The following contains spoilers for Secret Level Season 1 Episode 6, 'The Circle,' now streaming on Prime VideoSecret levelThe Pac-Man-inspired episode highlights how an adaptation can turn even a somewhat benign concept into a horrific story. Secret level is an ambitious project from series creator Tim Miller and his collaborators. Secret level reimagines different video game properties as a series of independent animated shorts, each telling a different story in a different setting. Some of the adaptations have been faithful recreations of their original settings, while others follow the broad strokes of the concept to create something new.
One of the best examples of this approach in Secret level is “The Circle”, which adapts the classic 1982 arcade game Pac-Man in a science fiction horror tale. The plot revolves around a clear Pac-Man stand-in, nicknamed Puck, leading a swordsman through a maze full of monsters in search of the exit. It's a surprisingly dark and horrifying story, especially when it reaches the final stretch of the story. The result is a stunning (and terrifying) reminder of how adaptation can transform basic concepts into something unexpected.
Secret Level Pac-Man, Explained
“The Circle” spins Pac-Man In a horror story
“Circle” is a dark reinterpretation of Pac-Manhighlighting how easy it is to reimagine the basic video game into a horror story. “Circle” takes place within the Labyrinth, a mysterious and alien landscape populated by fearsome creatures. The short revolves around the Swordsman, a lonely figure who struggles to survive in the environment. His only companion is the robotic orb nicknamed Puck, who appears to be a guide through the Labyrinth. The entire short plays as a dark sci-fi horror, with the Swordsman narrowly escaping many near-death encounters with the creatures that populate the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth's designs are purposefully disturbing, with the creatures and Ghosts being much more fearsome than they appeared in the original game. The revelation that Puck is desperately trying to escape the maze and is willing to eat his only companion to achieve that freedom underscores the horror of their situation. Even from Puck's perspective, “Circle” is an existential horroras each new cloned swordsman who fails to break through the maze leaves Puck trapped for another cycle. The episode's final lines hint at the psychological impact of this situation, giving the Pac-Man stand-in genuine pathos and a sense of dread.
Secret Level's Pac-Man is very different from his previous TV appearances
Pac-ManPrevious TV roles were much less scary
This is also a much more horrible sight Pac-Man than any other version that has appeared on television before. Two excited Pac-Man programs were launched in 1982 and 2013, respectively. Pac-Man it was produced by Hanna-Barbera and was similar to other cartoons produced by that animation studio. There was also the subsequent Pac-Man and ghostly adventures CGI series, which debuted on Disney XD in 2013. Both shows used Pac-Man and his supporting cast for light-hearted adventures. This is a far cry from the bloody, frightening vision that Secret level hugged.
The fact that [Pac-Man] can consume others to strengthen itself takes the game mechanics and applies a frightening element to them.
There have been failed attempts to bring Pac-Man to the big screen, though the closest that came to fruition was Adam Sandler's video game comedy. Pixels. This film also positioned Pac-Man as a major threatalbeit one that can be defeated. In Secret levelPuck is a seemingly endless creature who can survive all types of torture in his attempts to escape the Labyrinth. The fact that you can consume others to strengthen yourself takes away the mechanics of the game and applies a scary element to them.
Secret Level Understands How Scary Pac-Man Can Really Be
Secret level It takes established elements of Pac-Man And throws them to scare
It makes sense to transform Pac-Man into a horror, even if it may seem unexpected on the surface. There is the existential horror of an endless maze that players explore, along with the ghostly apparitions that constantly chase the player. Until Pac-Man himself can be scary when considered an unfeeling, all-consuming monster. Secret level nor is it the first animated property to consider this idea, with the popular web series Something about… combining classic arcade with horror game Dead Space to create something disturbing and horrible.
Secret level brings a certain grounded dread to the concepteven taking a completely sci-fi approach to the series. “Circle” highlights how even seemingly benign concepts can be given horrific elements if given the right approach. “Circle” works as a horror story on multiple levels, from bloody violence to more heady fears about the unknown and the cycles people get trapped in. It's also an effective reminder of the kind of creative freedom that can be found in adaptations, something Secret level highlights in its 15-episode series.