Funko Fusion [Review]
Developed and published by 1010 Games Ltd, Funko Fusion draws inspiration from the popular Funko Pop! toy line. It has been compared to LEGO games, particularly LEGO Dimensions, due to its numerous references and collectibles from various media franchises that have been adapted into Pop figures, ranging from Scott Pilgrim to Steven Spielberg films. However, Funko Fusion is not a "toys-to-life" game, contrary to initial assumptions.
Despite a promising concept with its vast array of characters and worlds, the game proved confusing and overly difficult. For instance, in the Scott Pilgrim world, the first level presented a struggle to activate amps due to using the wrong character. The game only conveyed this crucial information through an easily missed NPC. A clear in-game indicator, like a symbol or pop-up, is desperately needed to inform players when character switching is required. This lack of guidance extends to alternate paths and secrets, making it difficult to discern when the appropriate character is unavailable. The game's difficulty is further exacerbated by the sheer volume of enemies. The first level in the Masters of the Universe world, for example, is a relentless onslaught with no clear objective beyond continuous fighting until Skeletor appears.
Some level designs also felt uninspired. The initial level of the Jurassic World area, for instance, felt like a direct copy of a layout from LEGO Jurassic World, specifically the "Under Attack" segment. However, Funko Fusion introduces an odd element by having Jurassic World security guards fight the player, which is inconsistent with the film. The most enjoyable experience with the game was in the Scott Pilgrim world. Despite the lack of character-switching prompts, these levels were engaging and the boss fights fair, a stark contrast to the overwhelming combat in Masters of the Universe. This suggests Funko Fusion possesses significant potential for fun.
The game's strongest aspect is its exploration. There's an abundance of activities, visuals, and collectibles, along with numerous hidden references for observant players. Simply traversing the levels, collecting items, and destroying objects proved to be the most satisfying part. This makes the confusing puzzles less bothersome, but the absence of character-type indicators for specific actions remains a significant issue. Obtaining Megaman is awful, as players have to visit various worlds to find specific things to collect and unlock him as a main character. Players wanting to play as Mega Man or Voltron will have to go through almost the entire game before using the only characters that really matter for this entire cash grab of a game.
Funko Fusion is a massive game with room for expansion, and it's likely that players will find at least one world to enjoy, even if others don't resonate. While the Masters of the Universe and Jurassic World sections were disliked, the Scott Pilgrim area was thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately, the pervasive issue of not knowing what to do or when to switch characters, coupled with minor but accumulative problems like an excessive number of enemies and an annoying revive system, detracts significantly from the experience. The game proved more frustrating than entertaining. Unlike when the game was released, this game can now be enjoyed with friends online, although it still doesn't support local co-op, which ultimately kills this game for families.