As a lifelong gamer and animation enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled by Blur Studio’s work for years, but Secret Level has taken my admiration to new heights! This anthology series is an exhilarating fusion of gaming and storytelling that breathes life into the universes we know and love.
For decades, Blur Studio has breathed life into video game landscapes through cutscenes and cinematics. They’ve even expanded into the realm of streaming entertainment with Love Death + Robots. In partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, they’ve crafted Secret Level, an anthology series that seamlessly combines these two domains. This unique collaboration enables Blur to weave tales within a myriad of gaming universes. The end product is a captivating collection of short stories, hinting at the potential longevity and success of this anthology for years to come.
Hello worlds
The charm of Secret Level lies more in deviating from the primary storyline of a given game. In truth, games can effectively convey those specific narratives on their own. However, what makes this series unique is its ability to weave side stories within the confines of a game’s distinct universe. Additionally, it occasionally delves into experimentation, which I’ll discuss shortly.
In a concise runtime of not over 20 minutes, Secret Level shorts efficiently build their storyline, introduce some characters, and wrap up neatly without becoming too lengthy. Due to its brief nature, these shorts often jump straight into the action with minimal downtime. However, since character development is limited in this format, it may not fully satisfy viewers who crave more insight into the characters, which can occasionally leave them wanting more as seen in series like Mega Man, Spelunky, and Armored Core. This could be due to the fact that these specific episodes were significantly shorter than others, leaving room for further exploration.
Fundamentally, the goal isn’t about shaping individuals through these experiences. Instead, it aims to captivate people with the environments, stories, and games, leaving them eager for more tales or inspired to develop their own using the source materials. Under this perspective, Secret Level can be considered a significant achievement, as it managed to pique my interest in a world like New World: Aeternum that I previously had no attachment to, simply through its short video. Similarly, Crossfire, by wrapping its objective-based multiplayer gameplay in a political action thriller narrative, also achieves the same effect.
Open to interpretation
One of my lasting impressions of Secret Level is that while there’s room to tell stories across hundreds of different game worlds, there’s also room to experiment with stories that people may already know. One of the most divisive episodes will likely be the one based on classic arcade staple Pac-Man. What does one think of upon hearing that name? They likely think of a yellow cartoon mascot eating dots, running across a maze, and chomping on ghosts. Secret Level does something wildly different. Let me emphasize this point: This is not the Pac-Man that anybody is expecting.
As a gamer diving into the reimagined world of Pac-Man, I found myself in a far cry from the vibrant, maze-filled arcade adventure I once knew. Instead, this new episode delved deep into the unsettling realms of psychological horror, transforming the innocent act of eating into a chilling tale of survival. On the surface, it seemed worlds apart from the original game, yet beneath the disturbing facade lay a clever dissection of Pac-Man’s fundamental concept.
Some viewers might dislike this approach, as they yearn for a vibrant, fanciful Blur Studio interpretation of their favorite character – in this case, Pac-Man. However, this episode dares to break new ground, refusing to stick to familiar paths. By doing so, it demonstrates the exciting possibilities that Secret Level offers – the ability to challenge conventions and present stories that viewers might not have realized they desired.
Well-kept ‘Secret’
The saying “There’s something for everybody” is a trite cliche, but it’s one that rings true for Secret Level. The first season features gripping tales of comradery and heroism (Dungeons & Dragons), high-octane action (Crossfire), and even comedy (New World: Aeternum, thanks largely to a very game Arnold Schwarzenegger). The expansive voice cast puts its all into this, especially Keanu Reeves in the Armored Core short, a performance that will have people wondering what a full-blown game with him in the lead role could look like. With that said, a few performances felt like they could have been better. Ariana Greenblatt, for example, bounces back nicely from a Borderlands outing she’d probably like to forget, but her performance as Ana from Spelunky felt like it was missing something.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can vouch for the unique visual storytelling style of Blur Studio that this series showcases. Although each episode may remind you of their past projects due to years of honed craftsmanship, they each possess a distinct spark that aligns perfectly with their specific themes. It’s like no other games out there, but once you see them, you just know they’re Blur productions – if you catch my drift.
Another point to consider about Secret Level is that Concord’s brief appearance showcases a spark of talent and room for improvement. The troubles that beset Concord’s episode, including poor choices and misguided leadership, serve as a reminder of what might have been if things had gone differently. Ultimately, it demonstrates that every game, even those that fail or are left unfinished, has a story worth sharing.
This critique is derived from the initial previews of ‘Secret Level’, which were supplied by Amazon. The first season of ‘Fallout’ premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday, 10th December.
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2024-12-05 18:27