Funkoverse Strategy Game review: "The ultimate Pop battle"

I was skeptical about the Funkoverse Strategy Game at first. The franchise is famous (or infamous, depending on your stance) for transforming every franchise you can think of into very marketable toys, and now it's tackling board games with a focus on collectible pieces.

However, I was wrong to suspect a cash-in. The Funkoverse Strategy Game is smarter and more enjoyable than you may give credit for. While it isn't going to crack the top ten best board games list, it's a lot of fun for kids and families alike.

Funkoverse Strategy Game features & design

• A mix-n-match strategy game
• Box sets for all sorts of franchises
• Pit characters from any box against each other

The Funkoverse Strategy Game aims to prove that the brand isn't a one-trick pony. It does this by challenging players to the "ultimate Pop! battle," pitting fan-favorites like Batman and Jurassic Park against one another. Well, sort of. Each box-set contains mini Funko figures and a reversible board inspired by pop-culture classics, and they're all interchangeable. That means you can take Joker out of Gotham and see how he fares against, say, a velociraptor. Or one of the Golden Girls.

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No, I'm not joking.

That gives the Funkoverse board game an immediate USP. With the exception of Disney Villainous and its expansions, I can't think of many that can swap pieces so easily.

There are at least a dozen packs available right now, so there's plenty of scope for shaking things up. What's more, the expansions are standalone games that can be played separately – or with your other box-sets. It's a neat idea that remains true to the brand's "collect 'em all" nature.

Not that you need to pick up more than one set to enjoy Funkoverse. This is a decent strategy board game in its own right, with enough layers to keep things interesting over a period of time.

It's very accessible, too. Rather than forcing you to read the multi-page rulebook from cover to cover before starting, it has a beginner mode that simplifies everything to get you going as soon as possible. This is ideal if you feel overwhelmed by chunky rulebooks or you have kids who'd like to start playing sooner rather than later.

Everything feels of a suitably high quality as well. The models are well-painted and posed, for instance, with some being worthy of display in their own right.

Gameplay

• Very straightforward to learn
• Surprisingly versatile system
• Same scenarios over and over again

Almost every Funkoverse pack contains four missions, and there are two for each side of the reversible board. I had a chance to go hands-on with most of the early Funkoverse Strategy Game range, and each one contained the same scenarios: Leaders, Flags, Territory, and Control. Although that lack of variety is a shame, they still keep things interesting. More specifically, Territory and Control force you to hold an area for as long as possible, Flags is about stopping opponents from nicking your flag - all while stealing theirs - and Leaders tasks you with protecting a randomly-selected character. These objectives add spice to what could otherwise be a straight-up brawl, demanding that players think ahead and plan how their characters can complement each others' abilities. Because you can also use cover and sight lines to your advantage (or knock down foes that must then be revived), there are plenty of variables to consider when going into battle.

And if I'm being honest? Scenarios aren't the appeal of a new set anyway. It's all about the characters instead. They can really revitalize the game, especially if you're bringing a totally new character into the fray. The shark from Jaws, say.

More importantly, they stand out thanks to abilities inspired by the films, comics, or TV shows that they're based on. For instance, Batman can use a grappling hook to propel himself across the map, while Ian Malcolm's expertise in Chaos Theory allows him to roll a special die in combat. Because these moves use rechargeable tokens, they must be carefully deployed; once activated, they can't be used again for a few turns. This is a welcome complication and one that leads to some memorable moments.

The editions of Funkoverse I played were great as a result. The standout has to be Jurassic Park, though. It includes four picture-perfect characters from the original movie – including a dinosaur, naturally – and playing pieces designed to look like bugs trapped in amber. Combine them with boards that recreate locations like the wrecked visitor center from the film's climax and you've got something oozing nostalgia as well as fan-service. It's convincing proof that the game's designers are taking this seriously.

Should you buy the Funkoverse Strategy Game?

The Funkoverse Strategy Game is well worth considering if you love tactical board games and the franchises in question. They're surprisingly thoughtful and fan-pleasing in equal measure, giving them enough staying power to make me intrigued by what may come next. Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, anyone?

Ratings

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How we tested the Funkoverse Strategy Game

After receiving a large portion of the Funkoverse range and learning its rules inside out, I tested multiple instalments of the game with different characters across numerous sessions. This gave me a better understanding of not only the mechanics and the game's longevity, but how its mix-n-match approach fares in practice.

As for me, I've been reviewing board games professionally for years at GamesRadar+ but have been playing them in my own time since I was a toddler. This has given me a wealth of experience to draw from and compare products with.

For a broader overview on how this all works, check out this guide to how we test board games or the full GamesRadar+ reviews policy.

If you're in the mood for suggestions, try the best card games or the best tabletop RPGs.