As a gamer, some of my most cherished memories from childhood are playing TT Games’ Lego video games with my brother. These games were not only easy to play and featured some of my favorite franchises like Star Wars and DC Comics, but they also had a charming childish sense of humor that I found endearing. While I eventually grew out of Lego games and their releases became sparse due to development hurdles with Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, the upcoming Funko Fusion caught my attention as it has the potential to cater to a new generation of players.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to view a hands-off preview of Funko Fusion, and I was intrigued by its inclusion of films like The Thing and Sean of the Dead that you wouldn’t typically associate with a game. After getting hands-on experience with the opening and Jurassic World levels of Funko Fusion, I realized that while this game may not be my cup of tea, it captures an energy that younger gamers, particularly those who enjoy games like Fortnite, will appreciate. Furthermore, if it can introduce players to films like Nope and Hot Fuzz, then it’s definitely a positive thing.
The offbeat and dark sense of humor in Funko Fusion becomes evident right from the start. The game kicks off with players saving a fox only to witness its skin being melted off by Eddy, a corrupted version of the Funko mascot Freddy. This is followed by a battle with a giant corrupted Foxxo, leading players on a quest to stop Eddy and retrieve crowns based on popular IPs. The minimal dialogue in the game is reminiscent of the classic Lego games, which I appreciated.
From the gameplay experience, it’s apparent that Funko Fusion targets kids who enjoy edgier, scarier content like Five Nights at Freddy’s rather than being overly kid-friendly. The game also appeals to those who are fans of third-person shooters such as Fortnite.
Featuring simple third-person shooting mechanics, level objectives in Funko Fusion typically involve defeating bosses, collecting creatures, and crafting items to progress. The game incorporates various machines across levels that players can utilize to create helpful items like jump pads. While Funko Fusion may not become my go-to co-op shooter, it will certainly resonate with kids who enjoy the shooting and building aspects of games like Fortnite.
Funko Fusion is a convergence of various IPs akin to Fortnite, tied together by the distinctive Funko art style. Unlike the early Lego Star Wars games which offered a satirical yet faithful retelling of the films, Funko Fusion takes a different approach. For instance, the Jurassic World level follows Owen and Claire on a mission to save Claire and stop Eddy, followed by players exploring locations and set pieces inspired by the Jurassic World film trilogy. While the game lacks a compelling narrative and the humor may not land for everyone, it’s essential to recognize that its target audience is younger players.
My feelings towards Funko Fusion remain neutral after playing it, as it aligns closely with my initial expectations. While the game’s fusion of popular IPs with simple shooting and building gameplay may not resonate with me, it has the potential to appeal to kids who enjoy the freewheeling fun of Fortnite, embodying characters like Peter Griffin from Family Guy. Just as the Lego games deepened my appreciation for franchises like Star Wars and Fortnite introduced younger players to great IPs like Avatar: The Last Airbender, I hope that Funko Fusion sparks passion and fosters a deeper love for the fantastic franchises it features among young players.
Funko Fusion is set to launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 13, followed by releases for PS4 and Nintendo Switch on November 15.
