Funko Fusion, developed and published by 1010 Games, takes players on an unforgettable journey through some of pop culture’s most iconic worlds. Released on September 13th for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and now available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch from December 6th, the game combines action, puzzle-solving, and character exploration in a visually stunning package. Whether you’re a fan of Scott Pilgrim, Hot Fuzz, or Umbrella Academy, Funko Fusion offers a thrilling experience full of nostalgia and new adventures. But does it live up to the hype? In this review, we’ll dive deep into the gameplay, visuals, technical performance, and more to uncover if it’s worth the investment.
Worlds of Fun-ko: Exploring the Gameplay Loop
At its core, the gameplay loop in Funko Fusion involves navigating through different worlds, battling enemies, solving puzzles, and collecting a myriad of items. These collectibles are abundant, which is a treat for completionists. Each world is packed with challenges that encourage exploration and reward players for going off the beaten path. Whether it’s scavenging for items or battling foes, the sense of discovery never fades.
One of the game’s standout features is the variety of characters you can unlock throughout your journey. Each character comes with their own set of stats, skills, and unique abilities, making them fun to experiment with and add to your strategy. For example, Scott Pilgrim’s guitar allows him to create powerful soundwaves, and when mixed with an AMP, he can break down barriers or create paths that you can ride on. Alison Hargreeves, another character you unlock, uses her persuasive abilities to manipulate enemies and get past obstacles. Each character brings something distinct to the table.
As you progress, you’ll unlock even more characters, each with their own set of strengths and skills. While some of their abilities overlap—such as combat skills or puzzle-solving powers—many are unique and cater to different playstyles. There’s plenty of variety to keep things fresh, and each new character feels like an exciting addition to your growing roster. Of course, I’m keeping the specifics of some of these unique powers under wraps for now, as they’re best experienced without spoilers!
However, there are some bumps along the way. The core loop of the game hits its stride after you’ve invested a good 8-10 hours of playtime, but this isn’t without its hurdles. For one, the game doesn’t do a great job of signposting objectives, which leads to moments of confusion and unnecessary backtracking. Early on, I found myself uncertain of where to go next, often retracing my steps and re-exploring areas I had already cleared. While this can be frustrating, the feeling of discovery when you finally find your way is all the more rewarding.
As you continue playing, the challenge becomes more manageable. By this point, you’ll have a handle on enemy variety and the puzzle elements, which tend to repeat after a while. The reuse of certain enemies and puzzle types means the game starts to feel a little more predictable, but it also helps you prepare for what lies ahead. In the end, this gradual ramp-up in difficulty allows for a steady sense of progression, and by the time you hit the mid-game, you’ll feel adequately equipped to tackle the challenges that lie in wait.
Funko-tastic Visuals: A Sight for Sore IPs
Funko Fusion truly excels in its visuals, bringing characters to life with fantastic detail. The models are recreated with precision, staying true to their respective IPs right down to the branding details. It’s evident that a great deal of love and attention has gone into representing the various franchises featured in the game.
The game’s pacing may occasionally be inconsistent, but the impeccable level design makes up for it. Each level is a delight to explore, with environments that accurately reflect the movies and TV shows they are based on. The detail in these settings is extraordinary, and the developers deserve high praise for their work. Representing so many different IPs, each with its unique atmosphere, has been a joy to experience.
There’s nothing quite like running through Sandford, chasing a swan, and muttering, “No luck catching them swans then?” to yourself. This kind of immersive detail is a highlight of the game, allowing players to adventure through these iconic environments in ways they’ve never been able to before.
Adding to the game’s charm is its soundtrack, which features music from the source material. Fighting through the Umbrella Academy with “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone playing, or walking through snowy Toronto and hearing “Hillcrest Park” from the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World soundtrack, enhances the authenticity of the overall experience. This thoughtful inclusion of original music adds another layer of immersion, making Funko Fusion a visually and auditorily rich experience.
Popping Performance Issues: When Funko Fails to Flow
While Funko Fusion impresses with its visuals, the game’s performance leaves much to be desired, even on high-end systems. Running the game on a powerful setup with an NVIDIA RTX 4090, I encountered unexpected performance issues, such as stuttering and an inability to maintain a consistent 60 FPS. This is surprising and disappointing, given the hardware’s capability and the game’s nature.
Attempting to identify the cause, it seems that some assets within the game might be overly complex for what they need to be. Even small objects like plant pots appear to be highly detailed, which may be unnecessarily taxing on the system. Additionally, it appears that entire levels are being rendered even when they are inaccessible due to invisible barriers. This inefficient use of resources could be contributing to the performance problems.
Despite these issues, I’ve only encountered one game-breaking bug. This occurred when I picked up an object and simultaneously interacted with another, resulting in my character becoming unresponsive. Fortunately, standing in a fire resolved the issue, but it’s an inconvenience that detracts from the overall experience.
Conclusion: A Funko Fusion of Triumphs and Tribulations
After clocking in 19 hours and journeying from the game’s opening to the credits, I’ve had the opportunity to truly immerse myself in what Funko Fusion has to offer. Replaying levels, unlocking hidden cameo characters, and unearthing elusive secret spots has given the game impressive replay value. But beyond these hidden gems, Funko Fusion delivers a unique blend of exciting gameplay, stunning visuals, and an ever-expanding roster of iconic characters that truly makes it a rewarding experience for fans of the featured IPs.
Exploring the game’s intricately crafted worlds, each with its own distinct atmosphere, is a real highlight. The visual fidelity is impressive, with characters and environments faithfully recreated to reflect their source material, bringing beloved franchises to life in ways we’ve never seen before. From chasing swans in Sandford to wandering the snowy streets of Toronto, the level of detail in both the worlds and the soundtrack elevates the game, offering an immersive experience for both the eyes and ears.
That said, Funko Fusion isn’t without its imperfections. The performance issues, including stuttering and inconsistent frame rates, can occasionally disrupt the flow of gameplay, even on high-end systems. Furthermore, the lack of early game signposting can lead to some frustration, as it results in unnecessary backtracking and moments of confusion. While these issues detract from the overall experience, they don’t entirely overshadow the game’s strengths.
Despite its hiccups, Funko Fusion remains a charming and engaging title that is well worth the investment. The game’s ability to let players traverse iconic worlds, coupled with its rich variety of characters and challenges, makes it stand out in the crowded landscape of franchise-based games. With the developers already making improvements since its release in September—introducing co-op gameplay, quality of life fixes, and a mix of DLC—I’m hopeful that the game will continue to evolve. If the performance issues are addressed and the game’s early pacing smoothed out, Funko Fusion has the potential to become an exceptional experience for fans and newcomers alike.
To find out more about Funko Fusion, including where you can purchase the game. Check out this link.