Interesting, I find the 'mood' very cozy and welcoming. There's nothing nicer than a warm, dimly lit room with a computer (or in this case VCR) when it's cold and rainy outside :)

The stark landscape and accented voiceover seem to be inspired by the documentary Happy People: A Year in the Taiga by Werner Herzog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnY17CImaQ

It's just themed on a Werner Herzog documentary (which are inherently pretty gloomy). But also, who can say for sure

It feels like it's trying to evoke Bioshock vibes or a similar retro-punk dystopia.

Well he did use the penguin that walks off into oblivion

You are the prototype of the jealous HN commenter.