The first title from 1010 Games is an ambitious crossover action game featuring plenty of familiar faces. Funko Fusion uses the art style of Funko Pops and features an array of beloved movie and television characters (many from Universal and Skydance, among others). It winds up playing quite similar to the LEGO games by Traveller’s Tales with an added focus on action as many characters can be played like a more traditional third-person shooter. The mash-ups don’t always work, but when it does, the results can be quite a joy.
The coolest part of Funko Fusion is undeniably the recreation of iconic films and worlds. Never would I have expected to get to play a Hot Fuzz video game, but mere hours into Funko Fusion, I was in Sandford, Gloucestershire, solving murders with Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman. There are some really cute reenactments of famous scenes with Funkos, and it’s just hilarious seeing them get brutally murdered — something the game doesn’t shy away from.
While the gameplay doesn’t entirely change from world to world, as you’ve got your ranged and melee attacks, it does cater toward its specific property. For example, in Scott Pilgrim, which is largely a series of boss fights, you’re building special amps that are then used to solve puzzles and enemy encounters. The amount of action versus exploration also changes to fit each world, so you’re always getting a slightly different and fresh experience as you go forward.
It’s worth noting that the quality of the levels can be a bit uneven, and there are bound to be worlds that players simply have less attachment to (I know nothing about The Umbrella Academy, for example). The first Scott Pilgrim level, I found incredibly annoying as I was trying to solve puzzles while an endless stream of enemies (that all died in one hit, so it wasn’t an interesting challenge) kept spawning. However, later in that world, I got one of the funniest boss fights possible as I was tasked with pushing the vegan ex-boyfriend into buckets of fried chicken. The high points certainly make up for the lower ones, which veer into being merely okay rather than outright bad levels.
There’s an overarching story in the play revolving around an evil version of the Funko mascot that helps lead to all of the end-of-world boss encounters. I’m not sure this was needed as the game is at its best when you’re simply allowed to soak in the recreated worlds, but it mostly stays in the background and doesn’t get in the way. Those with more fondness for the Funko brand will likely get more of a kick out of it than I do, but it simply doesn’t hold the cultural stock of LEGO, for example, so I didn’t find it as charming.
It’s also worth noting that I encountered a few bugs while playing (including one that blocked progression, causing me to restart a level), and it’s not launching in a feature-complete state. Online co-op isn’t coming until an update is released in October, for example. Bonus characters and outfits are also on the way, so there do seem to be some solid support plans in place. The unevenness and occasional lack of polish ding what is otherwise a very well thought out and charming experience.
Funko Fusion Review: Final Verdict
By featuring a wide array of beloved franchises and constantly adding mechanics, Funko Fusion stays fresh throughout. While it is at its best when allowing players to enjoy the small details and callbacks from the source material, the action holds up its end of the bargain. There are a few rough edges, and each player will find different adaptations to love, but it winds up being a worthwhile time for any fan of entertainment.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a digital PS5 copy for our Funko Fusion review. Reviewed on version 1.001.001.
