Funko Fusions Factory Feels Like a Blast From LEGO’s Past

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Funko Fusions Factory Feels Like a Blast From LEGO's Past

As someone who has grown up playing the iconic LEGO games and witnessed their evolution over the years, I must say that Funko Fusion feels like a delightful trip down memory lane. The Factory’s design harkens back to the simpler days of LEGO games, evoking a sense of nostalgia that is hard to resist. It’s as if the developers took a time machine and brought back the essence of those classic hub worlds, complete with doors leading to levels and interactive machines scattered about.

Given that Funko Fusion appears to target the same market as Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO series, it’s only logical for players to compare the two. They share many similarities, such as tackling numerous iconic properties, offering gameplay that is strikingly alike, and both relying on being collect-a-thons. However, while the LEGO franchise has evolved significantly since its inception, Funko Fusion seems intent on harking back to what made those early games so appealing.

One aspect that might catch the eye of Funko Fusion gamers is the absence of spoken dialogue, reminiscent of earlier LEGO games such as before LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes. Yet, this retro vibe doesn’t end there. The Factory in Funko Fusion seems to hark back to those timeless titles, not just resembling a LEGO hub world visually but also offering an almost identical interaction experience.

Funko Fusion’s Factory Feels Ripped Straight From Classic LEGO Games

LEGO Didn’t Always Have Massive Open-Worlds to Explore

Currently, a major appeal of LEGO games lies in the vast, immersive worlds constructed by Traveller’s Tales. For instance, in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, players can traverse nearly every renowned planet from the series, while LEGO Marvel Super Heroes offers a tour of all New York City. Similarly, LEGO The Incredibles allows exploration of Municiberg and New Urbem, and LEGO Dimensions grants freedom to explore some of the most popular intellectual properties. Collectively, these features create an exhilarating gaming experience. Yet, this wasn’t always the case.

In earlier LEGO games like LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, the main worlds were typically limited to a single structure or location. These hubs were divided into sections by doors or boards, each one leading to different levels based on the adapted movies. The hubs also included the character creator, minikit display room, red brick shop, and a place to buy characters. As players advanced, more characters would start appearing in these hub areas, casually wandering its corridors.

Funko Fusion’s Factory Delivers a Similar Experience to Those Old Hubs

As a fan, I found that unlike contemporary LEGO games, Funko Fusion doesn’t offer an expansive open-world environment. Instead, the game’s heart lies in the Factory, which serves as our central hub. Each level of this Factory is themed around and dedicated to one of the game’s worlds. There are five doors on each floor that lead to different levels. Additionally, you’ll find power-up machines, a character selection area, and secret nooks and crannies here and there.

If it strikes a chord, it’s probably due to its strong resemblance to how LEGO games functioned in the past. In essence, the structure of the Factory appears to have been plucked directly from titles like LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, with minor variations such as the absence of minikits or red bricks. Furthermore, characters don’t stroll around the corridors and there’s no option to design a custom character. However, aside from those discrepancies, the rest of it feels remarkably similar.

The design of Funko Fusion’s hub world might not match up with fans’ expectations, considering that numerous franchises could have flourished in large, open-world environments like LEGO games typically offer. Nevertheless, the Factory offers a charming touch of nostalgia for players who miss the feel of how earlier LEGO games were played. It may just be the kind of gameplay those gamers have been yearning for.

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2024-09-19 23:34