VideoGames - Funko Fusion: A nostalgic mix of franchises and Funko Fun

By Mulder, 20 september 2024

Funko Fusion is a delightful crossover that brings together some of popular media's best-loved characters and franchises, combining the charming aesthetic of Funko Pop figures with an action-adventure puzzle-solving setting. Developed by 10:10 Games and published by Universal Games, Funko Fusion isn't just a crossover, it's a true celebration of pop culture. Whether you're a fan of TV series, movies or even video games, Funko Fusion promises to be a fun and immersive experience for players of all ages. Funko Fusion presents itself both as a spiritual successor to the LEGO games and as a new approach to the mashup genre, balancing puzzle-solving, combat and storytelling with a light-hearted, playful tone.

At its core, Funko Fusion is a whimsical journey into a world where franchise boundaries blur, bringing together characters from different universes in a single world. The game's central story revolves around an interdimensional rift that merges these universes, forcing an unlikely group of heroes to team up to save their respective worlds.

What sets Funko Fusion apart is its cross-franchise synergy. While similar games such as Disney Infinity or the LEGO franchise have also merged various intellectual properties, Funko Fusion manages to do so while retaining the playful visual charm of Funko Pop's exaggerated, wide-eyed, bobble-headed figures. Each world and character is reimagined in the iconic Funko style, offering a unique and fun perspective on well-known properties.

From Universal classics like Back to the Future, Umbrella Academy, Jurassic World, Masters of the Universe and Chucky, to surprising cameos from unexpected corners of pop culture, the game is a tribute to everything a pop culture enthusiast loves. The integration of these characters isn't just superficial; the different abilities, weapons and personality traits of each character are cleverly integrated into the gameplay mechanics, allowing for unique puzzle-solving scenarios.

Funko Fusion's game structure draws heavily on other action-adventure and puzzle games, particularly the LEGO series. It offers a mix of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving and platforming, all wrapped up in accessible mechanics that appeal to casual and hardcore gamers alike.

Each character in the crossover brings a unique set of abilities, allowing players to switch between them strategically to overcome obstacles. For example, Jurassic World characters can have enhanced strength or animal taming abilities, while Back to the Future characters can manipulate time to solve puzzles. The game's combat isn't overly complex, but relies on fun, fast-paced action that emphasises teamwork and skill combinations.

One of the most interesting aspects of the combat system is the use of special moves and transformations. Certain characters can temporarily take on a larger, more powerful form to defeat larger threats, creating a dynamic change in gameplay. For example, characters like the T-Rex from Jurassic World or He-Man from Masters of the Universe can radically change the course of combat when introduced into battle. Each transformation adds weight and excitement to the battles.

Puzzles are designed to make use of the unique powers of the characters and the environment, much like in LEGO games. Players may have to manipulate time, use telekinesis or transform into an animal to solve multi-layered puzzles. While the puzzles are relatively simple to begin with, the difficulty increases as players progress, often requiring precise coordination between the characters' abilities. This adds a tactical layer to the game that complements the action-adventure elements.

Exploration is another fun component, with items to collect and unlock hidden throughout each level. To unlock them, you need to solve additional puzzles, defeat secret enemies or simply explore off the beaten track. Long-
time fans of the properties will be delighted by the references and Easter eggs scattered throughout the levels.
The game features a multiplayer mode, supporting online and local cooperative play. Up to four players can join forces to tackle challenges together, and the synergy between the different characters is even more pronounced in co-op. The characters complement each other well, meaning that teamwork goes beyond simply pressing buttons in combat. Each player can control a character with unique abilities, leading to chaotic but incredibly fun moments of co-ordination and creativity.

The entry and exit mechanics are also seamless, allowing players to enter and exit games without interrupting their progress. In this way, Funko Fusion remains accessible and doesn't suffer from the frustration of having to start again when someone leaves the game.

The first thing that stands out about Funko Fusion is the visual design. Every character and environment is reimagined in the exaggerated Funko Pop style, with adorable oversized heads and minimalist facial features. The environments, though simplistic in structure, are colourful and full of detail, showing obvious care in representing the world of each franchise.

The animations are charming and fun, with characters moving in a cute but true-to-source way. Whether it's Marty McFly from Back to the Future gliding along on his hoverboard or a velociraptor from Jurassic World stalking its prey, the personalities and quirks of these iconic characters are perfectly captured in the game's design.

The art direction is also based on a toy-box aesthetic, with each world resembling a living game. The cartoony atmosphere ensures that the game will appeal to players of all ages, but the clever
clever references and pervasive humour will also resonate with older players.

Sound plays an important role in the immersive experience of Funko Fusion. Iconic soundtracks and musical themes from the various franchises are integrated into the game, triggering waves of nostalgia among long-time fans. Hearing the eerie sounds of Jurassic World's iconic music while navigating the prehistoric world in the form of a Funko Pop figure adds a level of humour and fun to the experience.

Voice acting is also present, with the original actors returning for some characters, making the interaction between the different franchises even more authentic. The witty, playful dialogue allows the story to progress without taking itself too seriously. The characters engage in humorous banter, often breaking the fourth wall and poking fun at their exaggerated Funko shapes.

The sound effects are playful and well placed, reinforcing the toy-like feel of the game. Whether it's the satisfying ‘pop’ sound when a character changes clothes or the clatter of Funko figures falling during battles, the game's audio adds a layer of charm to the overall experience.

While Funko Fusion offers an enjoyable experience for fans of Funko Pops and the franchises they represent, there are a few potential pitfalls. The biggest problem is the reliance on the novelty of Funko Pop and the nostalgia of the crossover. If the gameplay doesn't innovate beyond the LEGO formula, the experience is quite repetitive over time, especially for gamers who aren't heavily invested in pop culture properties.

What's more, the number of franchises present in the game could make it difficult to balance the different characters and their abilities. While each franchise brings something unique to the table, it remains to be seen whether the game can maintain this balance without overwhelming players with too many mechanics and gameplay variations. Another problem is the way the game handles single-player. While the co-op mode looks promising, if the single-player experience doesn't offer enough variety or challenge, it could limit its appeal to solo players.

Funko Fusion is a fun, light-hearted celebration of pop culture, combining action-adventure elements with puzzle-solving and multiplayer mayhem. The delightful use of Funko's iconic art style, combined with beloved characters from different media, ensures that players will be immersed in a visually charming and nostalgic experience. With its fluid co-operative gameplay, witty humour and clever integration of cross-franchise capabilities, Funko Fusion could easily become a hit among fans of the Funko Pop brand and the franchises involved.

However, the game's longevity will depend on its ability to maintain novelty beyond the initial fan service. If 10:10 Games can deliver deep enough gameplay, balance multiple mechanics and ensure a rewarding single-player experience with the announced updates, Funko Fusion could stand out in the crossover genre, appealing to both casual gamers and die-hard pop culture fans. It could well be a game that brings families and friends together, delighting all age groups in its pop culture extravaganza, much as LEGO games have done in the past.

Funko Fusion
Developer: 10:10 Games
Publisher: Universal Games
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Genre: Action-adventure, Puzzle Action-adventure, Puzzle
Release date: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows (13 September 2024), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
(15 November 2024)

Score : 3.5/5