Prime Video’sSecret Levelbrought a mix of popular and underrated video game franchises to life, with its final episode featuring a variety of IPs, all associated with PlayStation. After the success ofLove, Death & Robots, Tim Miller brought his animated anthology format to the world of video game adaptations, creating 15 unique episodes that all focused on established titles. While the first 14 all centered around one specific game, the final outing was completely different, asSecret Levelepisode 15paid homage to PlayStation by including numerous exciting Easter Eggs throughout the runtime.
“Playtime: Fulfillment” focuses on a girl named O completing a series of mundane tasks and getting little reward as a result, until a real challenge finally comes her way.After being tasked with delivering a package, she runs into a series of obstacles while on her journey, most of which are mascots from well-known PlayStation titles. Although “Fulfillment” didn’t quite get the best out of its cameos, it was still fun to see some recognizable faces appear in some form of adaptation, and many of these games will now be on ourSecret Levelseason 2 wish list.
6Ghost of Tsushima
The Game’s Protagonist Makes A Hidden Appearance During Playtime’s Closing Moments
Ghost of Tsushimawas by far the most hidden cameo in “Playtime: Fulfillment”, as Jin Sakai appears briefly in the episode during its final moments.Despite being part of a massive game and even featuring inSecret Level’s trailer, Jin only had a very minuscule part in season 1, as he appeared in the background after O completed her mission. The character plays little more than a cameo role as he can be spotted walking behind the protagonist with his signature sword holstered, giving fans of the franchise a chance to see the samurai in a completely new environment.
Given he featured in the advertising, fans may have expected the character to at least have a small scene in the spotlight, rather than be reduced to an easily missable Easter Egg.
However, even thoughGhost of Tsushimawas never advertised to get its own episode, some fans may be disappointed Jin didn’t have slightly more involvement.Given he featured in the advertising, fans may have expected the character to at least have a small scene in the spotlight, rather than be reduced to an easily missable Easter Egg. Therefore, the decision to exclude him from the main plot may be one of the leading factors to “Fulfillment” being amongSecret Level’s lowest-ranked episodes, but the fact he appeared at all offers some small hope that he’ll return in season 2.
5Journey
The Highly Acclaimed Indie Game Received Some Love From Secret Level
As one of the biggest indie games of all time, it seems fittingJourneywould feature in an episode all about PlayStation hits.Secret Levelcalled out gamingproblems through its fifteenth episode by putting emphasis on creativity and imagination, withJourneyticking both these boxes. Rather than being another generic shooter and falling into some classic industry tropes,Journeybreaks the mold by putting players on an adventure toward a mountain with no dialog taking place. The game’s primary focus is its stunning artistic style and soundtrack, alongside its community aspects.
Secret Level Uses A Classic Video Game Mechanic To Great Storytelling Effect
Multiple episodes of Prime Video’s Secret Level take a classic video game mechanic, using it to explore a large number of themes about life and death.
Players can come across strangers throughout their run, but the two can’t communicate and only learn each other’s names after the credits. It is truly one of the most unique gaming experiences out there, making it a nice touch thatSecret Levelopted to include the game in an episode full of heavy hitters. The most obvious cameo comes after O delivers the package, revealing a vibrant city that features one of the game’s robed figures walking in front of her. However, O also spots aJourneyposter inside the house her delivery is addressed to.
Considering the game was released over a decade ago, it would have been very easy to exclude a title like this for something a little more mainstream.Thankfully,Secret Levelshowed plenty of love for games from all eras, allowingJourneyto have various cameos throughout “Fulfillment”. While it may be hard to dedicate an entire episode to the indie title, this cameo at least offers fans of the franchise a chance to reminisce about one of the most underrated games of the 2010s, and its presence in Prime Video’s anthology series is undoubtedly deserved.
4Little Big Planet
One Of PlayStation’s Best Mascots Made A Fun Cameo
WithAstro Botwinning Game of the Year at the 2024 Game Awards, it’s clear PlayStation can still produce great platformers, andLittle Big Planetis still one of their best.After its successful debut in 2008, the game received multiple sequels and spinoffs, butSecret Levelfinally brought the franchise to TV through Sackboy’s appearance in episode 15. The character makes his first cameo during O’s escape, as he can be spotted smiling and waving inside a basket with a propeller on top as the protagonist falls from a building, providing him with a subtle yet memorable role.
