The Concord episode of Prime Video’s Secret Level revealed the untapped potential of this unsuccessful hero shooter, illustrating what might have been for the game. Secret Level has creatively adapted 15 video games, both classic and modern, into engaging television content. However, not all of these games were recognized as industry legends. One notable title, Concord, faced critical failure, making its inclusion in Secret Level somewhat unexpected. Despite its shortcomings, Secret Level managed to elevate Concord, showcasing aspects of the game that hinted at its latent capabilities.

Concord fell into the category of hero shooters, where players took control of distinct characters, each equipped with unique abilities and skills. Similar to popular titles such as Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals, players would form teams based on character strengths to battle against other teams with comparable setups. Unfortunately, Concord struggled to carve out its unique identity amidst the crowded hero shooter genre, leading to its closure merely weeks post-launch. Although the game is no longer accessible, Secret Level provided a window into what Concord might have offered, hinting at a richer narrative experience.

An In-Depth Look at Concord’s Episode in Secret Level

“Tale Of The Implacable” Establishes a Universe of Outlaws and Pirates

The thirteenth episode of Secret Level, titled “Concord: Tale of the Implacable“, follows a daring group of Freegunners—Kai, Rade, Sladie, and Smokes—aboard the ship Implacable. This crew embarks on a mission to rescue their captain, Cassidy Taimak, who has been captured after pilfering one of the Guild’s crucial maps. Their rescue attempt goes awry, resulting in the Implacable falling into the hands of a Guild officer. In a bold move to rally fellow pirates across the galaxy, the Freegunners opt to broadcast their map, effectively liberating space travel for all.

Tale of the Implacable draws notable similarities to the acclaimed science fiction series, Firefly, along with its subsequent film, Serenity. Just like Concord, the universe of Firefly is under the thumb of a vast organization known as the Union of Allied Planets. The main ensemble in Firefly consists of outlaws initially driven by personal gain, who eventually evolve into revolutionary figures, inspiring others along their journey. Both Concord and Firefly evoke a Western frontier feeling in space, emphasizing the allure of freedom that comes with an outlaw’s lifestyle.

The Open-Ended Finale of Concord Sets Up an Intriguing Universe

Exploring the Intriguing Elements of Concord’s Universe

One of the most compelling aspects of Tale of the Implacable is its unique approach, as it doesn’t feature the main characters from Concord. Instead, it serves almost as a prequel, laying the groundwork for the conflicts and piracy that would define the narratives of the main characters in the game. In terms of introducing audiences to Concord, Secret Level accomplished its goal effectively. Though it may not stand out as the most memorable episode of the series, Tale of the Implacable does a commendable job of shedding light on what made Concord distinctive and worthy of further exploration.

While Concord may not have achieved the iconic status of legendary sci-fi franchises like Star Wars or Firefly, it nevertheless introduced several intriguing concepts. The dynamic conflict between the Guild and the Freegunners presented an engaging asymmetrical struggle, ripe for compelling storytelling opportunities. Additionally, the pirate-like nature of the Freegunners provided a fertile ground for diverse and colorful characters, opening avenues for Concord to explore larger-than-life personalities within this faction.

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Moreover, the universe itself holds captivating elements. Unlike the often glamorized portrayals of space travel, Concord depicted it with a sense of danger and realism, which could have provided a refreshing perspective on the logistics of space exploration in both games and shows. An exploration of the Tempest and its origins would have been endlessly fascinating, revealing its destructive capabilities and inner workings. The open-ended conclusion of Secret Level illustrated that Concord was a blank canvas, rich with potential for countless stories waiting to be told.

Understanding Concord’s Shutdown and Secret Level’s Perspective

The Insufficient Player Base Led to Concord’s Closure: Insights from Tim Miller

Regrettably, Concord will never have the opportunity to build upon the foundations laid by Secret Level. The game was taken offline on September 6, 2024, a mere two weeks after its launch, with Sony decisively shutting down Concord and the studio behind it, Firewalk Studios. According to Sony, the decision stemmed from low player engagement, with the game peaking at just under 700 concurrent players on Steam. Several factors contributed to Concord‘s inability to attract gamers, including its $40 price tag in comparison to free-to-play options like Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals, as well as criticism over its lackluster character designs.

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Concord‘s closure signifies that Secret Level now stands as the sole interactive remnant of the game for consumers. Unfortunately, it merely showcased Concord‘s potential, which ultimately wasn’t sufficient to warrant the game’s continuation. Interestingly, it was unexpected that Secret Level chose not to withdraw the Concord episode following the game’s abrupt cancellation. Tim Miller, the series creator, shared his insights on the matter (via Variety).

“My first thought when we heard it was not, ‘Oh, woe is us’ for our show — we really felt bad for these people, because they’re friends and fellow artists and people who are willing to take some risks. And we both know what it’s like to not have those risks succeed, and they’re really good people who are just trying to make a great game.”

Miller expressed deep empathy for his fellow creators. Since the Concord episode of Secret Level was already finalized prior to the game’s shutdown, he opted to retain it in the series as a tribute to his team (via Collider).

“First of all, we have other episodes that don’t have existing games out there, either because they haven’t come out yet, or because they came out in the past and are not currently published. So I didn’t feel weird about that. But also, why? Hundreds of artists and animators and lighters and modelers worked on this episode, and it’s great. The characters are cool. It’s funny. It’s a really interesting episode. So why add insult to injury and not have all that hard work be shown to the world? It’s a great episode, regardless of whatever happened.”

Based on Miller’s reflections, it appears that Secret Level serves as both a prelude and a heartfelt farewell to Concord. Intriguingly, the show also functions as