Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

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makemeunreal
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Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by makemeunreal »

Secret Level is an upcoming Amazon Prime series launching December 10 showcasing stories from games like Warhammer, Mega Man, Sifu and more, all built in Unreal Engine.
https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/e ... et-level/1
A new adult-animated anthology series featuring original stories set within the worlds of some of the world’s most beloved video games. From the creative minds behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS, each of the 15 episodes is a celebration of games and gamers.



The purpose of this discussion is to dive into the teaser trailer for the upcoming movie and explore fan theories. Share your thoughts and speculations!
The images below are direct captures from the teaser trailer.
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Metalfist
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by Metalfist »

HOLY SHIT! :shock:
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makemeunreal
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by makemeunreal »

That was my exact first reaction too when a clanmate linked this to the group chat a few days ago...
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by darkbarrage99 »

Why's Xan Kriegor look like a hoover?
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by EvilGrins »

darkbarrage99 wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2024 8:19 pm Why's Xan Kriegor look like a hoover?
Because Xan sucks?
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by darksonny »

I've blown my pants holy cow....
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by EvilGrins »

That was a bit of a surprise.

Obviously largely drawing from UT4, and it was very cool to hear the UT-announcer's voice all over the place, there's a slight deviation from UT's canon.

In UT99 it was established that Xan was the greatest warrior of the games, that over the course of many battles he had his damaged/lost body parts replaced with machines but he didn't start out as a robot.

Secret Level s01e04 is the only one I've watched so far, as that one specifically has to do with Unreal Tournament. No idea if UT is in any of the other episodes.

...and it was very cool to see Skaarj in this, however briefly.
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OjitroC
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by OjitroC »

EvilGrins wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:14 pm No idea if UT is in any of the other episodes.
No, each episode is based on a particular game.

My initial reaction to the eight episodes thus far was “what is the point/purpose?” - they’re all short with little or no character development and very limited scope for exposition or plot development; people familiar with a game will get something out of an episode but those who are not probably won't; some of the episodes work better than others.

The UT episode is OK, being based on the concept of the Tournament and demonstrating the basic gameplay dynamics - I would suspect though that, for most long term players, the SP Tournament long ago ceased to be the reason why they still play or make 'things' for the game. So not sure if it captured the essence of the game.

Of the others (and I'm not familiar with any of the games, though I know something about the Warhammer ‘universe') - the D&D episode was interesting for the characters more than anything else; Warhammer was dramatic and suitably grimly rendered with plenty of gore and PacMan was cleverly done with a nice twist. The others had little or no impact on me - none of them would temp me to try the games though I would be interested to learn a bit more about the D&D characters.

Overall worth watching, once at least, but not likely to have much of a lasting impact (but that’s just me of course).
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by Swanky »

I found the UT episode to be on the boring side. Sure it had the music and announcer, but everything else felt a little dull. Too dark visually, and with the twist of making it robots vs x it also wasn't really what makes UT.
Imo it would have been better to not focus on a malfunctioning mining bot becoming Xan but focussing on Team Thundercrash during the first UT (which Malcolm won canonically, I think). Would have been a better focal point and made for better narration.

For the rest of the series, yes, it's all short movies giving a glimpse into the respective games, although, sometimes with a lot of creative liberties taken (Pacman, ahem).
Standouts for me were 40k, because it's just really well done and shows what the universe is like, and Armored Core. Didn't expect those actors to take part in it, but the story and action were actually well done on this one.
Bonus points for getting the VAs in the New Worlds episode - him also doing the VA in german with a heavy austrian accent made the episode even funnier.
The rest didn't really grab me, although I will say that the visuals were stellar throughout.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by papercoffee »

I thought the UT episode was great. Rise of proto Xan. From now on he'll get more armour and other body parts.
It was more the story of an inevitable disaster. In their arrogance, Instead of just dissembling the machines they use them in a game as target practice and get slowly kicked in the butt.

It was interesting ...and I'm biased because Xan was my long time only play skin :mrgreen:

Oh from all the other episodes the Warhammer one was one of the best.
The Pacman ...uhm ...well ...there was also trailer on the GOY show for the real game that short was based of.
Everything else was nice.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by Chrysaor »

I liked it! Definitely not the best show I've watched, but really nice to see my favorite game isn't totally consigned to the dustbin of history.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by EvilGrins »

Found this interesting segment, which near as I can tell was nowhere in the Secret Level episode:
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by papercoffee »

EvilGrins wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:41 am Found this interesting segment, which near as I can tell was nowhere in the Secret Level episode:
Those scenes are all in the episode.
When the Necris has the only sound idea about that mess.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by Swanky »

Have seen it and found it mediocre. It didn't grab me.
Yes it had the music and announcer, but the arena designs were a bit drab.

Personally would have liked a story of Team Thunder Crash which has actual memorable characters over Xan's supposed origin story. Maybe about the rivalry with Gorge.
Well, at least the action and trick shots were good.
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Re: Secret Level Miniseries - Unreal Tournament - Discussion, Theories

Post by EvilGrins »

papercoffee wrote: Fri Jan 31, 2025 6:46 pmThose scenes are all in the episode.
The one where Xan drops down behind the guys and shoots them both in the heads for the DOUBLE KILL wasn't.