Which Secret Level Episodes Are Worth Your Time?

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As a hardcore gamer with over 30 years under my belt, I must say that “Secret Level” has truly outdone itself! Each episode is a masterful blend of humor, action, and poignant storytelling that perfectly encapsulates the essence of some of the most iconic video games in history. From the brutal satire of “The Outer Worlds” to the unrelenting grimdarkness of “Warhammer 40,000,” each episode offers a unique perspective on the world of gaming that resonates deeply with my own experiences.

If blockbusters such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Five Nights at Freddie’s, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie demonstrate that viewers are now ready for video game adaptations, then think of Secret Level as a tasting platter. Created by the same team behind Netflix’s animated anthology Love, Death + Robots, Secret Level delivers 15 miniature adaptations based on 15 unique video-game franchises. While the final product is diverse, it leans towards lesser-known games and typically presents a straightforward interpretation (with one notable exception being the peculiar take on Pac-Man within Secret Level).

Despite being an intriguing exploration, this experiment, if it captivates viewers, might pave the way for more seasons that innovatively explore video-game adaptations. But which episodes of Secret Level are truly worth investing your time in? Here they are, arranged from least to most engaging:

15.
“Playtime: Fulfillment”

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that during some parts of “Playtime: Fulfillment,” it feels like I’m unwittingly tuning into an advertisement. However, “Playtime: Fulfillment” might as well pass for an ad, given its scenes where Kevin Hart’s daughter Heaven, portraying a bicycle courier, dashes past PlayStation characters such as Kratos and Sackboy. To top it off, her dad, Kevin Hart, chats non-stop in her ear. The climactic revelation at the end is essentially a proclamation of the virtues of video games – something that seems redundant, given that anyone who chooses to watch “Playtime: Fulfillment” already acknowledges this.

14.
“Mega Man: Start”

As a die-hard movie enthusiast with a soft spot for the Mega Man series, I was hoping Secret Level would bring some vibrant energy to its dark and gritty world. However, this brief origin story fell flat, feeling more like a missed chance than an engaging watch. The narrative ends where it should have started, leaving essential elements such as the iconic blue armor, the infectiously catchy tunes, and all that makes Mega Man fun for fans, until the very end.

13.
“Unreal Tournament: Xan”

It’s fair to assume that people didn’t play Unreal Tournament for its narrative. Perhaps this reason contributes to why this adaptation of the first-person-shooter series feels predictable, with a renegade robot igniting a rebellion through a sequence of improbable triumphs in a sci-fi colosseum. However, props go out to bringing back Unreal Tournament 3‘s voice actor Fred Tatasciore as the announcer.

12.
“Spelunky: Tally”

“The episode ‘Tally’ follows after three other episodes delving into the repeated cycle of life, death, and reincarnation faced by video game heroes. Standing alone, this interpretation feels quite shallow since it mainly focuses on a dull starting point rather than the dynamic tunnels that Spelunky is known for.

11.
“Armored Core: Asset Management”

Keanu Reeves in a mech suit! That’s pretty much the whole pitch for this adaptation of FromSoftware’s third-person-shooter franchise, which casts Reeves as a cynical pilot whose closest companion is the computer-enhanced voice in his head. It’s nothing special — and it’s tough to shake the feeling that Cyberpunk 2077, in which Reeves played a prominent role, would have been a much better fit for Secret Level — but it’s a decent enough introduction to an underappreciated video-game franchise.

10.
“Crossfire: Good Conflict”

If you haven’t heard much about “Crossfire”, that’s alright. This combat game gained immense popularity in Asia, but didn’t quite make it big in the U.S. This specific episode features two competing mercenary groups, both claiming to be the good guys, battling over a suitcase held by a jerk. The action is decent, and this is the only “Secret Level” episode set in reality.

9.
“Pac-Man: Circle”

This bold, gruesome take on the classic game Pac-Man deserves respect for its innovative approach. Instead of a round yellow character chomping dots, we have a humanoid figure armed with a sword navigating a maze filled with ghosts and beasts. A floating yellow dot serves as his guide, urging him to consume everything in his path. To clarify: the game Pac-Man: Circle is undeniably foolish in both design and execution. However, it can’t be denied that it attempts to offer something intriguing.

