Funko Fusion review (PS5)

Funko Fusion by 1010 Games brings together an eclectic mix of fan-favorite characters from across movies, TV, and video games – as do the iconic Funko Pop! collector’s items. The game promises a similar celebration of fandom, combining familiar faces from properties like Jurassic World, Back to the Future, The Umbrella Academy, and Five Nights at Freddy’s into one massive crossover. On paper, this combination of recognizable brands seems like a surefire hit with tons of licensing power, especially with its lighthearted third-person action gameplay and puzzle-solving elements. However, the execution leaves room for improvement…

Funko Fusion is a third-person action game where players explore various themed worlds, each modeled after iconic franchises. The visual style is one of the game’s biggest strengths, as it does an admirable job of recreating beloved characters and settings in the playful and cartoonish Funko Pop! style. The environments and characters pop with color and charm, and each level feels like a miniature playground filled with easter eggs for fans of the franchises involved. However, while the game nails the aesthetic, its underlying narrative feels like a thin glue meant to tie together these disparate universes in kind of a random way, without adding much depth to the experience.

Gameplay is a mix of combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration, with over 60 unique playable characters. Each character comes with their own set of moves and abilities, adding some variety to the gameplay. Certain characters even have special skills required to solve environmental puzzles, which helps keep things engaging as you switch between your favorite heroes. However, despite this variety, the game’s combat system tends to feel too simple and thus repetitive over time. Whether it’s shooting or melee attacks, the mechanics lack the depth found in similar games, which makes encounters feel more like button-mashing sessions than strategic battles.

One of the more exciting aspects of the game is the use of each franchise’s unique elements in the puzzles and gameplay. For example, navigating through the world of Jurassic World will have you encounter rampaging dinosaurs, while Back to the Future levels offer a different set of thematic challenges. The nods to the source material are clear and great fan service, but the puzzles themselves aren’t particularly difficult, often leaning toward simplistic mechanics that don’t fully take advantage of the rich potential these settings offer. This leaves the gameplay enjoyable but lacking the challenge or innovation that would elevate it beyond a fan-service experience.

Unfortunately, where Funko Fusion struggles most is in its technical execution. Bugs and glitches disrupt the gameplay experience, ranging from minor visual quirks to more game-breaking issues. Some levels suffer from framerate drops, and there are instances where character animations don’t sync up correctly or puzzles fail to trigger properly, leading to frustrating moments that detract from the fun as you reload a previous save. Although 1010 Games has been addressing some of these issues through updates, the technical instability is a major drawback and this one needed more development time prior to its release.

In terms of controls, the game is generally accessible, with intuitive inputs that make it easy for players of all skill levels to pick up and play. Whether you’re a veteran gamer or someone new to the genre, you’ll quickly get the hang of the movement, combat, and puzzle mechanics. However, the simplicity of the controls sometimes highlights the lack of depth in gameplay, as you rarely feel challenged to use your characters’ abilities in creative or dynamic ways.

Audio-wise, Funko Fusion stays true to the properties it pulls from, with sound effects and music that feel familiar to fans of the franchises. However, the lack of voice acting for many iconic characters is noticeable, making some interactions feel a little flat. While the sound design is competent, it’s not as immersive as it could be, especially in a game that’s supposed to be a celebration of so many beloved universes.

Overall, Funko Fusion is a charming, nostalgic experience for fans of the various franchises it represents, but its lack of depth, combined with technical issues, holds it back from being what it could have been. The visual style and fan-service elements are sure to delight those who appreciate the Funko Pop! brand, but the gameplay doesn’t offer much for players seeking a more robust and polished experience. With more time to iron out its technical flaws and add variety to its mechanics, it could become a fun-filled adventure worthy of its source material. For now, it remains a game that’s enjoyable in short bursts, but may leave some players wishing for more.

Score: 6.2/10