Prime Video’s new video game-themed anthology series, secret Level, has arrived with a premise that initially sparks curiosity. Executive produced by Tim Miller, the creative force behind the acclaimed Love, Death & Robots, the show promises a collection of animated shorts inspired by various gaming properties. From exploring the origins of iconic characters like Mega Man to delving into the meta-narrative of roguelikes like Spelunky, the concept holds potential.
Regrettably, the execution falls short of its ambitious goals. Despite featuring a diverse roster of games, including global hits like Honor of Kings and Crossfire, the 15 shorts lack the spark of originality and excitement that define truly captivating storytelling. “It’s an captivating idea let down by a lack of interesting ideas,” notes one critic. The result is a series that neither effectively introduces newcomers to these gaming worlds nor offers fresh perspectives for seasoned fans.
One of the most glaring issues is the homogeneity of the episodes. While the source material spans a wide range of genres and styles, the visual and narrative approaches feel remarkably similar across the board. This stands in stark contrast to the stylistic diversity and tonal range that made Love, Death & Robots such a compelling watch. As one reviewer observed, “It’s kind of the opposite of love, Death & Robots, which featured a number of different styles and tones as it explored horror and sci-fi. That’s how we got stunning episodes like the trippy “The Very Pulse of the Machine.”
Ultimately, Secret Level leaves viewers wondering who its target audience truly is. Gamers seeking fresh takes on beloved franchises may find themselves disappointed, while those unfamiliar with the source material might struggle to connect with the stories. The series, while visually polished, lacks the narrative depth and creative flair needed to truly stand out in the crowded world of animated anthologies.
Adult Swim’s new animated anthology series, “Secret Level,” promises a thrilling journey through the worlds of beloved video games. However, despite its intriguing premise, the show falls short of its potential, delivering a visually monotonous and narratively underwhelming experience.
While some episodes, like the “Warhammer 40,000” installment, effectively embrace a gritty, hyperrealistic style, the majority of “Secret Level” suffers from a visual sameness. “It’s sort of like watching a nonstop barrage of cutscenes at E3 and not being able to tell the games apart,” notes one critic. This lack of visual diversity becomes notably jarring when applied to games with inherently vibrant aesthetics, such as Pac-Man.
“I’m not kidding: the Pac-Man episode is probably the goriest in the entire series,turning a classic arcade game into a brutal survivor story with copious blood and death,” the critic continues. “the episode’s big twist is also the stupidest thing I’ve seen all year,and I sat through all of Megalopolis.”
Attempts to inject color and vibrancy into the series often result in awkward aesthetic clashes. The “Mega Man” episode, as a notable example, attempts to blend realism with anime, creating an “ugly mix of the two.”
beyond its visual shortcomings, “Secret Level” struggles to engage viewers narratively. Manny episodes feel like truncated beginnings, ending abruptly just as the story starts to gain momentum.”The majority of episodes feel like the opening scene of a much bigger story, ending right when things seem to be getting interesting,” the critic observes.
The series also suffers from a lack of originality, with recurring themes and concepts. “There are no less than three episodes — based on Spelunky, New World, and sifu — that all try to tell a metastory about the concept of dying in a video game,” the critic points out. Even when ”Secret Level” attempts to break free from formulaic storytelling, as in the case of the Pac-Man episode, it devolves into a predictable and uninspired display of violence.
Ultimately, “Secret Level” fails to capitalize on the rich potential of its source material. Its monotonous visuals, repetitive narratives, and lack of creative spark leave viewers wanting more.
sony’s foray into the world of live-action video game adaptations, “Secret level,” has landed with a thud, leaving viewers more confused than entertained. The anthology series, premiering on Prime Video December 10th, attempts to showcase the diverse worlds of PlayStation exclusives but ultimately falls short, failing to capture the essence of what makes these games so compelling.
two episodes, in particular, highlight the series’ shortcomings. One centers around “Concord,” the ill-fated multiplayer shooter that suffered the ignominy of being dubbed “the most disastrous launch in PlayStation history.” “Concord’s” failure led to the abrupt closure of both the game and its development studio, Firewalk Studios. The other episode focuses on “Exodus,” an upcoming role-playing game published by Wizards of the Coast, the company behind “Magic: The Gathering.”
