Masterbricker321 Posted December 31, 2011 Personally, I think this theme is garbage. Mini Figures should have been added, but that is my opinion. This theme is good for buildings though. Something Lego City is lacking on. Great review. If i ever buy this set, I will fix it up. MasterBricker approved Haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slovakiasteph Posted December 31, 2011 Sigh... I think I was hoping I wouldn't like the Friends theme... my LEGO money is stretched thin as it is, and I can't get all the sets I want before they retire. This doesn't help! I think the figs are cute, although the minifigs look very odd next to the two. Not sure if I'd ditch the dolls and use the pieces in my town or keep the Friends sets separate... if I can't hold myself back, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks for the great review SilentMode. I really think LEGO has struck the right balance with this line. It's still very much construction-oriented (the build looks on par with LEGO's other lines and there are no big specialised pieces) and the 'girl-orientation' mainly comes from the great new accessories and a really appealing colour scheme. Over the next few days I will be reviewing not just one but six of the eleven sets in the new, somewhat controversial Friends theme aimed at the girls market. Great plans. You get four of each shape in the set, for a total of 20 new flower parts. However, for some strange reason, these are all counted as one part. I guess because they (will) always come as a little package no matter which of the parts is included in the set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Yellow Brick Posted December 31, 2011 Thank you for this fantastic review SilentMode! I'm actually very impressed with the friends theme (Mostly for the rare colours and pieces) Not too interested in the figures thought, still can't see why normal figures couldn't have been used in these sets . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miss Kyle Posted December 31, 2011 Great review, SilentMode! I always enjoy reading your postings :) I do have a very special opinion on all the pinkness, but I think as long as the Friends sets get girls into Lego and into making use of their imagination, why not enjoy it? All the new flower parts make my Poinson Ivy minifig squeal with anticipation, and the colourful pieces are awesome for comic MOCs. Thanks for the in-depth impression! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petamas Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks for the nice review, I'm really looking forward to the other sets' reviews! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Solitary Dark Posted December 31, 2011 My daughter nearly picked up a couple of the smaller sets the other day but went for Moshi monsters on the DS instead. I'll be buying one of these at least for me for the colours though. And all those tree parts. Really good review too - Love the last photo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentMode Posted December 31, 2011 Thank you guys for the feedback again, and I should also give props to the teachers who offered their criticism and advice. I've just taken photos of the next set to be reviewed, but I've realised there's 14 released sets at the moment. There may even be more! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiderSpaceman Posted December 31, 2011 All the new flower parts make my Poinson Ivy minifig squeal with anticipation... Oh, genius! I was singling out the rose for the obvious (non-mr. freeze) intended use of this piece (Beauty and the Beast), as well as for some Stephen King Dark Tower MOCing (God, I'm a dork), but I never woulda thought of Ivy. Thanks for a great review SilentMode! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiderSpaceman Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) oh, also, of the theme accessories in general, I can't believe they haven't packed a spatula with spongebob yet. hope we can get a metallic recolor of some of the kitchen gear. ...I can't get all the sets I want before they retire... I'm (loosely) sticking to 3 themes this year already got as much as I need from other 2012 themes before 2012 officially starts (2 smallest dino sets, a haul of new ninjas, forest police station, garbage truck, camper), so I think I can direct my whole year's lego budget to collectible minifigs, LOTR and Superheroes - but I'm gonna allot a little bit for straying, and friends is gonna be the first thing to tap into that. I'm a sucker for the new colors. Whatever postproduction resale price hikes may come in the future, they can't come back to bite your rear nearly as bad as the short lived and glorious previous Batman theme. ... I really thought those posts would automatically combine. Sorry for the two in a row Edited December 31, 2011 by SpiderSpaceman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petamas Posted December 31, 2011 Oh, genius! I was singling out the rose for the obvious (non-mr. freeze) intended use of this piece (Beauty and the Beast), as well as for some Stephen King Dark Tower MOCing (God, I'm a dork), but I never woulda thought of Ivy. Thanks for a great review SilentMode! Well, if I'd have to combine the rose and the glass piece, I'd build a "Le Petit Prince" MOC. Seems different minds work in different ways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flobnomdob Posted December 31, 2011 This review told me everything I need to know about this set- A must-buy! I haven't checked yet, but it seems those flower parts only come in red. When you say it's a very tight fit on a flower base part, is it because it's badly designed, or because they're intended for the side-of-a-clone-helmet-size headgear accessory hole (Someone needs to come up with a name for that.)? I think it should have been designed better. Also, are the Friendsfigure's arms and head pins thick enough for a minifig hand to grab them? That'd make the set even more exciting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentMode Posted December 31, 2011 I haven't checked yet, but it seems those flower parts only come in red. When you say it's a very tight fit on a flower base part, is it because it's badly designed, or because they're intended for the side-of-a-clone-helmet-size headgear accessory hole (Someone needs to come up with a name for that.)