As a fan of anthology series and gaming, I was thrilled when I first heard about Secret Level, Amazon Prime’s new animated series. The show, much like Tim Miller’s previous project, Love, Death & Robots, offers a collection of standalone episodes, each with its own story, style, and tone. This time, however, the focus is on beloved video game franchises—an irresistible concept for someone like me who enjoys both mediums. Over the course of its first season, Secret Level delivered moments of brilliance, mixed with a few stumbles, but overall, it left me eager for more.
The structure of Secret Level is perfect for binge-watching, with episodes ranging from 7 to 18 minutes. This compact format means you can jump into entirely different worlds in under 20 minutes, which is both a blessing and a curse. When it works, the brevity feels like an appetizer that leaves you craving a full meal. When it doesn’t, it can feel like the story never got off the ground.
Not all episodes in Secret Level are created equal, and that’s par for the course with anthology series. The shorter episodes tended to be the weaker ones for me, as they often lacked the time to establish meaningful characters or compelling stakes. On the other hand, the longer episodes—such as those based on Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons—used their extended runtime to great effect, crafting immersive experiences with solid worldbuilding, engaging narratives, and fantastic visuals.
Speaking of visuals, the production value of Secret Level is genuinely impressive. From its richly textured environments to its intricate character designs, the series showcases the kind of animation fidelity you’d expect from a AAA game cinematic. Each episode takes a unique approach to its art direction, with most leaning into a photorealistic style. This artistic direction works surprisingly well for franchises like Mega Man and PAC-Man, offering a fresh perspective on worlds we’ve traditionally seen in more cartoonish forms.
That said, not all the character designs hit the mark. In particular, the episodes based on Mega Man and Outer Worlds flirt a little too closely with the uncanny valley, with some characters looking just lifelike enough to feel unsettling. These moments are rare, but they do take you out of the experience when they happen.
On the flip side, some episodes achieve a perfect harmony between their source material and animation style. The Sifu episode, for example, stands out as a shorter entry that still manages to be fantastic. It stays true to the game’s aesthetic, tone, and action-packed setting while giving viewers a clear understanding of the game’s premise. Despite its limited runtime, it felt complete and satisfying, which isn’t something all the shorter episodes could pull off.
For me, the Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons episodes were the clear standouts. These entries didn’t just adapt their source material—they brought it to life in a way that felt both faithful and expansive. The Warhammer episode, in particular, blew me away with its sweeping scale and attention to detail. From the imposing architecture to the grim, war-torn landscapes, it perfectly captured the essence of the Warhammer universe. I found myself wishing for a full-length series set in this world, and I’m sure other fans of the franchise will feel the same.
The Dungeons & Dragons episode was another triumph, weaving a tale of adventure and camaraderie that felt like it had been pulled straight from an epic tabletop campaign. It’s incredible how much story and worldbuilding they managed to pack into just 18 minutes. Like Warhammer, this episode left me wanting more—a testament to how well it was executed.
Another standout for me was the episode based on Sifu. This one excelled not only in its animation but also in its ability to distill the essence of the franchise into a compact narrative. The high-stakes action fights were thrilling, and the attention to detail in the designs made it a visual treat.
One of the things I appreciated most about Secret Level was its willingness to experiment with art direction. While many episodes leaned into photorealism, others took a different approach. The diversity in animation styles kept the series feeling fresh and dynamic, with each episode bringing something unique to the table.
Even episodes that weren’t personal favorites, such as the PAC-Man entry, deserve credit for their creative reinterpretations of familiar franchises. Seeing PAC-Man in a gritty, more-realistic setting was a novel experience, even if the episode itself didn’t fully land for me.
While Secret Level has many strengths, it’s not without its flaws. The biggest issue is inconsistency. Some episodes are phenomenal, while others feel rushed or underdeveloped. This uneven quality drags down the overall experience, though it’s an issue that’s hardly unique to this series.
Another area where Secret Level could improve is in its pacing. Some episodes, particularly the shorter ones, feel like they’re over before they’ve had a chance to truly begin. Perhaps future seasons could consider standardizing runtimes or offering a bit more room for even the shorter stories to breathe.
But even though not every episode hits the mark, Secret Level does a good job at exposing you to the worlds and tone of these franchises and doesn’t just feel like an affiliated advertisement.
Final Thoughts
Secret Level is a solid first season that showcases the potential of its concept. The best episodes—such as those based on Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, and Sifu—are shining examples of what this series can achieve. They’re immersive, visually stunning, and packed with enough depth to leave you wanting more.
At the same time, the weaker episodes serve as a reminder of the challenges inherent in anthology storytelling. The uneven quality is a hurdle, but it’s one that could be addressed with more consistent writing and pacing in future seasons.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Secret Level, and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here. With some refinement, it has the potential to become a standout anthology series for both gamers and animation fans alike. If you’re a fan of video games or shows like Love, Death & Robots, I’d definitely recommend giving it a watch. You might not love every episode, but the ones that hit the mark are well worth the journey.
Screeners for the full season of Secret Level were provided for the purpose of this review
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8
- + Some really amazing stories and worldbuilding in some episodes
- + High fidelity animation
- + Stories that cover a wide array of themes and tones
- + Highlights many gaming franchises without them feeling like ads
- - Inconsistent story quality
- - Pacing issues, highlighted by inconsistent episode length
