Animated science fiction anthologies are becoming increasingly popular thanks to streaming services, with viewers enjoying short stories set in futuristic worlds and outer space. While several shows offer this type of content, Prime Video’s Secret Level stands out due to its bold scope and original idea.
I was so hyped when Amazon announced Secret Level back in 2024! It’s basically taken 15 of my favorite video games and turned them into these amazing, standalone animated sci-fi stories. It’s not just about copying the games, though – each episode really builds on the worlds we already know and love, giving us these really cinematic stories that feel both true to the source material and surprisingly fresh.
While not perfect, Secret Level was a visually captivating show. Over its fifteen episodes, it successfully brought imaginative, futuristic stories – and the feeling of interactive worlds – to television. Now with a second season planned, the show has a strong foundation to improve and potentially become a long-running hit.
Secret Level’s Animation Was Spectacular
Prime’s Sci-Fi Anthology Is Hard To Beat For Diverse, High-End Animation
One of the most striking things about Secret Level is its incredible animation. Each episode looks and feels like a beautifully made short film – a level of quality you don’t often see on television. Instead of sticking to one look, Amazon worked with several top animation studios around the world, giving each game’s universe a unique and distinct visual style.
The international teamwork really worked. Studios from Europe and North America each created episodes, and their unique styles made the overall project even better. Some episodes look incredibly realistic with detailed 3D graphics, while others have a more artistic, hand-painted look, or blend different techniques. The final product proves what’s possible in animation when creators have the money and freedom to explore their vision.
| Animation Studio | Location | Secret Level Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Image | France | Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen’s Cradle, New World: The Once and Future King |
| Digic Pictures | Hungary | Sifu: It Takes A Life, Armored Core: Asset Management, Honor of Kings: The Way of All Things, Playtime: Fulfillment |
| Blur Studio | United States | Unreal Tournament: Xan, Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear, Exodus: Odyssey |
| Illusorium | Spain | PAC-MAN: Circle, Mega Man: Start, Spelunky: Tally |
| Platige Image | Poland | Crossfire: Good Conflict |
| Goodbye Kansas Studios | Sweden | The Outer Worlds: The Company We Keep |
| Axis Studios | Scotland | Concord: Tale of the Implacable |
The show consistently looked fresh and interesting. It moved seamlessly between different art styles, making each episode feel special. For example, episodes inspired by military shooters like Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear had a realistic, rough look, while episodes with a fantasy sci-fi theme, like PAC-MAN: Circle, were bright, colorful, and featured over-the-top character designs. This constant change in visuals kept things exciting and prevented the show from becoming visually stale.
Each episode was crafted with remarkable detail. The environments in Secret Level felt incredibly immersive, the lighting was dramatic and film-like, and the action scenes flowed seamlessly, much like the games that inspired them. The overall effect was similar to watching a high-quality animated movie, but in a shorter, more focused format.
One of the most important things about the animation in Secret Level was how faithfully it captured the original games. The show carefully recreated well-known characters, weapons, and settings, while also allowing each animation studio to put its own creative spin on things. This blend of staying true to the source material and artistic innovation made Secret Level a visually exciting project, and it raises expectations for what’s to come in season 2.
Why Secret Level Reviews Were So Mixed
The Anthology Format Created A Wide Gap In Episode Quality
Although Secret Level looked great, it wasn’t consistently good, which led to mixed reviews. Because it was an anthology series, each episode was seen as a standalone story. Some episodes were emotionally powerful and well-written, but others felt rushed or too dependent on the original works they were based on.
A key issue was how quickly episodes moved. Many didn’t have enough time to fully build their settings before diving into the plot. This made some episodes feel more like action sequences than complete stories. While some fans who were already familiar with the original material enjoyed this fast pace, critics felt the show needed more developed characters and a more substantial story.
How the games were adapted also affected how well the episodes were received. Some games fit easily into exciting science fiction stories, but others felt forced. When a game didn’t have a particularly strong story, the episode often had to rely on impressive visuals instead. This meant the best episodes were truly great, but the weaker ones were very noticeable.
The show’s tone was sometimes inconsistent. One episode might be a serious, character-focused story, while the next could be fast-paced action or visually unusual. Some viewers found this variety thrilling, but others wished the show had a more consistent feel throughout.
As a film buff, I think the mixed reactions to Secret Level are pretty typical for an anthology series. When you have fifteen different directors and writers tackling fifteen separate stories, you’re bound to get some hits and misses. But when the show was good, it was really good, and that’s what sticks with me. It feels like a solid starting point with a lot of potential, not a failed experiment.
Secret Level Needs To Improve In Season 2
Longer Episodes And Broader Source Material Could Elevate The Series
The second season of Secret Level can improve by adjusting how long each episode is. Some episodes in the first season felt too short, which meant character development and important plot points had to be hurried or cut. Giving the episodes more time would allow for fuller stories that feel like faithful adaptations of the source material, rather than just highlights.
The series could also improve by offering a wider variety of game types. Season 1 included popular titles like Honor of Kings, Pac-Man, and Dungeons & Dragons, but many of the games focused on sci-fi shooting and action. Adding games from genres like horror, strategy, or story-focused adventures would make the series more interesting and appeal to a broader audience.
The show could be even better with a more consistent storyline. The best episodes of Secret Level weren’t just visually impressive; they used the game worlds to tell compelling stories. If the next season focuses on developing characters and exploring deeper themes alongside its strong visuals, it’s likely to be even more popular.
The show could also benefit from taking more chances with how episodes are structured. When Secret Level experimented with things like stories that didn’t follow a traditional order or unusual timing, those episodes were particularly memorable. If the show consistently embraced this kind of innovation, it would help season 2 really stand out from other anthology series.
Because of its strong background in animation and existing fans, Secret Level is starting from a great place. Season 2 just needs to improve on the successful parts of the first season, fix what didn’t work as well, and really use the freedom that the anthology format offers. If it can do that, Prime Video’s 15-episode sci-fi series has the potential to become a standout animated anthology.
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2026-01-18 19:12