8.
“Honor of Kings: The Way of All Things”

I haven’t played much of “Honor of Kings” – a multiplayer online battle-arena game produced by Tencent Games from China – so I can’t comment on how accurately this version represents its original content. However, the thoughtful reflections on the concept of free will and destiny, which might not be too unusual for late-night discussions among college freshmen, are delivered with a touch of style. In this game, a vengeful orphan confronts the uncaring ruler of a decaying city in a challenging round of Go.

7.
“Exodus: Odyssey”

Is it accurate to label this as a video game adaptation if the game itself hasn’t yet hit the shelves? With Exodus not slated for release until 2025, this episode seems more like an advertisement. However, it’s a well-done ad, albeit one that leans heavily on themes similar to Interstellar. The story revolves around a father pursuing his estranged daughter across the galaxy, where time dilation causes her to age faster than him.

6.
“Sifu: It Takes a Life”

In the game titled “Sifu: It Takes a Life“, the protagonist, a martial-arts master, follows a familiar path as he seeks revenge, utilizing a mystical amulet that rejuvenates him into an older form when he perishes in combat. However, this adaptation cleverly spins this idea by drawing parallels between the hero’s fight and a chef’s persistent pursuit of perfection in crafting dumplings. The game’s striking animation, a refreshing change from the realistic aesthetics common in many episodes of “Secret Level“, adds to its distinctiveness within the gaming world.

5.
“Concord: Tale of the Implacable”

The series ‘Concord: Tale of the Implacable’ comes out several months following Sony’s multiplayer shooter debacle, a game so poorly received that it resulted in both the termination of the game and the closure of the studio responsible for its creation. Regardless, this episode – a fun and lighthearted take on ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, centering around a contentious spaceship crew embarking on a quest to escape the grasp of space capitalism – is one of the show’s unique and enjoyable offerings. Think of it as a glimpse into an alternate reality where ‘Concord’ achieved immense success.

4.
“Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen’s Cradle”

This initial installment of Secret Level, marking the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, serves as an engaging introduction to classic characters from its expansive universe. A character trapped by a curse, a valiant paladin, a sorcerer manipulating spells, and a dragon with five heads… As a Game Master embarking on a new campaign, this episode could make for an appealing launching pad.

3.
“The Outer Worlds: The Company We Keep”

In a world where space has been dominated by ruthless corporations, the game titled “The Outer Worlds” often takes a backseat to the popular “Fallout” series, both created by the same team. However, “Secret Level‘s review provides a comprehensive introduction to the game’s cynical atmosphere. The story revolves around Amos, an unyielding orphan who undergoes over a hundred body modifications in his quest for corporate advancement and reunion with his beloved woman. Although this satire might seem blunt, it resonates particularly well given our current times of diminishing subtleties.

2.
“Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear”

Regarding the lack of subtlety: Among all the dark tales in the game Secret Level, “Warhammer 40,000” stands out as the most grimdark, and that’s perfectly fitting. This story is set in a distant future where nothing but war exists, as the opening text indicates. It focuses on a team of space marines from an enigmatic, rigidly religious order as they battle their way through hordes of ruthless aliens using guns and chainsaws. It’s a thrilling, violent experience.

1.
“New World: The Once and Future King”

In this reimagined version inspired by Amazon’s popular multiplayer role-playing game, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays a self-absorbed king who aspires to subjugate a far-off territory, only to find himself experiencing humility instead. This new addition explores the idea of a protagonist with regenerative abilities – on this island, it becomes clear that those who perish are miraculously reborn without harm on its shores. There’s a blend of humor and subtle emotional depth as King Aelstrom repeatedly loses contests to the island’s current ruler, eventually focusing his efforts on crafting a replacement arm for his faithful servant. “This island represents endless opportunities for redemption,” Aelstrom is informed, and his character development amid numerous setbacks offers a heartening demonstration of the potential of video games.

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2024-12-18 02:55