As a long-time video game enthusiast who has spent countless hours traversing digital landscapes, I found myself deeply immersed in Secret Level‘s masterful animation series. Each episode was a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of gaming history, expertly crafted to resonate with both veterans and newcomers alike.
Video game adaptations are fast becoming Hollywood’s equivalent to the success of Marvel movies, with numerous good adaptations coming out annually (excluding Borderlands). Director Tim Miller (Deadpool, Love, Death & Robots) challenges this trend in an intriguing manner: Instead of adapting a single property, why not produce an anthology series that combines various, seemingly unrelated intellectual properties as a tribute to the gaming industry? This is precisely what Secret Level aims to accomplish.
“Amazon Prime Video’s latest animated series, Secret Level, showcases unique and creative adaptations of various video game franchises in each episode. While some episodes have generated excitement due to their focus on iconic titles like Mega Man, Pac-Man, and Warhammer 40K, others delve into lesser-known or quirky properties that may seem more akin to an unusual ad or leave you questioning the intended audience. Despite the series’ emphasis on video game storytelling, it includes episodes based on games that are not playable, such as Exodus and Concord.
In keeping with typical anthology series structure, each episode varies in quality – some are excellent, while others fall short. Throughout the series, Tim Miller’s distinctive visual style shines brightly, but the main challenge for Secret Level lies in its brief format. Each episode spans 5-17 minutes (excluding introductions and credits), leaving insufficient time to delve into the intricate narratives found within video games. Occasionally, episodes captivate viewers with short bursts of stunning visuals, action, and character development; however, others seem pointless and hollow, much like cinematic gameplay trailers that leave one wondering, “That’s impressive, but where’s the actual gameplay?
In summary, “Secret Level” is a captivating, yet somewhat uneven homage to the diverse universe and folklore of video games, offering a sneak peek into which concepts could be developed further. It’s not limited to gaming enthusiasts, making it an engaging experience for all viewers, particularly those who admired Tim Miller’s previous animated work, “Love, Death & Robots.” When the narratives fall short and leave you questioning their significance, the stunning world-building and visuals remain captivating enough to hold your attention.
Here are my reviews for each episode:
Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen’s Cradle (MISS) – I love a cliche fantasy “protect the chosen one” story with a likeable party of misfits, especially when there’s cool magic and dragons evolved. Despite hitting all those elements, this episode does not feel like D&D at all. I wish they would have added some more physical tabletop gaming elements instead of creating a one-off story, but I guess that’s the issue of adapting a TTRPG in just a 15-minute episode.
Sifu: Life (HIT) – I’ve long believed that the resurrection feature in Sifu would make an exceptional adaptation, and this installment truly delivers. The change in animation style, the instances of resurgence during combat sequences, and the amusing exchanges with the dumpling vendor–it was all fantastic given the brief duration. The entire episode seemed to pass by swiftly, but it left me eager to revisit the game once more.
In this unexpected turn of events, I found myself utterly captivated by the episode titled “New World: The Once and Future King”. Admittedly, my experience with MMORPGs is limited, having only caught glimpses of New World. However, the charm and humor in this installment were undeniable. I hadn’t realized how much I needed a hearty dose of Arnold Schwarzenegger lending his voice to a comically clumsy, yet endearing character for ten minutes. The show masterfully balances the absurdity of endless deaths and respawns from the same tough boss with amusing banter between the protagonist and non-player characters (NPCs). It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the somber tone of many other episodes, leaving me eager for more of Arnold’s boisterous exclamations, “AELSTROM LIVES!”, as his character repeatedly meets his demise while attempting to reclaim his crown.
“Unreal Tournament: Xan (HIT) – A Gaming Enthusiast’s Wish
Warhammer 40,000: Know No Fear (HIT) – This episode was my top pick from the series. I’ve watched it a total of five times and still haven’t played Space Marine 2. The overall production, particularly the sound design and transitions between visual styles, was truly exceptional. Every step in the Marine’s armor feels heavy, and the brutal impact on enemies is palpable. Each death felt incredibly intense, and the clash with the antagonist left me eager for more. Even with minimal knowledge about the Warhammer universe, I could easily lose myself in hours of stories like this.