“Secret Level” had the potential to offer a glimpse into the unique worlds of these games, sparking curiosity and excitement for future installments. Instead, both “Concord” and ”Exodus” are portrayed as generic science fiction narratives, lacking any distinctive elements that would set them apart.
“Really, Secret Level is best summed up by its final episode,” writes one critic. Titled “Playtime,” the episode follows a bike courier navigating a near-future world saturated with augmented reality. She quickly finds herself embroiled in a scenario that feels more like a PlayStation commercial than a cohesive narrative. The episode throws in cameos from iconic PlayStation characters like Kratos from “God of War” and Sackboy from “LittleBigPlanet,” but these appearances feel forced and lack any meaningful context.
“There’s no story. It’s a collection of Easter eggs tied to a brand, a chance to spot things you recognize from playing the games,” the critic continues. This sentiment encapsulates the overarching problem with “Secret Level”: it fails to offer anything new for seasoned gamers while together failing to entice newcomers to explore these worlds.
Across its 15 episodes, “Secret Level” struggles to articulate why these PlayStation universes are worth exploring.It occupies a frustrating middle ground,leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
## World Today News: Exclusive Interview with Daniel Alvarez, Gaming Journalist
**World Today News sits down with gaming journalist Daniel Alvarez to discuss Prime Video’s new anthology series, “Secret Level.”**
**World Today News:** Daniel, you’ve had a chance to dive into “Secret level.” What are your initial impressions?
**Daniel Alvarez:** The idea is enticing. An animated anthology series exploring various video game worlds sounds like a dream come true for gamers. Unluckily, the execution leaves much to be desired.
**WTN:** What specifically disappointed you about the series?
**DA:** Primarily, the lack of originality and narrative depth. While the variety of games featured is extraordinary, spanning from beloved classics like Pac-Man to global hits like “Honor of Kings,” the stories themselves feel generic and often end abruptly, leaving viewers unsatisfied.
**WTN:** You mentioned a lack of originality. Can you elaborate?
**DA:** Several episodes fall into predictable tropes.There’s an overreliance on the “dying in a video game” concept,with episodes based on “Spelunky,” “New World,” and “Sifu” all tackling it in similar ways. It lacks the creative spark and fresh perspectives that you would hope for in an anthology series.
**WTN:** The visuals of “Secret Level” have also been subject to criticism.
**DA:** That’s true. Despite the diverse range of games, the visual style across the episodes feels remarkably homogenous. There’s a lack of dynamism and a noticeable sameness, even when adapting games with vastly different aesthetics like “Pac-Man” and “Warhammer 40,000.”
**WTN:** Some reviewers have compared “Secret Level” unfavorably to “Love, Death & Robots.” What are your thoughts on that comparison?
**DA:** The comparison is apt.”Love, Death & Robots” excels in its stylistic diversity and willingness to experiment with different genres and storytelling approaches.”Secret Level” lacks that boldness, settling for a safe and generic visual language that becomes monotonous after a while.
**WTN:** who do you think “Secret Level” is targeted towards? Gamers who are familiar with these franchises or newcomers looking to explore new worlds?
**DA:** Unfortunately, the series doesn’t quite hit the mark for either audience. it lacks the depth and fresh outlook that seasoned gamers would crave,and its lack of narrative coherence and visual diversity may alienate those unfamiliar with the source material.
**WTN:** Would you recommend “Secret Level” to our readers?
**DA:** Honestly, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it. “Secret Level” has a engaging premise, but its execution falls short of its potential. Hopefully, future seasons will address these shortcomings and deliver a truly engaging experience for fans of video games and animation alike.
**WTN:** Thank you for your insights, Daniel.
**DA:** My pleasure.
