Secret Level is an Amazon backed anthology series of videogame world inspired short stories that mixes cutting-edge animation styles with quick fire storylines. Each episode is stand-alone and is set within a different game universe and so, like all anthology shows, some will chime with you more than others depending upon your investment in the series or taste in genre and animation style. I was intrigued by the concept of this series as I am a gamer and have been for a long time so aa animated series, similar in scope to Love, Death and Robots, which gives creatives a chance to use known worlds to create a short narrative experience, intrigued me. The fact that Tim Miller, who executive produced LDR, was leading this had me hopeful. However, I was very aware that while the first LDR series looked phenomenal, pretty much half of the episodes were poor Alien derivatives and I was worried that this would be the fate of Secret Level. Well, I’m sad to say that after watching the series it does suffer the same fate as more than half the episodes are focused on one theme - gritty sci-fi shorts with a focus on gun porn, resurrection and the repetitive lifecycle of the protagonists. What are the episodes like individually though?
Well, uniformly the series is beautifully animated with the color and kinetic energy effectively translating the familiar aesthetics of each game world into the dynamic animated format. With the animation being handed to Blur though, there is a house style that only occasionally is given a chance to branch out. This is a visual feast though, make no mistake, and it is further amplified by the inclusion of celebrity voice talent, adding a layer of star power that, while not always consistently impactful, provides an interesting draw. The standout vocal performance is of a smug character portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in episode 3, a real highlight. The episodes are interesting when looked at individually:
Dungeons and Dragons: The Queen's Cradle
When a party of four meets a cursed man, they take him with them to the dragon Oriel's lair to be cured. However, things do not go according to plan as they are attacked by the Cult of the Dragon.
This is a great episode to kick things off as the animation is spectacular and the story, whilst straightforward, is effective and leaves you wanting more.
Sifu: It Takes a Life
When a young man seeks revenge for the death of his father, he will lose many lives before getting to his goal.
The animation in this episode is brilliantly fluid, bringing the bustling rainy Hong Kong side streets to life in a painterly style. The fight scenes in this are spectacular; a cross between that visceral corridor fight scene in Oldboy and the more recent balletic fluidity of the John Wick series.
New World: The Once and Future King
An arrogant king arrives with a huge naval fleet to conquer another kingdom but, after a storm, washes up ashore all alone except for a single loyal servant. He still tries to take on the King of the land but is constantly defeated and realises that no-one ever dies in this land. Can he take over? Does it even matter
This is a really funny episode and I think this is because Arnold Schwarzenegger nails the character. He adds a lot of swagger and self-confidence to the king who is used to always winning, not because he is any good but because his subjects enabled him for fear of reprisals. The ending is quite beautiful though as it shows the opportunity time provides for self-reflection and growth.
Unreal Tournament: Xan
A group of mining robots turn against their corporate overlords and are punished to face off in an arena. What happens next is mayhem and chaos as everyone struggles to survive.
This episode is brilliant as it captures the vibe and kinetic energy of Unreal. The story is simple but the frantic shootouts are well choregraphed and so, they draw you in.
Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear
Set in the dark and nihilistic future, a squad of 5 marines look for their target on a hostile planet and proceed to hunt him down, bringing the pain on anyone who stands in their way.
I know of Warhammer but I have never played the board or videogames. However, I feel that this episode was a great primer as it's not heavy on lore but is just full of cool fights and set-pieces. I love the nod to Django with the squad dragging a coffin-like object behind them on a chain.
PACMAN: Circle
When an alien wakes up he has amnesia but a flying golden ball named Puck tells him he has to 'Eat or be eaten'. And so our protagonist goes on a journey to feed himself.
This is a weird take on the old Pacman game. The story is accurate to 'lore' but did it really have to be so grim dark? It seems so strange a direction to have gone down but different strokes, eh?
Crossfire: Good Conflict
As a storm hits the coast of America, two mercenary teams fight it out to retrieve a package. Who will win and who are the good guys?
