REVIEW:8963 Rock Wrecker.

[Da Death Star!]

8963 Rock Wrecker

Set #:8963.

Theme:Power Miners.

Release date:Summer 2009

Peice count:225

Minifigs:2

List Price:$44.99 CAD/$34.99 US

Instead of blabbering on about completely irrelevant things, I'm going to go straight into the Review.

Part 1:The box.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_041.jpg

The Front of the Box.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_042.jpg

The top of the Box. Apparently the big Rock Monster has a name, Geolix, Interesting.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_045.jpg

The back of the Box.

The Box is pretty simple, but it does it's job well

Part 2:Contents of the box

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of the bags and DSS(Wich wasn't too bad this time)because I was too excited to build it and I got home Late. But I do have a Picture of the Instructions.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_047.jpg

The front.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_049.jpg

Random Page. Showing the finishing touches on the top part.

The back is the exact same as the last hundred instruction books that had it, except instead of the Naboo Fighter set, it's the new AAT for the SW set.

With this set, the bags were numbered, wich I was quite grateful for.

Part 3:The Minifigs

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_050.jpg

The Minifigs. As you can see, Geolix is gigantic compared to a regular Fig. He's definitely bigger than I expected. The Miner is the same one as in the Claw Digger, so no more pics of him.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_051.jpg

A solo Closeup of 'ol Geolix.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_052.jpg

Left side.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_053.jpg

Back view. This is pretty much the only good view of the Trigger.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_054.jpg

Right side.

Part 4:The set

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_057.jpg

Front view.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_059.jpg

Left side. You can clearly see the Flick missile.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_060.jpg

Back.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_061.jpg

Right side. The net launcher got cut off in this pic, oops.

Part 5:New and Interesting parts

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial...te_file_062.jpg

The saw blade isn't new, but I believe this is only the second set to have them. The T-Bar isn't new either, but it's new to me. The windshield piece has the same explanation as the T-Bar. The Circular Piece is Quite old, but it seems to be making a comeback this Year. The Lime slope is the only genuinely new piece here, unfortunately it ends up stickered.

Part 6:Features

There is a Safe part in the back wich holds 2 Crystals.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial..._review_001.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial..._review_002.jpg

And theres the removable cockpit roof.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial..._review_003.jpg

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Imperial..._review_004.jpg

(Yes, thats a Coffee-maker)

And the rest of the Features.

Part 7:The ratings

Peices to Price Ratio: 3/10

Minifigures: 7/10(Would have been a 10/10 if it was a new Miner)

Detail: 8/10

Playability: 8/10(The Flick missile and rock throwing action work surprisingly well. Net launcher sucks like always.)

Parts: 3/10(Only 4 new parts.)

Availability: 5/10

Design: 9/10

Overall rating: 43/70

Notes:What I thought was interesting was that on both the arms of Geolix, it said 2008 the Lego group. Not 2009. wich means that Lego either slipped one of the tester pieces into my box, or they already had started production on the Summer PM sets before we even knew of them.

(_)DDS(_)

Edited June 1, 2009 by Da Death Star!
Images are removed due to very large image size. Resize it first.

[metalandi]

Take your time, i'm looking forward tot hat! But i just gotta say now already, that the pictures are too big

[WhiteFang]

Kindly resize these images.. These images are way too large, and will pose a problem for those whom are on slow Internet connection. Resize these images to 640x480.

Thanks.

[Algernon]

Also looking forward to your review.

[metalandi]

Please by all goodness resize the pictures!! My computer just almost got frozen even if i got a pretty good one and also a fast connection!

[Algernon]

Oh, my... at first I was considering picking this set up, but now I can see that it is extremely skeletal. The front and side views are both terrible. I'll be skipping this one.

I DO like the rock monster, though. Good review!

[xenologer]

I think the Coffee Maker is the best part of this set.

I really dislike that there's seemingly a hole in the middle of the vehicle (side view); if they had instead left the rear of the cockpit open so there is a passageway to this hole, then it would make for a really interesting interior; just put a bunk back there along witht he coffee machine.

The rest I don't really like, the 4 giant saws are kinda over the top, and I don't like way they are attached.

[Yloquen]

Thanks for the review, but I really find this set disappointing, probably the worst of the whole line. Now, there is some caution when saying this, remembering the prejudiced reaction me and a lot of other people had towards Power Miners before they were released. However, I don't think that is the case for this set. Maybe its meant mostly for kids (haha after all the box says 7-14 :), but I can't give it more than 2/5 (thanks to the rock monster mostly).

[WhiteFang]

Kindly RESIZE these images first. These images are way too large. Please be considerate as it will cause extreme slow download for those members' whom are on much slower connection.

If you are not sure on how to resize, please refer to this tutorial.

Thanks.

