REVIEW: 40019 Brickley the Sea Serpent

[SilentMode]

So I began writing this review, and then I realised there was a little problem... This set shouldn't be confused with the newer 3300001 set (simply called Brickley), currently being given away at the Bluewater Lego store, of a much larger and more detailed Brickley. I certainly noticed when I'd compared the number of parts in each set.

By the way: feel free to add your own reviews of sets I've reviewed, because I'm sure to have missed something important along the way. I'm not some world-class authority on reviews or sets by any stretch.

Brickley the Sea Serpent

Set 40019

# of parts: 59

# of minifigs: 0

RRP: GBP 2.99

Links: Brickset

This is Brickley: a beloved sea serpent and one of the last remaining specimens in the world of Lego. I don't normally buy polybag sets of any kind, but I was inspired to purchase this one after a brief chat session with a designer from Lego over on Bricklink. They mentioned they worked on Brickley, although I think they meant the newer one rather than this one.

After seeing there doesn't appear to be a review of this set, I thought I'd add a quick one.

The bag

The back of the bag gives you a preview as to what parts lie within. From the outset we're expecting a lot of green.

We're reminded that this bag poses a hazard to children and babies.

I SAID THIS BAG POSES A HAZARD TO CHILDREN AND BABIES!

The contents

Just from the feel of the bag, and the amount of space inside it, we know there aren't going to be many parts inside. But let's have a look at what parts we do have...

As is customary, here are all those valuable Green parts - including Dark Green cheese slopes at the bottom. I didn't think anyone still used those printed eye bricks.

Stars of the show?

These are the parts to look out for in my book... just a shame there's not that many Green cheese slopes.

The build

Very unusual about the instructions in this set is that there are no ads or promotions. This really must be a special set!

The build itself isn't difficult at all - although with all those Green elements, and several pieces being added at once with each step, you might miss something. Shouldn't be too hard to get back on track, however.

I got to here in the build, before realising I'd left out two of the slopes in the neck:

Let's fix that.

With the head completed, it's time for Brickley to show its moves.

The rest of the body - three tail segments - are extremely simple builds. The best part about this, given that all the parts are separate, is that you can position Brickley any way you want.

Leftovers

Just a few pieces, as we would expect from a small polybag set. It's a shame there wasn't an extra Green cheese slope; those are just as likely to be lost.

Fun with the set

"Yee-haw! I done shot me a Brickley!"

Viewer discretion is advised.

The verdict

Brickley is definitely a model for the kids, which is a little more advanced than some other polybag sets I've seen (such the ghost/bat one for Halloween), so I'd imagine they'd be fans of this set. I would also imagine, for some people, that Brickley has some sentimental value. It wouldn't hurt to have one of these in your collection, even as miscellaneous parts.

Design: 8/10

For the relatively small number of parts, Brickley is very well designed.

Build: 9/10

Brickley is also very easy to build; just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and try not to get distracted.

Parts: 8/10

Just about every part has a purpose, even those printed eye bricks. There isn't anything here that knowingly jacks up the price.

Playability: 6/10

Besides positioning the body parts on surfaces, there's not much you can do with Brickley - although there's room for creativity.

Price: 8/10

Not quite the perfect price, but affordable and reasonable value (given that Green and Dark Green seem to come at a premium).

Based on these scores I'd give this set an 8/10, and one of these:

(my new and pretentious badge for sets and things that score 8 and above.)

Thanks for reading another review. And no, we didn't actually kill Brickley. See?

Um... Brickley?

Edited April 29, 2012 by Rufus
Indexed

[Roger Rabbit]

Great review (as always) of a cute little set, shame I missed out on it, when was it availible??

[SilentMode]

Great review (as always) of a cute little set, shame I missed out on it, when was it availible??

This one's still available in Lego stores, in the UK at least. But thank you.

[lorax]

Really cute set. I wish I had seen it for sale here, its parts are perfect for landscaping.

[Roger Rabbit]

This one's still available in Lego stores, in the UK at least. But thank you.

Oh wow - that's great, thank you!! Must keep an eye out for this when I pop over to Milton Keynes (I think..) on brick friday thanks again.

[Roger Rabbit]

While I never made it to Milton Keynes, I picked one of these up at the New York Lego Store in Times Square and am very happy with this little set. Can't beat a little bit of harmless fun and a throwback to childhood with a Lego set.

[just2good]

Nice review, 'SilentMode'!

I've seen this set at my two nearest LEGO stores in Florida. I think it goes for around $5 or $6 USD, which seems like a bit too much for a polybag.

[harakiri]

Another great set that I can't get (in Germany ...). Why is it so hard to make these nice polybags available on the old continent?

I guess ordering parts is the answer ...

Great review!

[Solitary Dark]

I picked one of these up in December at the Glendale California store for my Son - It's a great set with some nice green pieces.

What my son likes most of all though is being able to pose Brickley in almost any position, just as you have in your review, SilentMode.

His Brickley regularly fights Gladiators, Vikings and Spartans!

[The Blue Brick]

I picked this up at the Natick store mainly for the green cheese. Anyway, excellent review.