Back in 2024, Prime released Secret Level, an anthology series based on several popular video games, but despite winning awards, the show remains fairly hidden.
The show ran for 15 episodes, which varied in length from eight minutes to 20 minutes, adapting several video games with unique animation styles. Among the franchises featured in the show are PAC-MAN, Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
With each episode being its own self-contained story, the show attracted plenty of star talent, including some of Hollywood’s biggest icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves and Kevin Hart.
A synopsis of the series reads: “Secret Level is an adult animated series exploring original short stories set within the worlds of popular video games. Each episode introduces new adventures, delving into iconic gaming classics and forthcoming titles to unlock captivating narratives and immersive experiences.”
Secret Level managed to win at the Golden Reel Awards, winning Best Sound, and it received further nominations at the Annie Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Visual Effects Society Awards.
Despite this, the show, which has a second season in the works, remains one of Prime’s lesser-known hits, not breaking into streaming charts or the mainstream public. However, viewers have routinely praised its animation style, with different studios heading up different episodes, as well as the way that it adapts its source material.
Reception
Screen Rant’s Tom Russell noted: “The final product was not flawless, but it was undeniably striking,” while praising how “each episode aimed to expand the worlds fans already loved, offering cinematic narratives that felt both faithful and refreshingly bold.”
He added: “Iconic character designs, weapons, and worlds from the games were recreated with precision, while still being adapted to suit each studio’s strengths. That balance between authenticity and artistic reinvention is what made Secret Level such a compelling visual experiment.”
Fans also enjoyed Secret Level, with one enthusing: “This was fantastic, if you can’t use your imagination on some of the episodes then you should not watch for example Pac-Man episode, the best episode for me was the Warhammer they nailed it wonderfully done.”
A second added: “I was really disappointed when I saw critics say this show was just mid. I’ve watched it and all I can say is most of the critics are wrong. I really enjoyed this show! The episodes could have been longer, that’s my only gripe honestly,” while a third quipped: “Great introduction into some famous gaming universes. You will get entertained here. Some episodes are good, some are great, some are just incredible.”
© Courtesy of PrimeHowever, one unimpressed viewer penned: “I don’t know how they managed to separate the first season into two 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.
Who stars in Secret Level?
Each of the 15 episodes contains a different cast, but over the course of the series, several A-list stars appeared. Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger and Star Wars actor Gabriel Luna star in the third episode, which was based on New World.
© Courtesy of PrimeMeanwhile, The Mandalorian’s Emily Swallow stars in the sixth episode, which is based on PAC-MAN, while John Wick’s Keanu Reeves and The White Lotus actor Patrick Schwarzenegger both feature in the eighth episode.
The final episode starred Kevin Hart, known for his roles in The Secret Life of Pets, Jumanji and Real Husbands of Hollywood.
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