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Exploring the Mixed Reception of Secret Level on Prime Video

There has been considerable debate surrounding the new anthology series, Secret Level, which premiered on Prime Video. Created by Tim Miller, known for Love, Death & Robots, this series comprises animated shorts inspired by various video game franchises. Each episode seeks to explore different gaming narratives; for instance, one episode focuses on the origins of Mega Man, while another delves into a unique interpretation of a roguelike experience through Spelunky.

However, the series has been met with criticism for its execution. Many of the 15 shorts have been described as lacking engagement, failing to invigorate the source material or provide fresh insights for devoted fans. The underlying question many are left pondering is: who is the intended audience for this series?

A significant issue standing out in Secret Level is its uniformity. The show collaborates with various game publishers and presents a diverse array of titles, including the hugely popular Chinese game Honor of Kings and the South Korean title Crossfire. Despite this eclectic selection, the episodes largely feel homogeneous in style and tone. In stark contrast, Love, Death & Robots captivates audiences with varied artistic styles and themes across its episodes, such as the visually striking “The Very Pulse of the Machine.”

In Secret Level, the predominant gritty and hyperrealistic aesthetic leads to a visual monotony that renders the episodes indistinguishable. Viewers might feel overwhelmed as if they were stuck watching an extended sequence of video game trailers, unable to differentiate between the narratives.

This visual approach suits certain themes, such as the appropriately dark tone of the Warhammer 40,000 episode. However, the adaptation of Pac-Man into a hyperviolent narrative seems misplaced—a comically brutal reinterpretation that transforms the classic arcade game into a tale filled with extreme violence and gore. This episode, in particular, includes a plot twist that humorously defies plausibility. While some episodes attempt to inject color and diversity into their visuals, they often end up reminiscent of the artistic style of Arcane.

Beyond aesthetic concerns, Secret Level faces a substantial issue with its storytelling. Many segments feel incomplete, resembling mere introductions to larger sagas and cutting off right as the tension builds. The series tends to recycle concepts; notably, three episodes try to encapsulate the theme of dying in video games—from Spelunky, New World, and Sifu—resulting in a sense of redundancy that diminishes originality. When the show ventures into creative expression, such as with the aforementioned Pac-Man episode, it often declines into unremarkable portrayals of violence.

A particularly peculiar aspect of the anthology is two episodes concerning games that are currently unplayable. One episode is set in the now-notorious shooter Concord, which suffered one of the largest failures in gaming history, while another draws its narrative from the anticipated RPG Exodus, to be released by Wizards of the Coast. These episodes could have served as a chance to showcase the innovative elements of these futuristic worlds, yet they fail, instead presenting them as cliché examples of generic sci-fi storytelling.

The series can be epitomized by its concluding episode, titled “Playtime.” This segment features a bike courier navigating a dystopian landscape, encountering character glimpses reminiscent of popular PlayStation titles without any coherent narrative development. Instead, it serves as a parade of recognizable figures and references for those familiar with the games, lacking depth or context.

Throughout its 15 episodes, Secret Level falls short in conveying the appeal of any explored universes while offering little for existing fans. It occupies an ambiguous and unsatisfying space between nostalgia and innovation. After engaging with the entire series, many viewers are likely left with more questions than answers.

Secret Level begins streaming on Prime Video on December 10th.

Source
www.theverge.com