8.2

Review: Secret Level Episode 5: "And They Shall Know No Fear"

It's been a while since Amazon surprised with a wide range of animation episodes about different games, yet there is still talk about the most famous episode of the series: "And They Shall Know No Fear" based on Warhammer: 40K. As a big fan of Warhammer I have chosen to give this one a review first (I will try not to be biased).

Summary

In this standalone episode, Secret Level portrays the grim, violent world of Warhammer 40K. The episode targets Titus, an Ultramarine from Space Marine 2. Presumably, the episode will begin on the mission Titus receives after completion of Space Marine 2. Titus, along with his squad, must take out a group of chaos cultists on an unnamed planet.

Visual impact and atmosphere

Warhammer is the creator of the genre "grimdark" and you can see that again. The atmosphere is as you expect from Warhammer, or actually every future 40 thousand years later in which humanity and aliens are constantly at war with each other. The atmosphere consequently leaves nothing to the imagination. Aren't you familiar with Warhammer? Then this gives an excellent picture of what it actually looks like 40 thousand years in the future.

I can be very brief about the animation: it is really fantastic and more realistic than what is actually to be found so far in animation about Warhammer, both fan-made and official. The choreography shows the power the Space Marines have: 3 meters high walking tanks.

Critical comments

Although I really enjoyed it it is a pity that a certain board is missed here: The episode is full of action and naturally pertains to Titus, his willpower and resistance to Chaos. Still, it lacks a great opportunity to really show Warhammer what else is: a bureaucratic nightmare and daily life of 99% of the people in the Warhammer universe. Sure, it's a short episode and it has to be used well, but I do miss some deep lore.