The Last Worker review – unconvincing takedown of capitalist megastructures lacks conviction

PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Meta Quest; Wired Productions/Oiffy/Wold & Wood Interactive
Set in an Amazon-like fulfilment centre, this satirical adventure has interesting ideas but fails to adequately explore them

The Last Worker concerns itself with a timely subject: the growing automation of the workplace and its effect upon workers. Playing as Kurt, the sole human employee of an Amazon-like online retailer called Jungle, you spend your days keeping pace with an army of robotic drones as they sort millions of packages for delivery. Then an activist group wrangles you into a scheme to bring down the giant corporation, whereupon both Kurt's world and the game's central premise begin to fall apart.

Initially, The Last Worker is built around a light simulation of Kurt's daily routine. Using a hovering cart, you must locate assigned packages among the endless shelving units, and either transport them to a delivery chute or send them for recycling. Packages vary in size, weight, and condition, all of which must be checked before dispatch. Incorrectly sorted items affect your rating for the day's work, and if you get an F you'll be out the door faster than a Prime parcel.