[Zuntir]

I don't like this set it reminds me of pokemons or digimons, don't know why. TLC should also throw one or two miners more in such set. I'm definitely not going to buy it. Worst set of whole power miners line.

Nice review but images are way too big.

[The Cobra]

40 Euros for 225 pieces? No way!

Ok, I understand there are a lot of odd pieces in this, including the big rock monster, but that's a bit too much. Still, I wouldn't buy it on sale either, I just don't like it.

[Matn]

I liked this set, actually, I was considering to buy it! It looks so big and great on the box, but in real live, on the pictures in this review, it looks pretty ugly. And it's way too small! It doesn't look impressive, the box is lying. Lying! Thanks for the review.

[BigOnBricks]

I had this set in my hands an TRU yesterday and put it down in favor of Agents 4'Wheeling pursuit. I'm glad I did. It looks much more impressive on the box than when built.

[Dadster]

Thanks for the review.

[The Green Brick Giant]

I think this is the ugliest of the PM line, and the biggest ripoff! That set looks tiny and is $35? How much does the rock monster cost LEGO? $15?

The rock monster is awesome through.

[kaka1987]

I probably just go and grap the crystal king set instead of these....

i have to admit that the box art is lying! damn lying!

i thought it is going to be a huge one....but after watch those pictures....

the width of the machine, not acceptable! look thin and easily pushed by the monster.

and from the side picture.....what am I suppose to do with that "GAP" nothing sepcail , no function.

only few technic brick r used to conncet the vehicle body and the back wheels. simply miserable!

GOD! i am impressed by how awesome the mine sweeper, driller are from the first release of PM.

although i am not a PM fans, i still support TLC by picking up 8961 and 8959.

BUT noW! TLC also impress me by giving a not so complete set~ i feel sorry about that..

[Asuka]

Thanks for the review, Da Death Star!

That´s an a little strange but pretty interesting set... the new rock slugger looks rather cool,

and the vehicle... hmm, it looks a little boring, especially from the side, but still... the coffee machine´s hilarious, and I like

the roof details and the way they did the big rear wheel... and, what´s up with that trans smoke windscreen - is this probably a new part or did I miss something?

Edited June 1, 2009 by Asuka

[puddleglum]

I'm a big fan of the Power Miners line, but this set really seems to come up short. I can't get over how terrible it looks from the side!

[metalandi]

I'm gonna look at the box myself when i see this in stores, i still think it isn't too bad when looked at it from the right angle. Btw., do you have a picture of the controls inside the cockpit, if there are any?

[Lord Admiral]

I'm torn about this set. On one hand, I really want to like it. On the other, it doesn't look amazing enough to be worth $35. I'm not disappointed by the vehicle, but perhaps that's because I don't really have a clear impression of it. It looks nice from the front, actually, but the rear seems a little neglected. It does look taller than wide, which means it might be a bit top heavy. In fact, the picture of the rear makes it seems like the vehicle is leaning to the right due to the net launcher.

The coffee machine inside the vehicle is neat though. I'm a fan of little details like that.

Oh, and don't take this the wrong way, but you might want to consider using natural light instead of flash for future pictures of Lego. Or, if you can, point the flash upwards. The bricks reflect the light of the flash a little too well, washing out the colors and giving off a strong glare down the middle of the picture.

[metalandi]

I just gotta say something about the pictures aswell here, first, this shouldn't be any bitching about them, but i think some of them let the set look worse than in actually is, for some it's about the light and some about the angles you took the pictures, plus the side views don't clearly show the full set. But as i said no offense, i just think that pictures sometimes can make things look different than they are.

[daxflame680]

Am I the only one on this forum that likes this set?

That big space on the side looks like it could be modded into a troop carrier or something.

Also love that new rock monster. It actually looks like it could be a threat to the Power Miners

Still, $35 is too much

[calebexo01]

the rock monster is amazing! even better than i thought! the only downside is the trigger sticking out his back.

the vehicle is terrible! even worse than i thought! the only upside is that i includes the monster

i deffinatly wont be getting this set. i cant afford all the sets i really want so im not getting a $35 set just for an awesome monster. id rather have thunder driller. i might buy the monster off bricklink or if i magicly recieve an enormous sum of money, i might buy this set on sale.. oh well. as long as you are happy with the set, i guess it doesnt matter. thanks for the review though!

and daxflame680, i aggree with everything you said in the post above mine.

[Zenox]

Finally this set was reviewed! Do want!

Wonder why almost everyone dislikes this set? Maybe im just wierd cause i like it.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Zenox

[MrTools]

thanks for the review, but unlike most people here i dont fid this set to be all bad, i like the arrangement of the blades on the front, but dont like a lot of the rest. I most likely will get this set because PM is actualy one of my favorate theams, yes i said it and i plan to get most of the sets excluding thetitanium command rig (i dont want to spaend 100 on one set) but if i do get this set it will definately be modified!