[rewrite this title] Secret Level Fails to Stand Alone or Sell Its Games—What’s Its Purpose?

Let’s dive into the question behind this article’s title. Simply put, Secret Level exists primarily to expand intellectual property and make money. That’s the reality of it, as executives nowadays are laser-focused on IP. Just look at Disney doubling down on sequels or Hollywood eyeing every game for adaptation, no matter how questionable the fit. But honestly, I’m not clear on how Secret Level achieves these goals.

This week, the first batch of episodes debuted, and I have to say, I found them quite disappointing. The kindest thing I can mention is that the Pac-Man episode was daring—though even calling it that feels generous. At their worst, the episodes seem like fancy commercials for their respective brands. But if viewed as marketing tools, they don’t succeed there either.

Let’s start with the Dungeons & Dragons episode. Known for its blend of serious moments and outrageous role-playing escapades with friends, this iconic tabletop game was reduced to what was supposed to be an epic battle sequence. Unfortunately, it fell flat because I didn’t have any connection to the characters. Isn’t character development part of the allure in such expansive worlds? It certainly didn’t inspire me to gather my friends for a session.

The other episodes didn’t fare much better in enticing me to delve into their universes. Individually, how do they hold up? Not very well, I’m afraid. The Sifu episode was visually appealing but was nothing more than an extended fight scene. Crossfire was so unengaging I found myself scrolling through my phone. New World attempted humor, but it missed its mark. Even Keanu Reeves couldn’t salvage the Armored Core episode, which ended up as just a series of mech battles—a genre I usually love.

I don’t want to sound like a clueless parent from the ’90s worrying about video game violence, but every episode featured an overabundance of violence. Ironically, it seemed to epitomize the outdated stereotype that video games boil down to mindless aggression, completely detached from the richness they can offer.

Yes, video games often contain violence, but the short runtime of these episodes leaves out the context that sometimes justifies it. I might have appreciated the Warhammer 40K episode, with its mysterious and tense vibe, but when every show is drenched in violence, nothing feels distinct. And by every episode, I mean all of them—even Pac-Man’s.

The Pac-Man episode may be the gorriest, right up there with Warhammer. Who would’ve thought? Our iconic, round, yellow hero is reimagined as a gray alien-like character, tearing apart beasts for a bloody snack. How’s that for a twist! There are nods to the original game, like a brief cherry-eating scene. But the whole endeavor feels more like a fan film—sometimes indulgent and yes, pointlessly violent in exploring an edgy reimagining of Pac-Man. “How revolutionary!” one might say, dripping with sarcasm.

While more episodes are on the horizon, I’m struggling to see Secret Level’s purpose as a series. Despite its recent debut, it feels outdated, like a relic from an era that might not have existed. At the very least, we’ll perhaps discern what Concord was intended to be, for whatever that’s worth.