Prime Video’s 15-Part Sci-Fi Series Is One Of Its Best

Among the standout original sci-fi shows on Amazon Prime Video, Secret Level is particularly unique. This 15-episode animated anthology, created by Tim Miller, has been available on the platform since 2024, offering viewers a visually striking and surprisingly strange experience that sets it apart from typical sci-fi series.

I’m really into this show, Secret Level, because every episode takes a different video game – sometimes really famous ones, and sometimes games you’ve probably never heard of – and turns it into its own unique story. But honestly, it’s not just about recognizing the games. What really grabs me is how beautifully animated it is and how much it plays around with different moods, how the stories are told, and even what kind of genre it fits into. It just proves how flexible science fiction storytelling can be – it’s amazing!

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Secret Level – and I don’t even play video games! You absolutely don’t need any prior knowledge of the games it’s based on to get sucked into the story. It’s got these really well-developed worlds and compelling stories that stand on their own. If you’re a sci-fi fan looking for something new on Prime, I honestly think Secret Level should be next on your list.

Secret Level Could Only Exist As An Animated Show

Animation Is The Secret Ingredient That Makes The Anthology Possible

Secret Level is a show that constantly changes its feel, moving from serious military science fiction to unsettling cosmic horror within just a few episodes. This dramatic shift in tone works so well because the series is animated, giving it complete creative control. Animation allows each story to develop its own unique look and feel without the restrictions of real-world filming, like needing specific sets, makeup, or locations.

Each installment of the show can have a completely different visual style – one might look incredibly realistic, while the next embraces a more artistic and abstract approach. This variety is a key strength of the series, and the animation in Secret Level really highlights it. The show can create elaborate alien worlds, impossible buildings, and action scenes that break the laws of physics, all without needing to cut corners. Achieving this level of detail would be much harder, and likely more expensive, with live-action filming.

Another challenge is staying true to the original games. Many of the games featured in Secret Level have a very specific look and feel. Animation lets the show capture that style while also putting a new spin on it. Trying to recreate those visuals with live actors could end up losing what made them special.

Besides looking great, animation allows Secret Level to easily change its mood and style. The story can go from dark and intense to lighthearted or thoughtful without feeling abrupt. Unlike live-action anthologies, which sometimes feel disjointed when they switch styles, animation handles these shifts seamlessly.

Secret Level feels like a promising demonstration of what’s possible with top-quality animated science fiction. Its grand scope, bold ideas, and ability to blend genres truly shine because it isn’t held back by the usual limitations of live-action filmmaking.

How Secret Level Compares To Love, Death, & Robots

Two Anthologies From The Same Mind Feel Like Twin Experiments In Sci-Fi

Prime Video’s Secret Level is a standout show, but it’s part of a growing trend. Over the last ten years, Love, Death & Robots on Netflix has been one of the most popular animated anthology series. Similar to Secret Level, it features separate science fiction stories that can be intensely violent or surprisingly thoughtful.

As a film buff, I’ve noticed a really interesting connection between LD+R and Secret Level. It’s no coincidence, actually – both were led by Tim Miller, the director famous for Deadpool. They’re totally different shows, sure, but they definitely feel like they come from the same creative headspace – a real spiritual connection, if you ask me.

The main difference between Secret Level and Love, Death & Robots is where they get their stories: Secret Level uses worlds from video games, while Love, Death & Robots usually adapts existing short stories or creates completely original ones. However, they’re similar in how they’re made. Both shows are known for trying out different animation styles, moods, and ways of telling stories, sometimes even within the same season.

Some episodes from Secret Level are so similar in style to Love, Death & Robots that they could fit right in, if you removed the parts that specifically mention games. Similarly, many stories in Love, Death & Robots are packed with action and feel like they could be based on video games that were never made.

Both Love, Death & Robots and Secret Level explore similar ideas: technology, violence, what it means to be human, and the ways we use power. They don’t shy away from dark endings or unresolved stories, and they value creating a strong impression and imaginative worlds more than providing simple, happy conclusions.

The main difference between the two shows lies in their goals. Secret Level has the extra hurdle of staying true to the original stories, even while making big changes. This can actually spark creativity. Love, Death & Robots, however, feels much more open and unrestricted, able to explore any idea that works for its short-story format.

Both series feel like they go hand-in-hand. Secret Level and Love, Death & Robots satisfy the same desire for science fiction aimed at adults with bold visuals, though they achieve this in somewhat different ways.

When Is Secret Level Season 2 Coming Out?

Season 2 Is Confirmed But The Biggest Questions Remain

Fans of Prime Video’s animated series, Secret Level, can rejoice! A second season has been officially confirmed for December 2024, showing Prime Video’s confidence in the show’s future. Unfortunately, very few details about the new season have been released so far.

We don’t have a release date for season 2 of Secret Level yet, and the creators are keeping details secret. The biggest question fans have is which video games will be featured next. This is a key part of what makes the show interesting, as each new game allows for a completely different style and look. So far, though, there’s no information about which games will be adapted for the show next.

With the strong start of the first season, anticipation is building for what comes next. If the upcoming episodes are as visually impressive and creatively daring as the first, Secret Level has the potential to become a standout sci-fi series for Prime Video. Until then, viewers will be eagerly waiting, sharing theories, and rewatching the initial episodes as they wonder what new adventures season two will bring.

2026-02-25 18:40