It’s quite the revelation just how much enjoyment Secret Level’s Concord episode brings, with its charming characters and engaging storyline. Had it been released well before the game’s debut, rather than a mere two months after its untimely demise, it might have genuinely bolstered the sci-fi shooter’s prospects.
The Secret Level episode, “Tale of the Implacable,” stands out with its intriguing narrative elements. Crafted by sci-fi and fantasy writer Rachael K. Jones, the episode delivers a straightforward yet captivating heist filled with unexpected twists. Interestingly, it shifts the spotlight to a group of mercenaries known as the Freegunners, who were absent from the original Concord game. This story acts as a prologue, laying out the vast future of space exploration, the perilous nature of faster-than-light travel, and the antics of a crew of misfits who steal a map of the known universe from those in power. That very map intertwines with Concord’s main storyline, but here, it merely acts as the driving force for the Freegunners’ exploits, establishing their roles in the scheme of things.
Serving as a prequel to Concord, “Tale of the Implacable” introduces its sci-fi realm and its eccentric inhabitants far more effectively than the game ever managed. Gamers previously had to rely on weekly animated scenes or sift through an in-game map to grasp much of its lore. The Secret Level episode for Concord is perfect for setting the stage for Firewalk’s game, making it unfortunate that it wasn’t available earlier.
Concord had to overcome several challenges: its cost, lackluster game mechanics, and characters that failed to strike a chord with audiences. In contrast, the Freegunners from “Tale of the Implacable” are far more endearing than those you could actually play in the game. They’re less sarcastic and don’t fall into the mold of Guardians of the Galaxy archetypes, which Concord players were left with.
“Tale of the Implacable” also highlights another of Concord’s missteps. The intrigue, action, humor, camaraderie, and the heist antics of the Implacable crew were entirely absent from the game itself. Concord ended up as a formulaic shooter that attempted some new ideas that just didn’t click with players. The thrilling, cinematic action depicted in “Tale of the Implacable” seemed destined never to make the leap into the actual game experience.
While Concord may have stumbled as a game, it did at least provide us with a fantastic piece of television.
For those interested, all episodes of Secret Level are currently available to stream on Prime Video.
