Tim Miller achieves some success in transforming several well-known video game franchises into a short-format series.
Video game adaptations are quickly becoming the next big trend in Hollywood, with numerous quality adaptations being released each year (we’ll skip over Borderlands for now). Director Tim Miller (Deadpool; Love, Death & Robots), however, tests this trend in a notably intriguing manner: rather than solely relying on material from a single franchise, why not create an anthology series that showcases multiple–and seemingly random–intellectual properties as a tribute to the industry itself? This is precisely the aim of Secret Stage.
Secret Stage is Amazon Prime Video’s new animated anthology series where each episode is a captivating, original take on a distinct video game franchise. Certain episodes have garnered high anticipation, featuring historically renowned properties like Mega Man, Pac-Man, and Warhammer 40K, while other segments focus on franchises so obscure, they may come across as some form of odd advertisement or prompt viewers to ponder, “Who is this designed for?” For a series that celebrates the rich narratives found in video games, one might question the inclusion of episodes highlighting games that aren’t even playable. Yes, we are looking at you, Exodus and Harmony.
As expected with an anthology format, the quality of each episode varies significantly. Tim Miller’s signature visual style is evident throughout the series, but the main challenge for Secret Stage lies in its brief format. Each episode lasts between 5 to 17 minutes, excluding the intro and credits, which is often insufficient to fully delve into the rich stories that video games have to offer. Some episodes delight viewers with speedy segments filled with stunning visuals, action, and character-driven moments, while others come off as lacking substance and depth, reminiscent of cinematic gameplay trailers that leave the viewer thinking, “That looks impressive, but where’s the gameplay?” Anyone who appreciates storytelling in video games should temper their expectations regarding episode depth and should not anticipate intricate lore with highly satisfying conclusions or an urge to engage with the source material. The most enjoyable way to experience Secret Stage is to approach it with minimal expectations or connections and regard each segment as a brief homage to the original material.
Overall, Secret Stage is a visually engaging, albeit uneven, homage to the diverse universe and lore of video games while also serving as a pilot to gauge which properties could potentially expand into something longer. It doesn’t limit its audience to just gamers and offers an enticing experience for everyone, particularly those who enjoyed Tim Miller’s other animated contributions, Love, Death & Robots. When the stories falter and fail to convey their worth, viewers can still appreciate the dazzling world-building and visuals that keep them entertained.
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Here are my thoughts for each episode:
Dungeons & Dragons: The Queen’s Cradle (MISS) – I’m a fan of the typical fantasy narrative “save the chosen one” featuring an endearing group of characters, especially when frosty magic and dragons are involved. However, even though this episode incorporates those elements, it doesn’t resonate with the essence of D&D. I wished they had integrated more tangible tabletop gaming elements instead of presenting a standalone tale, but I understand that’s the challenge of transforming a TTRPG into a short 15-minute episode.
Sifu: It Takes a Life (HIT) – I’ve always thought that the resurrection mechanic in Sifu would make for a perfect adaptation, and this episode truly captures it. The change in animation style, the revival moments throughout the battle sequences, and the playful exchanges with the dumpling girl were delightful for that brief runtime. The entire episode flew by, leaving me eager to play the game again.
New World: The Once and Future King (HIT) – This episode was a significant surprise for me, as I’ve only experienced brief gameplay of New World and am not an MMORPG player, but wow, this was phenomenal. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to see Arnold Schwarzenegger voice a silly, funny character for 10 minutes. It brilliantly showcases the absurdity of repeatedly dying and respawning against the same tough antagonist, enriched by humorous interactions between the main character and NPC. It’s such a joyful, refreshing episode compared to the darker tones of many others, and now I crave more of Arnold exclaiming, “AELSTROM LIVES!” as he continuously strives to reclaim his crown.
Unreal Tournament: Xan (HIT) – I have never played Unreal Tournament and don’t know much about it, so I approached this episode without any prior connection. After watching this 19-minute tribute to Xan and his rise to rebellion, I now wish the series would return. While most episodes feel like stories drawn from a video game, Unreal Tournament fully embraced gaming elements—the arena map, voiceover snippets, campy dialogue, and thrilling action scenes. If the games were revamped to reflect the spirit of this episode, I’d jump at the chance to play it.
Warhammer 40,000: And They Shall Know No Fear (HIT) – This was my favorite episode of the series. I believe I watched it five times and I still haven’t played Space Marine 2. It was incredibly well-crafted and intricate, especially the sound effects and visual transitions. You can feel the weight of the Marine’s armor with every step and the gruesome impact it has on foes. Every death felt intensely visceral, and everything about the confrontation with the antagonist had me excited for more. As someone with limited knowledge about the Warhammer universe, I could easily watch hours of stories like this.
Pac-Man: Circle (HIT)- It’s interesting to reflect on this after the release of the Shadow Labyrinth trailer, as my opinions have slightly changed. Before the game trailer dropped, this was my favorite episode, as I perceived it as a bold, cool reimagining of Pac-Man. The “survive or be devoured” narrative with horror elements made me want to see more adaptations of classic arcade games. While this episode remains one of the best, I can’t help but feel it’s a lengthy cutscene trailer for Shadow Labyrinth, which is somewhat disappointing. It’s still worth a watch though!
Crossfire: Apt Battle (MISS) – I’ve found episodes engaging even when I’m unfamiliar with the source material, but this one felt like a drag. It’s a conventional military shooter that seems less like a video game narrative and more like a mediocre action film washed in shades of gray. If you enjoy mindless action, it isn’t entirely terrible, but it certainly left me with no desire to play Crossfire.
Armored Core: Asset Management (HIT) – I was excited to see how Secret Level adapted From Software’s mech series because I’m a big fan of Armored Core 6 and appreciate the studio’s subtle storytelling. Much of the game’s narrative unfolds between the pilot and an AI companion, and this episode embraces that idea in a haunting, unsettling manner that truly conveys the horrors within the Armored Core universe. Keanu Reeves is perfectly cast as the tough, jaded pilot who is compelled to make unethical decisions due to the AI’s influence, despite the AI being so gentle and sweet. It also made me long for the thrill of watching mech battles in the media, and undoubtedly, the entire combat sequence had me curious about their designs.
The Outer Worlds: The Company We Love (HIT) – I loved how this episode delved into the universe of The Outer Worlds, framing it as a tragic romance story. It was an unexpected yet brilliant take on the dystopian themes and class struggles within the series. A lifelong underdog seeks to reconnect with his childhood crush, who has risen in society to become Auntie Cleo, willing to do anything to reunite—enduring painful and traumatic trials, only to realize it might never work. This episode was heartbreaking, but it effectively illustrated what life could truly be like for a random NPC in that vibrant, colorful world.
Mega Man: Open (HIT) – This was my most-anticipated episode, but I ended up questioning whether it was a success or a miss. On one side, it felt like a 5-minute teaser trailer for a Mega Man film or series that may never actually happen, which could disappoint long-time fans eager to see that iconic suit in action (the wait continues). Nonetheless, so many moments resonated within that brief timeframe: the nostalgic music, the heartfelt interactions between Dr. Light and Rock, the buster cannon blast, and finally—witnessing our hero transform into the iconic character himself. It’s not easy to get through this episode without feeling emotional. Five minutes is an insultingly brief duration for such a beloved series, but that’s because Secret Level did such an outstanding job that it left me yearning for more.
Exodus: Odyssey (MISS) – Similar to the Pac-Man episode, Exodus: Odyssey is essentially a cutscene trailer for an up-and-coming game, with the only difference being that everyone knows what Pac-Man is while Exodus is an upcoming sci-fi RPG that few are familiar with.