Funko Fusion review

Funko Fusion review

As a longtime collector of Funko Pops and an ardent lover of all things geeky, I was beyond excited when I heard about Funko Fusion – a game based on everyone’s favorite bobble-headed figures. However, after diving into this vibrant world filled with iconic characters from various franchises, my enthusiasm quickly fizzled out like an old Pop vinyl left in the sun.


In my geeky enthusiasm, I find great joy in amassing and showcasing quirky collectibles around my home, and when I have some extra pocket money, there’s no shortage of options to buy. One of the most iconic and beloved items is the Funko Pop vinyl figure, with their oversized heads and beady eyes available in a multitude of shapes and sizes that cater even to the pickiest pop culture aficionados. Over the years, numerous video game-themed Funkos have been released, but until Funko Fusion, there wasn’t a video game based on these beloved figurines. With several popular nerd franchises and bobblehead characters to choose from, it could be the ultimate crossover game, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to expectations.

In the wake of an assault by a malevolent purple intruder, the realm of Funko Pop figurines finds itself in peril. The valiant figurehead of the Funkos (Freddy), crippled and confined within the factory, awaits rescue while the crown that wields the kingdom’s power remains unaccounted for. As a renowned character among the community, it falls upon us to burst through themed landscapes, unearth collectibles, and ultimately save the day for all vinyl figure enthusiasts.

Funko Fusion review

Before you’re introduced to this scene, your initial task is selecting your inaugural character, which will open up your first themed world. For some, this choice might be quite challenging due to the appeal of Battlestar Galactica, Scott Pilgrim, and The Thing characters. These are only a few examples from Funko Fusion’s extensive roster, each offering unique weapons and abilities that add to the intrigue.

Fundamentally, Funko Fusion is a third-person shooting game, unique for its cast of large-headed, plastic characters. Shooting with your chosen weapon and hitting targets is fine, but you might find the battles increasingly challenging as hordes of identical, generic enemies rush towards you, leaving you feeling quickly overpowered. Melee attacks can offer some assistance during these situations, yet even at the game’s outset, you’ll sustain a considerable amount of damage, especially if you’re playing by yourself.

In Funko Fusion, when you’re not battling antagonists from popular culture, you’ll find yourself navigating subpar stage designs inspired by pop culture. These stages often present a main goal, which usually involves crafting items and may lead to frustration due to minimal guidance on the next steps. Crafting is a significant aspect of the game, and in The Umbrella Academy setting, it might be a gramophone to lift spirits, while in Jurassic World stages, it’s more likely to be a battery for opening doors. This cycle of solving basic puzzles to reach objectives or collectibles will be a recurring theme throughout your adventure.

Funko Fusion review

If you enjoy hunting for every sparkling item in your video games, Funko Fusion offers just that. Each level offers numerous silver crowns to accumulate which unlock hidden characters, and a multitude of pop culture artifacts that NPCs in the central hub world will appreciate receiving from you. Not all items can be gathered on the initial playthrough; some require specific characters from other worlds to obtain, much like the LEGO games.

It’s disappointing that in a game with numerous intriguing characters, it often doesn’t seem worthwhile to switch between them, as they generally play quite similarly. There are rare instances when a unique character like Alison appears, who can persuade others to help her by manipulating their actions (such as moving aside for a door or handing over a key item). However, most characters mainly differ in the types of guns they carry. I wish I had known how to identify which characters possessed abilities before unlocking my first world, because my initial Hot Fuzz-themed journey didn’t provide me with any beneficial resources and prevented me from revisiting earlier levels for a while to collect additional items.

The primary concerns I’ve encountered while playing Funko Fusion revolve around its lack of creativity and vibrancy, which is compounded by some frustrating and repetitive issues. One of these problems is that various types of enemies become immune to specific damage types without any logical explanation. As a result, you may find yourself continuing to attack them only for their damage numbers to cease, forcing you to engage in melee combat to inflict damage. This issue is more prevalent with bosses, who often employ this tactic even more frequently. Given the length of time required to defeat these bosses and the resulting frustration, they are arguably the least enjoyable part of the entire gameplay experience.

Funko Fusion review

Although it would be less of an issue if the game was simply more fun to play, the fact that the world’s inspired by massive franchises feel so soulless is truly a bummer. I shouldn’t be walking around The Umbrella Academy itself trying to work out whose bedroom is whose, it should be an obvious discovery that brings joy to a fan’s heart. Jurassic World stages shouldn’t be generic unrecognisable jungles you get lost in because there are no landmarks; they should be full of references and familiar scenes. There are admittedly some more standout stages too, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Even the cutscenes struggle to capture the silly fun that the LEGO titles so often managed (although they absolutely attempt to) and the fact they can’t be skipped on repeat playthroughs is another problem entirely.

As a gamer, I’ve got to be honest: Funko Fusion wasn’t exactly a blast to play from start to finish. It’s the kind of game that diehard fans and collectors will appreciate, finding joy in its vast array of characters from movies, TV shows, and video games. However, for the average gamer like me, it fell flat.

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2024-09-13 11:16