Secret Level exposes a side of the Armored Core series we rarely see

In trailers for Prime Video’s Secret Level, we’re shown a glimpse of its Armored Core episode that evokes Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam: With a massive, outstretched metal finger, a godlike mech gingerly reaches out to an injured human pilot, seemingly ready to rescue it from its broken machine.

While watching those trailers, I rolled my eyes at what seemed like a tired visual cliche. (In my defense, said trailer is set to M83’s highly played-out “Outro,” after all.) But after watching Secret Level’s Armored Core episode, “Asset Management,” and seeing that creation scene in context, I feel like I owe the show’s creators an apology. The shot I balked at is one of the best moments in Secret Level.

“Asset Management” stars Keanu Reeves as an Armored Core pilot living on a hellish frozen world and who appears on the brink of a mental or physical collapse. Maybe both. But as core pilots go, he’s still the best of the best, which Secret Level’s animators showcase via some intense core-on-core action.

Reeves’ unnamed pilot takes on multiple opposing mechs in fight scenes that play out authentically to the games. Favoring smart tactics and up-close killing blows, Reeves’ pilot proves that he’s atop the Armored Core food chain by staying two steps ahead of the competition; he knows when his enemies are trying not to kill him, but rather wear him down. He smartly uses his environment and stealthy attacks to hold his own against superior firepower. He’s basically the John Wick of AC pilots.

In addition to a flurry of engrossing, high-speed mech fights, we also get a look at the inner workings of an Armored Core, something rarely seen in FromSoftware’s games. The action in the games always takes place outside of the mech, but the episode shows the physical toil that Reeves’ pilot undergoes to synchronize with his giant suit of armor. It’s not pleasant, but it is fascinating to watch a digital Keanu endure the grueling act of piloting an AC. The games only hint at how physically taxing it is to survive as a pilot; “Asset Management” literally shows the blood, sweat, and tears the job requires.

Joining Reeves in “Asset Management” is actor Erin Yvette, Ayre from Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, doing another turn as the voice inside a pilot’s head; though she’s not explicitly credited as Ayre, it’s a casting choice that fans of the game will appreciate. Star Wars’ Temuera Morrison also makes a brief appearance, but the 11-minute episode is really a showcase for Reeves, who should probably be doing more mech piloting in FromSoftware’s gritty sci-fi universe.

Ultimately, “Asset Management” isn’t just an entertaining jolt of action for mech-action fans, it’s a pretty good commercial for Armored Core 6. The on-screen action from Secret Level feels true to the game, so if you want to be a suffering pilot like Reeves, we highly recommend the game as one of 2023’s best.

The first eight episodes of Secret Level are now streaming on Prime Video. The last seven drop on Dec. 17.