As a gamer, I’ve been reflecting on my feelings towards Pac-Man: Circle ever since the Shadow Labyrinth trailer dropped. Before that, it was my go-to favorite episode due to its daring and edgy reinterpretation of the classic Pac-Man game. The survival storyline with horror elements had me eager for more innovative spins on traditional arcade games. However, after seeing the Shadow Labyrinth trailer, I can’t shake off the feeling that this episode might have been an extended teaser for it, which leaves me a bit underwhelmed. Regardless, it’s still worth checking out!
Crossfire: Good Conflict (MISS) – I found some enjoyment from this title even without prior knowledge, yet this specific episode seemed laborious. It’s a common military shooter that appears more like a dull action movie, with every shade of grey as its main character. If you appreciate mindless action, it isn’t terrible per se, but it left me with no desire to engage with Crossfire further.
I was thrilled to explore Secret Level’s take on From Software’s mech series, Armored Core: Asset Management (HIT), as a dedicated fan of Armored Core 6. The studio’s enigmatic storytelling style is brilliantly carried over, with the narrative unfolding primarily through interactions between the pilot and an AI voice. In this episode, this narrative device is used effectively to create a chilling, grotesque atmosphere that truly encapsulates the dark undertones of the Armored Core universe. Keanu Reeves delivers a convincing performance as the rugged, disillusioned pilot, who, despite the AI’s soothing and benevolent voice, finds himself making questionable choices. The fight sequences left me yearning for more mech action in media, and I found myself pondering the specifications of their builds throughout the entire sequence.
The Outer Worlds: Sharing the Universe (HIT)
Mega Man: Start (HIT) – This was my most-anticipated episode, but I ended up debating whether this was a hit or miss. On one hand, it was essentially a five-minute teaser trailer for a Mega Man movie or show that may never exist, which may be disappointing to longtime fans who want to see that iconic suit in action (the wait continues). However, so many moments hit in that short time frame: the nostalgic music, the emotional interaction between Dr. Light and Rock, the buster cannon blast, and lastly–watching our boy transform into the legend himself. It’s tough to get through this episode without catching feelings. Five minutes is an insultingly short length for the beloved series, but that’s because Secret Level did such a fantastic job it left me begging for more.
Exodus: Odyssey – A Preview (MISS) – Much like the episode of Pac-Man, Exodus: Odyssey serves as a teaser trailer for an upcoming game, but unlike Pac-Man, which is well-known, Exodus is a new sci-fi RPG that’s not yet widely discussed. I’m hoping that the hype surrounding the game will meet expectations, because this episode doesn’t exactly help its cause. It has the potential to tell an engaging story about a father and his daughter aging at different rates in space, but it seems to overextend itself by attempting to create a vast world within the confines of a mere 15-minute runtime.
In my opinion, the standout from Part 2 for me was Spelunky, despite it being the briefest. It felt like a heartfelt ode to the roguelike genre, filled with countless amusing and merciless demises due to the tiniest missteps that cut short my journeys. Memories of those unfortunate incidents – the spikes, torches, and mistaken paths – flooded back, accompanied by mental images of me banging my head in exasperation. Yet, I adored how each death was portrayed as “recording your own unique adventures”: this is exactly why I invested countless hours into both versions of Spelunky. The finale of this compact episode added the final touch – the explorer persisting in her deadly journey and never seeming to escape, a situation I can relate to since I too have never conquered Spelunky.
Concord: Tale of the Implacable (MISS) – I found this episode peculiar. It was vibrant, humorous, and cheerful, contrasting with earlier ones, yet left me indifferent about its significance. The show aims to honor video games, but Concord no longer exists, making it a regrettable and untimely addition. Watching an expired coupon book offering fantastic discounts is a similar feeling. It’s disheartening to see a recent IP exquisitely animated when the game itself doesn’t exist anymore. This episode seemed to last as long as Concord’s entire existence. Interestingly, I watched it in a private screening, and unlike other episodes that ended with applause, this one concluded with the saddest claps.
In this reinterpretation of Honor of Kings: The Way of All Things (HIT), they strive to create a MOBA game narrative that is captivating and cinematic. What sets this apart is its unique approach – rather than delving deeply into characters, it spotlights the thrilling gameplay itself.
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2024-12-20 23:39