However, this isn’t the franchise’s only bit of screen time, as aLittle Big Planetposter appears near theJourneyone, while Sackboy also pops up on a bench next to Johnny during the episode’s climax.
Just like in the gaming series, Sackboy doesn’t have any dialog, but his cute demeanor and lively presence are charming, making it a breath of fresh air to see him involved in “Fulfillment”.Whether the game gets its own episode now thatSecret Levelis confirmed for season 2is yet to be seen, but more Sackboy would certainly be welcomed.
3Shadow Of The Colossus
The Colossus Has A Big Presence In “Playtime: Fulfillment”
Shadow of the Colossusis another highly-touted gem from PlayStation, and the game had a fairly large role in the episode. Although most of the cameos were short, considering the episode was only around 10 minutes long, it’s impossible to miss the huge appearance of the Colossus. The figure’s size and stature leaves a big impression when it shows up in front of O, highlighting the enormous obstacles she will face on her journey. Alongside his initial appearance, the intimidating character features again at the end of the episode when Johnny transforms into him as O asks to play again.
LikeJourneyandLittle Big Planet, the game also has a poster inside the house O visits as part of her delivery, further cementing the franchise’s involvement in Prime Video’s PlayStation-focused episode.WithShadow of the Colossusbeing a cult classic alongside having incredible reviews across the board, it’s great to seeSecret Levelpay homage to the franchise, which remains a truly innovative piece of media.
2Helldivers II
Helldivers II Featured Heavily In The Episode After Its 2024 Success
Out of all the franchises involved inSecret Level’s final episode,Helldivers IImay just have the biggest role, as soldiers appear constantly throughout.A group of Helldivers are the first set of characters to show up and ask O for the conduit back, which sparks the episode’s chase sequence.They appear once again when O makes it to a rooftop, thinking she’s finally got some freedom. Unfortunately for her, the group of soldiers comes chasing after her once more, forcing the protagonist to drive her bike off the building while the Helldivers follow in hot pursuit.
Unsurprisingly, the game also has a poster featured in the episode, and the group that had been chasing O throughout the episode appears in its climax, praising the protagonist and high-fiving one another.Some creatures from the game also have a cameo alongside the robed figure fromJourney, markingHelldivers II’s stamp all over the project.Secret Levelfeatured plenty of great video games, but withHelldivers IIbeing the highlight of “Fulfillment” despite having limited screen time, hopefully, the Easter Eggs and cameos are a sign that the series may give the shooting franchise its own episode next season.
1God Of War
Kratos Was Given One Of The Episode’s Most Memorable Moments
Although Kratos was given far less time on the show than many would have wanted, he still had one of episode 15’s coolest moments.The iconic PlayStation character dropped from the sky, wielding his iconic ax which he smashed into the ground, creating a path of ice to try and stop O. The protagonist then jumped overGod of War’s main character, but Kratos did show up again shortly before the credits, as he can be spotted sitting on a bench behind theHelldivers IIcharacters while O talks with Johnny about the game they just played.
Compared to what people were expecting,Secret Level’sGod of Warcameo was disappointingconsidering Kratos was one of the most recognizable figures in the show’s marketing.Fans would have expected such a well-known character to be more involved in an episode like this, but it only builds more hype for a potentialGod of Warstory in season 2. Even if Kratos' involvement wasn’t quite what audiences were hoping for, it makes sense he’d be involved in an episode all about admiring PlayStation sinceGod of Warhas been around for almost two decades.
The reception to “Fulfillment” may feel a little underwhelming compared to the praise most other episodes received throughoutSecret Level’s first season, but it was still nice to see these franchises get some mainstream attention.God of Waralready has a TV series in the works andGhost of Tsushimacould easily be adapted in the future, but games likeJourney,Shadow of the Colossus, andLittle Big Planetmay struggle to get full projects outside the video game industry, making it a wholesome tribute that they featured through the show’s various Easter Eggs and cameos.
Secret Level
Secret Level is an adult animated series exploring original short stories set within the worlds of popular video games. Each episode introduces new adventures, delving into iconic gaming classics and forthcoming titles to unlock captivating narratives and immersive experiences. Created by Tim Miller, the series celebrates gaming culture.
