Funko Fusion Review: A Pop Culture Crossover That’s Universally Underbaked

When a publisher like Universal holds the keys to some of pop culture’s biggest franchises, expectations are naturally high. Funko Fusion promised to unite worlds from Jurassic World to The Umbrella Academy to The Thing in a single, tongue-in-cheek action adventure. On paper, it should have been the ultimate celebration of fandom. In practice, it’s a clumsy, repetitive brawler that wastes both its licenses and its potential.

Developed by 10:10 Games, a studio formed by veterans of the LEGO franchise, Funko Fusion immediately invites comparison to LEGO Dimensions. The difference is that LEGO Dimensions knew how to weave its many universes together, while Funko Fusion feels more like a checklist of brands shoved into a single disc. Each world is visually distinct and full of recognizable characters, but the connective tissue is paper-thin. Instead of feeling like an exciting mash-up, it feels like a fragmented museum tour of nostalgia, where each exhibit looks great until you try to interact with it.

The gameplay loop wears thin quickly. Each mission follows the same structure: fight a few waves of enemies, solve a puzzle, collect a few crowns, and repeat. The novelty of switching between Funko-sized versions of famous characters fades fast when you realize the core mechanics rarely change. The combat lacks impact, the puzzles feel like busywork, and the collectibles require endless backtracking. Fans of LEGO games will recognize the formula, but here it feels more tedious than rewarding.

One of the biggest problems is the camera. It sits awkwardly close to your character, which makes aiming ranged attacks and tracking enemies unnecessarily difficult. In tight environments, it often feels like you are fighting the camera more than the actual foes. There is no option to zoom out, which turns larger battles into visual chaos. It is baffling that a game built around colorful, detailed environments would choose this perspective to see them.

Then there’s the question of co-op. Funko Fusion supports online multiplayer, but lacks any form of local split-screen. That decision alone alienates a huge portion of the intended audience. Games like this are meant to be played on the couch with a friend or a child, laughing through chaos and trading collectible-hunting duties. Removing that element strips away much of the charm that made LEGO titles so timeless.

There are flashes of personality scattered throughout. The team clearly cares about the properties they are handling. Some levels have clever gags and Easter eggs, and the stylized Funko aesthetic occasionally works in its favor. When the art direction leans into absurdity, like seeing a Funko-sized Shaun from Shaun of the Dead fighting alongside a raptor, it can be delightful. But those moments are fleeting, drowned out by sluggish combat and inconsistent design choices.

Performance is another sticking point. The game suffers from uneven frame rates, awkward animation, and a few too many soft locks during level transitions. None of it is catastrophic, but together it creates a sense that the project was rushed to market before it was ready. Universal had an opportunity to craft a new crossover franchise, but instead delivered something that feels like a marketing exercise rather than a passion project.

It’s disappointing because the foundation is solid. The idea of a Funko-powered universe spanning dozens of beloved franchises is inherently appealing. There’s joy to be found in its variety and its goofy tone. But the execution lacks imagination. Funko Fusion feels designed by committee, a game where the licenses matter more than the gameplay itself.

For fans of LEGO games, this will feel instantly familiar but strangely hollow. The collection mechanics are there, the humor is there, but the spark that makes those games feel alive is missing. Without local co-op, smart level design, or satisfying progression, all the nostalgia in the world cannot save it.

RATING: 2.0 out of 5 stars.

Funko Fusion is now available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.