Playtime: Fulfillment

It seems like all the low score reviewers missed, what was right on front of them. All the short cameos, the ending, the reminiscing, it's a criticism towards the grindfest that gaming has been lately, all to unlock a different skin or DLC. The main character encounters all the different IPs, to be reminded of the era, her younger days, when gaming was just about having fun, not grinding for menial tasks (rushing recklessly to deliver paperclips), just so you get the burnt orange paint job.

There was a time when gaming was about getting together, having a blast with friends next to each other, getting immersed in a story and wondrous worlds. Not about flexing virtual goodies to strangers online.

I'm sorry some of you missed that era, and by extension, the happiness and memories all the episodes of the series brought back. I might not have seen (or spotted) even a cameo from my favorite games (let alone a whole episode, outside of the d&d one), but even so, the whole series was heartwarming.

Maybe in time you might appreciate it more.

So, you are a bike courier in a classic "ten hours in the future" scenario. She has augmented reality glasses and one of those spheroid floating robots with funny faces. One day she receives a package to deliver from a stranger. Of course there are FOURTEEN MILLION reasons why couriers just don't just deliver unchecked packages from stragers. Also, the Helldivers show up asking for it, and, while looking a bit Nazi, they must have their reasons. If armed people ask for you to do something that is already the thing to do in the first place, you...

...Jump on your bike, unarmed and unarmored, and try to run away from ARMED FUTURE WARRIORS. Plus Kratos.

Not to worry, because this girl can storm around on motorcycles that put Tron's lightcycles to shame and super jet flyers that would intimidate a F-22 pilot. Because she just can (and does) to DELIVER AN UNCHECKED PACKAGE SHE GOT FROM A STRANGER. All while surrounded by a surpassing aura of superiority. Yup, even to trained F-22 pilots.

I was rooting for the package to be a bomb, but, no. Actually, I don't know what it was. True, we see the contents and what they can do. I still have no idea.

There is nothing wrong for an episode to be a skit that parades games...

...OK, games by Sony...

...In a funny way. To do so, you need a funny character. Here, I was rooting for her to splat against a skyscraper (or to splat into the ground when they re-enact Fortnite). But, no.

The only good thing I can say about the plot of this episode is that the ending is even more stupid. Or maybe not, because I didn't understand it either. Next time, just splat.

With how much screen time they got in this episode. It would have made much more sense to do a full 20 minute episode on the Helldivers. Being the perfect way to show off the Illuminate's return to the game.

Also this glorified ad only showed off 4 different games. 1 of which (LittleBigPlanet) had been completely delisted from the PlayStation Stores. It's a massive slap in the face to the people who loved that franchise.

Honestly this whole second set of episodes is just a bag of poor writing mixed with misdirected content (Megaman gets an 8 minute episode but Concord and Honor of kings, btw is a mobile MOBA, each get 20 minute episodes??)

What was that?

Honestly this was the lamest use of Sony's characters and IP that they could have done. It felt so generic and uninspired. Even the animation looked clunky at times and the visuals were nothing special either. Maybe the story/message could have saved it at least, but no luck there. And to make it all even worse the trailers for this episode were a straight up lie, with a complete absence of Ghost of Tsushima. I'm guessing they changed their minds for what the episode was supposed to be and in the end rushed this out.

Overall this truly felt like a really bad tv commercial that doesn't get gamers at all.

Beautifully executed episode with flawless animation and outstanding voice acting-there's truly nothing to criticize in those areas. The visuals are breathtaking, showcasing an incredible amount of detail and artistry, while the performances bring genuine depth and emotion to the characters. It's a masterpiece in terms of production quality. Unfortunately, the story falls flat, feeling more like a PlayStation ad than a meaningful narrative. It's disappointing to see such effort overshadowed by product placement. Hopefully, future episodes focus on storytelling instead, as the concept of Secret Level is amazing and has immense potential.