? I think it should have been designed better. Also, are the Friendsfigure's arms and head pins thick enough for a minifig hand to grab them? That'd make the set even more exciting! Good news, they're not just in red. More on that to come... The flower heads were meant to fit onto stalks, but it can be a little tricky to fit them - mainly due to the flexibility of the stalks. The first time I tried I almost lost a piece, but it got easier. The arms make a very loose connection with minifigure hands, but the neck can be gripped. Strange, that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leela Posted December 31, 2011 One of my most favorite sets from this theme. I always wanted a tree house for myself but even without a house I spent hours on a tree :) The tree house is great, I’m glad there are no <insert that tiresome argument> parts. The bird and bird house – so sweet. The kitty is cute but too cartoony, I prefer standard Lego cats or the Belville one. Absolutely love all the new flowers. New colors are great but I wouldn’t mind more neutral colors. Fortunately this set can easily be turned into more neutral one just by changing some colors and then putting it in a City setting which is what I’m going to do. The minidolls are cute but I find their limited articulation (wrists especially) disappointing. Love the hair. At first I thought that I’ll just scalp them and replace with minifigs but they’re growing on me... I’m going to buy most of the Friends sets. Thanks for the great review and waiting for more :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks for this review 'SilentMode', actually I'm impressed with this design which I feel leans more towards Creator than anything else. Many of those parts in new colours will be very handy, pastels can be nice in a few modulars. The minidoll figure isn't as bad by appearances as some might think, at least the hair pieces are swappable ! Brick On Review On 'SilentMode' ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aanchir Posted December 31, 2011 Animals Also included in this set is a very "feminine" kitten, along with a bird that sits in a birdhouse. I didn't even realise there was a bird in the set until taking this picture. Incidentally, could you show a picture of these animals next to a classic minifigure, or next to more traditional LEGO animals like the new police dog or the Belville kitten? I want to have a good idea what size they are. I think the kitten piece could very easily be used in other themes if it were given a simpler, more "minifig-like" face print with black dot eyes with white sparkles. The bird might be a bit large for most applications, however. Personally, I think with its simpler design the new cat is arguably more "minifig-like" than the Belville one, which has loads more detail than other minifigure animals like the police dog, horse, and cow. Admittedly, though, the new cat is much more rounded than any of these minifigure animals, but so is the Belville kitten. One wonders what a dedicated LEGO System kitten would look like if one were ever to appear. Anyway, great review! This is a very nice set design. The number of flowers, bugs, and other ornaments is a bit overwhelming when they have to be spread across a set so small, though. I look forward to more Friends reviews-- it's possibly the best girl-oriented theme in my lifetime (and yes, that includes Paradisa, which was often awfully sparse and <insert that tiresome argument> compared to other sets of the early- to mid-90s). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentMode Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) Incidentally, could you show a picture of these animals next to a classic minifigure, or next to more traditional LEGO animals like the new police dog or the Belville kitten? I want to have a good idea what size they are. I think the kitten piece could very easily be used in other themes if it were given a simpler, more "minifig-like" face print with black dot eyes with white sparkles. The bird might be a bit large for most applications, however. (Still don't like that cat.) Edited December 31, 2011 by SilentMode Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted December 31, 2011 I say the cat comes from the same breeder as Bob The Builder's cat ! Anyway, at least these animals do fit in the Lego City world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickviller Posted December 31, 2011 Great review 'Silentmode'! The set seem to be really good for girls, and a decent parts pack. But I just can't see myself buy such a set (because it is aimed at girls ) Also with all those small insects in that tree it would be eaten within three days Someone should call the insect killer to deal with those! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dunamis Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks for the detailed review. Looking forward to these sets coming to the States as I will be getting them for my daughters. Also looking forward to your other Friends sets reviews! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
romdam Posted January 1, 2012 I say the cat comes from the same breeder as Bob The Builder's cat ! Anyway, at least these animals do fit in the Lego City world. They do not fit in the Lego city world. They are too cartoony. I'll prob be the only one voting these sets "poor" but oh well. Everyone loves these things for their "daughters".If not for their "daughters", they are buying them just for themselves for parts, which I did not think the "target" audience was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobskink Posted January 1, 2012 This looks like e good attempt to rival with Polly Pocket. I'm not really intereted, only scared, that this could be a first step to change minifigures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
romdam Posted January 1, 2012 This looks like e good attempt to rival with Polly Pocket. I'm not really intereted, only scared, that this could be a first step to change minifigures. It won't change the minifigs. This is just for the girls line. The "research" they did said girl do not like the regular minifigs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esurient Posted January 2, 2012 Hopefully TLG will bring over the friends' hair and accessories to regular minifig sets. TLG has been reusing hair pieces on minifigs for sometime now. I think it's time for a change in hairstyle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ondra Posted January 2, 2012 6 girl vote for Above Average :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: Very childish opinion.This theme is best for long time, I vote outstanding because something as this set I miss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
