Amazon’s Secret Level: Dull Video Game Anthology

Amazon’s Secret Level: A Disappointing Video Game Anthology

Andrew Webster’s review of Amazon’s Secret Level reveals a disappointing anthology series. This Prime Video offering, created by Love, Death & Robots creator Tim Miller, features animated shorts based on various video game properties, including Mega Man, Spelunky, and Honor of Kings.

A Homogenous and Uninspired Approach

While boasting a diverse range of games, the shorts suffer from a homogenous, gritty, hyperrealistic style, making them visually monotonous. The show fails to make source material compelling for newcomers or provide new insights for existing fans. Many episodes feel like unfinished openings, lacking depth and originality.

Missed Opportunities and Generic Storytelling

Episodes based on Concord (a disastrously launched game) and the upcoming Exodus fail to showcase the unique aspects of these worlds. Even the Pac-Man episode is criticized for its unnecessary violence and nonsensical plot twist.

The series’ final episode, Playtime, is described as a PlayStation commercial featuring cameos rather than a coherent narrative. Ultimately, Secret Level fails to justify exploring these worlds, offering neither compelling stories for new audiences nor fresh perspectives for existing fans.

Key Takeaways

• Visually uninspired, with a homogenous style.
• Stories lack depth and originality, often feeling unfinished.
• Fails to make source material appealing to both newcomers and fans.
• Missed opportunities to showcase unique game worlds.

Secret Level starts streaming on Prime Video on December 10th.