https://blacknerdproblems.com/secret-level-review/

We’re living in a golden age of true-to-source-material video game adaptations for film and TV. From The Last of Us redefining emotional storytelling to Arcane flexing its animation muscles and storytelling, we’ve come a long way from the days of Resident Evil movies that completely ignore almost all source material. How is it that Secret Level dropped on Amazon Prime, and the streets are this quiet about it? I have to search for it on my socials because it’s not coming up on my timelines, and ionlikedat.

Released on December 10th, this anthology series—created by Tim Miller (Deadpool, Love, Death & Robots)—is a love letter to the storytelling of video games. Each episode serves as a fitting homage to the games that shaped us, from beloved classics to forgotten gems, all brought to life with stunning visuals, sharp writing, and a voice cast that’s straight-up iconic. I’m talking Keanu Reeves bringing the intensity, Temuera Morrison delivering that boss energy, Kevin Hart adding his signature flair that we know him for, and Arnold Schwarzenegger reminding us why he’s still the king of action with a dash of comedic relief for good measure.

The animation? Fire. The voice acting? Pure gold. I was hooked from the jump and knew this anthology was going to be special. I need nominations for this show, STAT

Secret Level: Hooked From Episode 1

Episode 1, titled “The Queen’s Cradle,” transported me straight back to my D&D roots, like I was rolling a d20 for initiative all over again. This episode perfectly exemplified how organically your group in D&D forms—everyone falling into their roles, often stumbling into just the class or character you needed to make the party complete.

I loved the Dungeons & Dragons movie, but Secret Level felt like something entirely different. Where the movie leaned into comedy and blockbuster tropes (and did it well!), this felt like watching someone’s actual campaign unfold, more in the vein of The Legend of Vox Machina. It wasn’t trying to crack jokes every five minutes—it was about the adventure, the plot twists, and the unique chaos that only a D&D campaign can deliver. It gave us characters that we see in all of our own campaigns—like Tally, the gnome wizard, who was just so gnome-coded that it hurt but only in the best way. She embodied everything you’d expect from a gnome: clever, chaotic, and undeniably charming.

I’ve been hungry for more video game-related content to consume, and Secret Level came in clutch, like that one homie who mains the healer. Episode 2 takes us back with Sifu, delivering a poignant lesson about the cost of vengeance. Episode 3, meanwhile, is a hilarious meta dive into New World: Aeternum, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in a comedic, MMORPG-flavored fever dream with Groundhog Day-style storytelling. And don’t even get me started on Episode 8, where Keanu Reeves takes the cockpit in the Armored Core universe and annihilates—not just with his mech, but with his flawless voice acting. It’s gritty, brutal, and one of the standouts of the series and I’m so sad that it was such a short episode!

But one of my absolute favorites? “Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear”. Listen, this episode had me ready to hop on my PC and load up Space Marine 2. This episode follows Captain Demetrian Titus post-Space Marine 2, and when I tell you this episode is brutal, brilliant, and so quintessentially 40K/Space Marine, I mean it. By the end, I was yelling, “What’s in the box?!” like I was David Mills in Se7en, only to nod solemnly and say, “Yep, that tracks for 40K.”

This episode has made me even more hyped for Henry Cavill’s upcoming live-action Warhammer 40K series and movies, also coming to Amazon Prime. While I know the two projects are unrelated, the sheer quality of this episode sets a high bar. I can’t help but hope Amazon maintains this level of excellence when it’s time for Cavill’s series to roll out.

Pac-Man’s Dark Side and Easter Egg Mania

Episode 6, though? Oh, y’all ain’t ready for Episode 6. If you know me, you know I live for hyper fixating on video game lore, and Pac-Man is one of my favorite rabbit holes. This episode wasn’t just a trip—it was a journey. Taking cues from Bandai Namco’s extensive library, it blended elements from Xevious, United Galaxy Space Force, and the upcoming platformer, Shadow Labyrinth.

And let me tell you, this episode was DARK. Like, “Why am I whispering ‘What the fuck?’ at my screen?” dark. I spent hours afterward diving into Reddit threads for easter egg confirmations because the lore runs deep. If you’re into theory-crafting, this episode is for you.

Hidden Gems and Forgotten Classics

What makes Secret Level so special is its range. Alongside heavy hitters like Mega Man and Unreal Tournament, it shines a spotlight on lesser-known titles like Concord, a game that had its plug pulled a month after launch and now only lives on in this series. There’s even an episode featuring Spelunky, Honor of Kings, and Crossfire. 

And then there’s Exodus, based on an upcoming game from Archetype Entertainment set to release in late 2025. While the game hasn’t launched yet, its episode left me intrigued and eager to dive into it when it arrives.

Tim Miller didn’t just create an anthology—he built a shrine to gaming’s past, present, and future.

Why Aren’t Y’all Watching?

Even if you’re not a hardcore gamer, Secret Level is worth your time. The series doesn’t expect you to know every ounce of lore from these games, it gives you just enough to get invested while leaving room for curiosity. You might even find yourself wanting to pick up a controller or dive into PC gaming after watching.So, if you’ve got some time off this holiday season, do yourself a favor and check out Secret Level. All episodes for season one streaming now on Amazon Prime, and I promise, it’s the gift gamers didn’t know they needed.

Naliaah Castro is a NY-born blerd, gamer, and grad student juggling parenthood, work, and co-paneling on New Blerd Order. With a love for horror, RPGs, sci-fi, and fantasy, she’s probably either deep into a video game or rewatching Lord of the Rings for the hundredth time.

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The post Not Enough of Y’all Are Talking About Secret Level, and It Don’t Sit Right with My Spirit appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.