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Set #8078
Theme: Atlantis
Year Released: since December 2010
Piece Count: a lot
Minifigs: 6+, 3 divers, the guardian of the gate , octopus and shark warriors and an old-fashioned skeleton
List Price: too much, 95 EUR
I had to go to Paris last wednesday to attend a meeting. I take advantage of noon time to pop into the only shop in France dedicated to Lego.
What a surprise ! The shop was full of freshly delivered new sets : cars, space police, atlantis, prince of persia, trains, etc.
5 hours laters, most of it has been sold !
I must admit that I bought this box for the minifigs, but I like the overall design much better than in set with the squid (8061)
The box
Though there is no light in this set, the picture on the cover highlights the color palette used for the set (black, gold, dark red) with rays of light coming from the gate. The treasure chest is hidden by the guardian.
As the box is quite big, you can't miss it in a shop. The biggest set in the line.
It has in fact the same size as that for the fire brigade. It measures 54.5 x 47.5 x 8.5 (in cm).
As usual, the back shows some of the functions : The gate can be open by turning the wheel (this tile, it works with gears). The mouth of the shark can close the lower stairs ... rather useless as you can swim around !
Minifigs shoot on the top.
Content
The box can be open properly by cutting two seals on the side. I like the fact that this kind of box can be easily flattened and stored without any damage.Two booklets inside - could have been only one as they are rather slim : I don't mind paying about 90 EUR and getting only one booklet
- , a shameful sticker sheet, 9 numbered bags from 1 to ... 9.
Instructions : cover
Random page
Last pages with 2010 sets
8077 "Exploration Headquarters"
8076 "Deep Sea Striker"
Inventory, and here, the same with a bigger size
Sticker sheet : patterns for shark noses
Building bag 1
Not so many thing to do : minifigs and sharks and a bit repetitive (you have to build twice the same shark)
3 smaller bags in bag #1
What you get. 5 extra parts.
Side view of a shark. The design is a little bit different than usual. The head is build upside down.
The design is not bad BUT
Quality issues again ! I got trouble to put these smooth teeth in hollow studs.
3 out of 8 were too thick to fit. And when you try, the material peel off (See pictures) ! That's a shame ...
I'm fed up to call the customer service and to hear the same tune : "That's so odd that you encounter so many problems, M XX !"
May be I'm a too good client !
Minifigs
6 and the remains of an aquaraider :
The ancestor : Nostalgia, nostalgia !
A real old fashioned skeleton with loose arms. Notice the helmet with aquaraider pattern !
I don't remember that female could apply for that job last year. Times had changed. Girl power is on in minifig world
Deepwaterproof make up. Notice the fly on the chin and the harpoon in the hand. Hey deep sea creatures, Kiss or Kill ?
Gatekeeper :
No words in my mouth (keyboard, in fact). It's better than what you can see. Just look and salivate
His legs and torso are printed, the latter on both sides. Look at his face ... too much thalassotherapy is not good for health
Greatest parts of the set (of the year - hey, you should make a poll on that) : Helmet and armor (pauldron ?)
Front / back
Oups ! It's dawn and I have to go to work. Let's open bag 2 later
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The building is divided into 8 parts, one bag for each.
It takes approximately 15 mn for each part.
You add no more than 5/6 pieces per step, and building instructions are very clear with no color problem between black and dark bley.
You also don't have to finished bag 9 to start playing. Each bag leads to something playable.
Hence, it's really a child's play.
Bag 2
The main entrance and the main staircase.
Some technic parts (links and towball) to move the lower jaw
Completed. No extra parts.
Bag 3
The upper jaw and staircase.
A boat bow brick and some rounded slopes
Completed. You may notice use of SNOT for the jaws. 3 extra parts
Just lift the upper jaw to open the gate !
Bag 4
Apartements : room and office. The gate is inhabited.
Belville arches
Don't know if it's a new map. Who knows ?
Completed. The lower part seems to be a bed. 1 extra part
Bag 5
The upper floor, the gate and its mechanism to close this kind of diaphragm.
Nices colors : transparent blue inverted slopes, transparent light blue tiles, pearl gold rounded slopes, etc...
Here it is. 3 extra parts. Pinned with the main staircase.
The gate closed and opened, revealing a gold treasure chest. Can somebody explain TLG that people moves in three dimensions in water ...
Bag 6
The gate on the left hand side, groundfloor
Parts
Build. 3 extra parts.
Bag 7
The gate on the left hand side, first floor
Parts
Build. 2 extra parts.
Gates put toghether
I can't add more images in this post ...
Go there for the end
Edited by WhiteFang, 11 May 2010 - 04:41 AM.
Indexed and poll added
I really like the dead Aquaraiders Diver! 
Just because it's a new part doesn't mean you have to put it in every set. 
)!
A load better than I thought it would be and the armor is spectacular! 
The office and bedroom are a huge surprise. 
