Developer 10:10 Games has an ambitious title as its first release. Funko Fusion is a third-person action-adventure game that will feature battles, puzzles, and plenty of familiar faces as it features levels inspired by some of the most iconic movies and television shows ever made. From classics like Jaws and Masters of the Universe to more recent hits like The Umbrella Academy and Invincible, there are a lot of beloved brands at play.
Of course, a game like Funko Fusion relies on what properties it has access to and the good news is that 10:10 Games teamed up with NBCUniversal and included some truly inspired picks among the 20+ licenses in the game. While some of the franchises, like Jurassic World, Back to the Future, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, are no strangers to the world of video games, there are plenty of unique ones that haven’t been adapted before, like The Thing, M3GAN, Hot Fuzz, Nope, and Shaun of the Dead. Some of the properties probably wouldn’t make for a great stand-alone game but they do have the makings of a great level and iconic characters and moments to relive, so I have to give credit for some creative choices.
I got to see portions of two levels being played — The Thing and Shaun of the Dead. Both were pretty action-filled, with The Thing, in particular, focusing on third-person shooter combat while also mixing in some puzzle-solving. While some of the included properties, like Child’s Play 2, are rated R, the game is aiming for a Teen rating. This allows for it to have plenty of cartoon violence and allows for the team to be faithful to the properties while also taking advantage of the uniform Funko art style (it’d be a bit ridiculous to see blood-covered Funkos getting disemboweled).
Since it wasn’t a hands-on demo, I can’t give detailed impressions of the gameplay, but I did come away impressed by the overall polish. Graphically, the game impresses, and all the action I saw looked quite polished and fun to play. Another neat aspect of the third-person action-adventure game is that it won’t feature any voice acting, which will allow for the team to have some humorous cutscenes and take advantage of visual comedy similar to the old LEGO platformers, which lost a lot of charm once they started including voice lines.
That presentation choice is not a coincidence, as many key figures at 10:10 Games used to work at TT Games. In fact, the studio was founded by TT Games founder Jon Burton along with Arthur Parsons (former head of design at TT Games) and Paul Flanagan (former studio director at TT Games). I did get a LEGO Dimensions feel throughout the experience, although the gameplay is more action-packed, and you couldn’t have picked a better background for the team. Their display of blending humor while staying true to brands is unmatched and now they get to go beyond the cute LEGO veneer.
The game will have an original story that spans across levels in different worlds, although not much was shown of the overarching narrative. One cool aspect is that you’ll unlock new mechanics and items in each world, which can then be used elsewhere and provide for some unique crossovers. What is also known is that the game will feature over 60 playable characters, which can also be used in the game’s online co-op that supports up to four players. There are also hidden cameo levels, so expect a lot of replay value and secrets from this content rich game.
When to expect Funko Fusion
Funko Fusion is out later this year on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. It launches on September 13, 2024, and those who pre-order the game will get a The Walking Dead pack for free, which includes playable versions of Rick Grimes and Michonne Hawthorne.
