ThroughFunko Fusion, many pop culture enthusiasts are finally getting their chance to check out some of their favorite IPs in the video game space:Shaun of the Deadfans get to explore fan-favorite locales;Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Worldfans finally get to test their mettle against Ramona’s evil exes;The Umbrella Academyfans get to fight their way through every season of the show; and even fans of franchises such asKnight RiderorJawsget their time to shine. However, while this has made for a unique experience, the wayFunko Fusionexplores said franchises may not be for everyone.
Unlike some other movie tie-in games,Funko Fusiondoes not follow the plotsof these films exactly. There are nods and elements to those story beats but, because it is a multiversal adventure, the actual stories often do not resemble their film counterparts. This means that fans get to experience something new within their favorite IPs, yet they also do not really get to play through the stories they have grown to love over the years, and that may push some away from this wild adventure.
Funko Fusion’s Story May Not Be What Some Players Were Expecting
Funko Fusion Does Something Brand-New with Its IPs
Funko Fusionfollows the rivalry betweenFunko’s mascot Freddy Funkoand his archnemesis Eddy. Eddy wishes to cause havoc across the multiverse, so he does just that. He heads into the game’s seven main worlds to disrupt them, and it is up to the player to stop him. They must head into these worlds, take control of one of the many iconic characters that call it home, and beat back all of Eddy’s allies across five levels. Then, once they get to the final level, they must defeat him and steal his crown. Once that is done, they must do it all over again in the next world.
Because of this story, the adventures that players go on withinFunko Fusion’s many franchisesseldom follow that IP’s story. Instead, players get a sort of speedrun version of it, where they can experience the franchise’s greatest hits while Eddy causes all sorts of mayhem around them. While it may not be exactly what they expected, that blend can actually be a lot of fun as it is taking these iconic stories and turning them on their head. So, players do not really know what to expect, which can lead to all sorts of unique surprises and memorable moments.
Some Players May Have Wanted to Experience those Franchises' Stories Instead
At the same time, someFunko Fusionplayers may have wanted the game to follow more in the footsteps of the likes ofTraveller’s Tales’LEGOgames. In those games, the studio does alter some events to make the stories a bit more family-friendly. But, at the end of the day, they still faithfully recreate much of those stories, making them a treat for fans of said franchises.
Funko Fusionmay faithfully recreate the looks of these IPs through its Funko lens, but the stories often do not resemble their film counterparts one-to-one. That means that fans who have been waiting years to get a video game based onsomething likeThe Umbrella Academywill likely have to keep waiting as they do not get that here. Though those characters may be present, the story being told deals way more with the Eddy shenanigans than it does the core conflict of the show. That goes for every other franchise present as well.
Funko Fusioncan be a lot of fun for players who are looking for a wild crossover collect-a-thon, especially if they are fans of some of these more niche properties. That being said, it may not be as much of a treat for those who were really hoping that these IPs would finally get to shine in the gaming space. Because although they are present, they might not be what diehard fans are looking for. There is a chance some of these franchises will get another shot elsewhere but, as of now,Funko Fusionmay be their only gaming appearance.
