Fans and gamers have been granted new footage of Prime Video’s anthology series,Secret Level, which includes a closer look at the immensely popular games (plusConcord) involved.Secret Levelcame as a welcome shock to audiences when it was announced by the streamer. FromLove, Death & Robotsshowrunner, Tim Miller, and director Dave Wilson,the new anthology tells “What if?” stories centering around some of the most beloved classic and modernvideo gametitles.
Prime Video shared the latest trailer online and through social media, and, for a series that features some high-octane games, it’s surprisingly emotional. Fans are treated to better looks at theWarhammer 40k,Sifu,Dungeons & Dragons,Mega Man,Armored Core, andConcordepisodes, all of which were only teased in the debut trailer. Set to the always emotional “OUTRO” by M83, the trailer highlights the breathtaking animation and phenomenal voice cast for the series. Thestar-studded ensemble includes Keanu Reeves,Kevin Hart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Luna, Temuera Morrison, Ricky Whittle, Claudia Doumit, and Laura Bailey.
Some episodes, likeArmored Core,Sifu, and the drastically reinventedPac-Manget ample screen time and dialogue in the trailer. Meanwhile, games likeWarhammer 40kandCrossfireshow off more of their stunning action. Unfortunately, not every game made the cut in the new trailer.Secret Levelwill also featureGod of WarandGhost of Tsushima. However, both franchises appear to be absent from the latest tease. However, that’s not to say they’ve been cut from the show.Check out the full list of games inSecret Levelbelow:
‘Secret Level’ Continues The Trend of Intriguing Video Game Adaptations
The last five years have seen video game adaptations become increasingly competent and, at times, phenomenally entertaining. For decades, Hollywood struggled to adapt video games to the big and small screens. But studios have finally begun figuring it out. Shows likeThe Last of Us,Castlevania,Fallout, andArcanehave proven that television might be the best format for video game adaptations, especially considering the increasingly lengthy play times of most modern games.
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The reality is it just wasn’t a good movie.
Secret Levelis taking that idea and pushing the boundaries a step further. One of the big fears among fans is that if a video game adaptation is bad, studios may never try again with that IP. An episodic anthology gives studios and filmmakers a wider safety net to take risks; be it making changes to a story or adapting aniche or failed video game.After all, if one episode ofSecret Levelis bad, there are still fourteen others. Given the success ofLove, Death & Robots, which has proven audiences have an interest in animated episodic anthologies,Secret Level’ssuccess could open the door for far more video game anthology shows in the future — or, at the very least, more seasons.
