August 16th 2024.
It's exciting news for fans of both Funko Pop! and video games - a new game called Funko Fusion is in the works! From the same creators of the popular Lego movie games, this mash-up will feature characters from a wide range of franchises, including The Thing, Knight Rider, and even He-Man.
Before the pandemic hit, we were used to seeing multiple Lego games released each year. But now, they're becoming rarer and rarer. The last traditional Lego game was Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga in 2022, and the next game, Lego Horizon Adventures, is certainly not your typical multi-platform game.
The reason behind this shift is not entirely clear, but one of the factors could be the increasing difficulty in producing high-quality games in just a year or two. This is especially true when working with established templates.
Another factor that has contributed to this change is the growing awareness and concern over the "crunch" - the practice of developers being overworked and expected to do unpaid overtime just to meet tight deadlines. In response to this, one of the designers behind Lego Star Wars, Arthur Parsons, left to form a new studio called 10:10 Games, which promotes a healthier work-life balance. However, their first game, Funko Fusion, seems oddly familiar...
We've already caught a glimpse of Funko Fusion when it was first announced. While it may feature Funko Pop! toys instead of Lego figures, the concept is quite similar - a casual, gamer-friendly adventure through various pop culture favorites. However, unlike Lego games, Funko Fusion is not limited to family-friendly franchises.
In fact, all the films and shows featured are from Universal Studios, so you can expect to see recent hits like M3GAN and Nope, as well as classic films such as Jaws and Jurassic Park. TV shows also have a diverse range, from Knight Rider and Masters of the Universe to The Walking Dead and The Umbrella Academy. And for fans of video games, there's even a special appearance from Five Nights at Freddy's and Team Fortress 2 in the PC version.
But despite the similarities to Lego games, Funko Fusion brings something new to the table. There is no building element, and the puzzles are tailored to each individual franchise. For example, in the Hot Fuzz level, you'll use a black light camera to uncover clues at various crime scenes from the film. And in order to access different devices from different worlds, you'll need to use an in-game currency at a vending machine-like device.
Some puzzles are non-specific, such as a CCTV puzzle that resembles Watch Dogs, where you trace electricity lines to open doors and activate other electrical devices. Each franchise also has its own unique world to explore, with larger worlds accessible from a central hub. Plus, there are connections between different franchises, such as unlocking a tackle shop in Hot Fuzz to access the smaller Jaws "cameo" world.
Interestingly, Funko Fusion is not the first time we've seen a Funko Pop! and Back to the Future crossover. The iconic DeLorean and K.I.T.T. will make appearances in the game, but unlike in Lego games, there are no driveable vehicles. Instead, the third-person combat seems more involved and violent. While we haven't had a chance to try it for ourselves, the team has cited Ratchet & Clank as an influence, which is promising.
One potential roadblock for the game could be the fact that not everyone is a fan of Funko Pop! toys. However, while their dead-eyed stare may be off-putting to some, it's less of a distraction when you're actually playing the game. In fact, the graphics are surprisingly good, with photorealistic portrayals of Sandford from Hot Fuzz and London from Shaun of the Dead.
Funko Fusion will be available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on September 13, 2024, with a 12+ age rating. We're excited to see how this unique game will turn out and can't wait to explore all the different franchise worlds. You can stay up to date with all the latest gaming news by following us on Twitter, signing up for our newsletter, and leaving a comment below. And if you have a letter or feature to submit, you can do so easily through our Submit Stuff page.
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