22
The Cartoon Network decided to skip E3 2007, instead focusing on Comic Con to show off its massively multiplayer online game Fusion Fall. It brings the entirety of Cartoon Network intellectual property—from Ben 10, Power Puff Girls, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Megas XLR, et al—together in a fantasy world invaded by some green goo.
That goo transforms the world's ordinary objects, such as tires and barrels, into mutated, less than scary monsters. You'll do the typical MMO whacking, whether it be with an oversized wrench or sword, or blasting with a poppy purple gun, taking out enemies to gain experience. From the hands-on time I spent with the game, it follows fairly standard MMO action conventions.
What sets the game apart are the nanos you can summon, super-deformed versions of characters like Mojo Jojo or Eduardo or Dexter. Each will give you special attack powers or physical abilities that will aid you in your quest, not unlike Phantasy Star Online's mags or other MMO-style pets.
The game also sports a sharp, clean, colorful graphical style that stands out in Western released MMOs. Textures look appropriately cartoony and every avatar shown at Comic Con looks like an anime-like tween. It's infectiously cute.
Fusion Fall is in alpha stage at this point and impossible to judge on its gameplay merits, but visually and conceptually it looks like a solid entry into the market. I signed up for the beta at Comic Con and hope to spend more time with it in the coming months.
