Prime Video is making waves in the realm of video game adaptations with its latest animated series, Secret Level. Crafted by Blur Studio—a renowned production company known for its stunning video game cinematics and projects like Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots—this CGI anthology show offers viewers a unique glimpse into various game universes through 15 standalone episodes.
Each episode transports audiences to treasured gaming realms, including Unreal Tournament, Pac-Man, and Dungeons & Dragons. While viewers can enjoy the stories without prior gaming knowledge, familiarity with the games can enhance the experience. The show invites fans to delve deeper into the lore, prompting questions that the accompanying explainer guide addresses, such as the identities of key characters and the significance of various factions.
The first episode, “Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen’s Cradle,” depicts a heroic quest featuring a diverse party striving to rescue a young man from the nefarious Cult of the Dragon, who intend to sacrifice him to the evil dragon Tiamat.
The second episode, “Sifu: It Takes a Life,” embraces the vengeance-driven narrative of the game Sifu, illustrating how the protagonist’s ability to respawn reflects the challenges and hardships of seeking revenge, at the cost of aging.
In “New World: The Once and Future King,” viewers learn about Aelstrom, an NPC from the MMORPG New World, and how he repeatedly tries to seize control of a mysterious island, hinting at his future role.
The fourth episode, “Unreal Tournament: Xan,” serves as an origin story for the character Xan Kriegor, showcasing how he led a robotic uprising against humanity—a narrative that intertwines with the creation of the historic Unreal Tournament.
The show continues to explore themes of resurrection and rebirth, with “Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear” depicting elite Space Marines on a mission combatting the forces of Chaos.
Among the wild reimaginings, “Pac-Man: Circle,” offers an abstract take on the Pac-Man universe, emphasizing the cyclical nature of gameplay.
With only eight episodes so far, Secret Level is hitting its stride, with the remaining seven episodes set to debut on December 17, promising to maintain the excitement and creative storytelling viewers have come to expect.
In a world increasingly captivated by video game adaptations, Secret Level presents a hopeful and engaging portrayal of beloved game narratives, bringing them to life in an innovative format that pays homage to their origins. Fans eagerly await the continuation of this vibrant series, marking a significant evolution in the domain of animated storytelling and gaming.