Created by the same studio behind Love, Death and Robots comes Secret Level; a new video game anthology series coming to Amazon Prime Video that aims to be a revolutionary set of video game adaptation vignettes. The series is set to feature 15 different games across the same number of episodes, including IPs like Armored Core, Dungeons and Dragons, and Warhammer 40,000.
Many of the anthology’s episodes are rather faithful to the franchise being featured, with the Spelunky episode turning its cave mechanics into a great story about perseverance and Sifu putting the entire title’s themes into one short episode that lays itself bare in a fantastic way. Warhammer 40k is no different, as it builds off the recently released Space Marine 2. Out of all the episodes, though, Warhammer 40k‘s is actually rather unique as it serves as a “sequel” of sorts to Space Marine 2 in the sense that it takes place after the main campaign, but remains watchable for regular Secret Level viewers by simoltaneously serving as a standalone adventure.
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Secret Level’s Warhammer 40k Episode Bridges a Gap Most Adaptations Fall Through
Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 Episode is a Continuation, But Keeps Things Simple
It was revealed leading up to the release of Secret Level that the W40K episode aims to use Warhammer 40,000K: Space Marine 2 as part of its story. Just as the game ends, the episode “And They Shall Know No Fear” picks up the story and sees Titus going on a special mission, with the small vignette following him and his other three comrades to the objective’s very end, with a few surprises included for Warhammer fans. If players go into Secret Level hoping that the Warhammer episode will focus solely on where Space Marine 2 left off, though, they may be disappointed since something else takes a far bigger focus.
The Secret Level episode dealing with the mission Titus was invited to at the end of the latest Warhammer game is as far as the continuation goes, but there’s plenty of action to excite viewers that rings true to the series’ usual style, and fans of Demetrian Titus will most certainly be happy that the sequel aspect of the episode takes a backseat to explore the famous Warhammer character’s origins.
An Audience Surrogate is Used to Not Only Bring in New Fans, But Excite Older Ones with Secret Level’s Warhammer Episode
One important aspect that’s shared in almost every Secret Level episode is the thesis statement that these stories have to stand on their own, both respectful of source material but not so reliant on it that newer viewers would feel alienated just by watching. Secret Level manages to get around this with Warhammer by introducing Bladeguard Sergeant Metarus, a new character played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje who has a longstanding connection with Titus – one that may fill in a few gaps in Warhammer lore some fans have been wanting to see addressed. Those unfamiliar with the series will get to see the story through Metarus’ eyes, but those who are familiar will have plenty of Easter eggs to celebrate and new information about Titus to digest by taking the time to watch the 15-minute episode.
Many video game adaptations typically fall into the traps of either making things confusing for a casual audience (such as Ratchet and Clank) or making things too general to keep those who adore the source material entertained (a common complaint about Uncharted), so the fact that Secret Level managed to find its own niche and pull off a sequel and standalone hybrid is worthy of praise. While it remains to be seen just how Warhammer 40k‘s presence in Secret Level‘s all-star line-up will resonate with die-hard fans, it’ll surely stick the landing with at least some viewers and could possibly inspire new players all on its own.
Secret Level premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10.
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