This is an okay short film about the geopolitics of war; no-one thinks they're the bad guys but surely there is one side that is more responsible than the other. Right? I think it's supposed to show that people are just following orders but, irrespective of command, just following orders does not cut it- not when we are seeing real heinous acts happening in the real world. There must be a reckoning for decisions made and followed.
Armored Core: Asset Management
When a mech pilot is given an assignment he is wary as it is an unknown target. When the voice in his head, calling herself a result of obsolete augmentation surgery, warns him that he is pushing himself too far he disagrees and pushes himself to the limit.
Keanu Reeves leads this film and does a great job as a maverick pilot who is addicted to the highs of piloting. It's a quick action filled episode and the world created suitably grimy yet with awe inspiring vistas.
The Outer Worlds: The Company We Keep
When Amos, an orphan on garbage duty, sees a poster for a job he works hard to earn his right to go there and work for the company off-world where his old friend (and crush) left to work for. With his upbeat personality and honest character Amos succeeds and finds her, only to discover she is a chief scientist with designs on being the head of the company, even if it hurts people in its testing process.
I really loved this episode as it had a lot of levity amongst the darker episodes in this series. The message of unwavering brand loyalty in the face of incredible corporate malfeasance is very much front and centre but is done in a humorous and thought-provoking way.
Mega Man: Start
When their base is attacked by Dr Wiley's minions, Dr. Light and Rock discover their true strength and fight back.
This is a very short but cool origin story for Megaman, down to the cool pose with billowing hair on top of a building.
Exodus: Odyssey
When an engineer pursues his runaway daughter he goes through hell and high water to get her back, fighting an alien force and overwhelming odds. However, with time dilation he ages slower than his daughter - can he get her back before she ages too much?
This is quite a powerful episode on how far a parent is willing to go to rescue their flesh and blood. It ends on a note of hope and optimism and by gosh could we use some of that sweet, sweet optimism right now.
Spelunky: Tally
When two explorers keep dying as they try to escape from their subterranean world, they discuss the human cost to their rogue-like powers. Even if you always come back, are you the same person?
This is a good short piece about the meaning of life and why each turn is special, but this subject t has been covered before in New World and Sifu so seems repetitive. The art is stylised in a painterly, blockyish way and I quite liked it.
Concord: Tale of the Implacable
When a free gunner (I'm guessing this is a space swashbuckling type of job) captain is caught, her crew attempt to get her out. It goes South quick and they have to make contingencies on the fly.
This is quite a cool, lighthearted episode with a less accomplished Cowboy Bebop/ Firefly vibe. Watching this episode is a little bittersweet as the game was pulled within several days of release, potentially being the most expensive media flop of all time at a cost of $1/2 billion. Wowzers! The story had potential but, in a crowded market where people are time poor, it didn't stand out enough to build a fanbase.
Honour of Kings: The Way of All Things
When an AI controlled city goes power crazy, a young orphan teen challenges it to a game of Weiqi- a battle with winner takes all. He chooses Go and so, a duel for the soul of city is contested.
This is a gorgeous looking episode that looks at freewill, determinism and self-discovery. I quite liked it but it was not a standout.
Playtime: Fulfillment
A bored courier is sent to deliver a special package and her life is turned upside down by others who want it. The package allows her to manipulate the world around her but a military organisation want it for their own nefarious means.
This is a weird episode with a Colossi, Dad Kratos, Sackboy, Journey dude and others from the PlayStation stable out in force. It's a nice Leo Pointing Meme moment but as an episode, pretty inconsequential fanservice.
Overall, Secret Level is a solid anthology series and this season shows that the format in this style does have some legs. I look forward to seeing the maturity and flowering of ideas as creatives get more confident with the format. Love, Death and Robots honed its craft over a few seasons and I'm sure, given the chance, Secret Level will too. The standout episodes for me were the ones based on New World, The Outer Worlds and Sifu but there will be something here for everyone to enjoy. Roll on season 2!