, the Traveler steals a ship and disappears into the sky, along with Nik’s daughter.
Based onSecret Level’sExodusepisode, Travelers might not be all hero and heroine.
This certainly poses some questions about just how heroic Travelers might be in the world ofExodus, especially since they have been painted in such a positive light ahead of the game’s release. Since it is being developed by ex BioWare devs,Exoduswill feature plenty of choicesincorporated into its narrative, but it seems as though Travelers may have no choice but to sacrifice any morals they may have in order to do what is necessary. At the very least, they might need to get used to stealing, since every Traveler is apparently a thief.
Secret Level
Cast
Amazon Prime Video’s Secret Level is an animated series that explores different gaming worlds, telling short stories within them. Some of the featured games include Armored Core, Sifu, Unreal Tournament, Concord, Ghost of Tsushima, Pac-Man, and The Outer Worlds.
