Secret Level

I don't know how they managed to separate the first season into 2 complete separate quality parts. First was pretty good, I would rate it a solid 8, especially the Warhammer 40k episode, that was a 10.

And now we get to the second part, every episode was bad and mediocre. I had to skip the Concorde one, irritating, the last was so cringe that had to skip again. The only watchable episode was the Exodus one. Meh, what a letdown. Finish a season on the lowest quality episode.

I had to change my initial 8 score to 6, and that is even gracious. Do better for season 2!

I had to change my initial 8 score to 6, and that is even gracious. Do better for season 2!

A couple of cool episodes aside, Secret Level feels like a monument to mediocrity. The writing is painfully mid, dragging the whole show down despite the undeniably impressive visuals-though even those feel like reheated leftovers from a decade of superior video game cinematics. Honestly, what is this show trying to do or say that hasn't been done (and done better) by video game marketing in the past 10+ years?

The lineup of titles is baffling. Where are the big names? The absence of heavy hitters screams one thing: developers wanted no part of this trainwreck or were waiting to see if Season 1 could stick the landing. Spoiler alert-it didn't.

Short-form storytelling seems to completely elude the creators. What should have been tight, impactful, and memorable comes across as disjointed and uninspired. Variety called it an "uninspired snooze," and for once, Variety wasn't being harsh enough.

Secret Level is proof that flashy visuals can't hide a lack of vision, heart, or originality!

The animation is beautiful, that is undeniable. I struggle to get excited about such short episodes though. They seem like apprentice attempts. Can't get fully enthralled as you know it's over before you can even get any sort of connection with the characters. Was nice to see some celebrity involvement. Reeves and Arnie both play enjoyable parts. It's just all a little too experimental and depthless for me. Additionally If I was given the chance to choose the source material. I reckon I would have chosen a completely different set of games to revere. The Pacman episode was o.k. But was a demonstration of taking artistic licence to its absolute limit. It made me laugh at least. Overall I found the whole series to be a little underwhelming. 6 for the visuals.

All the episodes except few felt like game trailers, like what's the point of even making them if it's over before the conclusion. They have no plot elements or any kind of character developments. Few had very well laid out foundations and its execution was also well done. Ex: I was looking something in mega man episode. Maybe the next season they try a different approach.

So far the best ones are Warhammer, Unreal tournament and Armoured Core. These episodes have the best overall narrative which can be enjoyed as a story. Others were not bad but they felt like an afterthought or like a game trailer.

I've always had mixed feelings about anthology series. There's something frustrating about getting invested in an episode only to realize that's all there is to it. You might think the upside is that an anthology won't drag on endlessly, and, well, you'd be right! But still, I find myself craving that deeper connection that longer series offer.

When I heard that "Secret Level" was an anthology based on existing video game IPs, I thought it might be a decent change of pace. I'm a gamer, after all, so I figured I'd feel at home in these familiar universes. And for the most part, I was right - Season 1 of "Secret Level" does a commendable job with its stories, and I found quite a few episodes that really stood out.

The first episode that grabbed my attention featured none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, who finds himself trapped on an island called Eternia, reliving his demise over and over again. It's a playful twist on the classic "Groundhog Day" concept and has more than a nod to 1950s cinema like "Jason and the Argonauts." I didn't realize which game IP it was based on, but honestly, I didn't even care. Arnold's humor shone through, and the 15-20 minute runtime felt just right. The animation was fantastic too- I could have mistaken it for a high-quality CGI feature.

Another standout was the episode tied to the upcoming game "Exodus." Picture "Interstellar" mixed with rebels in space, and you'll get the idea. The emotional core of this one revolves around a father searching for his daughter over many years, and it left a lasting impact on me. I genuinely can't wait for the game to drop! The voice acting, especially Michael Beach as the father, elevated this episode and added depth to the storyline.

Then there was the segment based on "Armored Core." I've never played it, but wow, I was impressed! It had the makings of a captivating series or movie. Keanu Reeves, typically more stoic, brought out genuine emotion in this role. I couldn't help but feel a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of Renny Harlin or Shane Black films, even if those directors are tangentially related to mechs. The atmosphere was gritty and snowy, adding to the experience.

While a few episodes didn't quite hit the mark for me-like those based on "Sifu" and "Mega Man"-they weren't terrible. They just felt too rushed, particularly "Mega Man." At around five minutes, I expected a punchy story, but it ended feeling more like a tease rather than a satisfying sip of water after a long run.

The finale felt a bit strange, as it seemed to showcase a mix of Sony's IPs, but it also exuded a vibe of uncertainty on how to wrap things up. It was enjoyable, just lacking a smooth conclusion.

Overall, I found "Secret Level" to be a delightful watch. It's the kind of show you can enjoy without needing to dedicate all your attention to it since each episode is a self-contained story. Plus, none of them were outright boring. I give it a solid 8/10 - a fun ride for gamers and casual viewers alike!