Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Posted March 11 To avoid a seriously boring reply on the main Topic. I officially open this thread to publicly express my opinion about what City is nowadays. 20 years Ago LEGO introduced one of the 5 most popular themes ever to replace the trainwreck of a season that was World City. That replacing theme evolved far beyond the limits imposed on its predecessor: -Proper First Wave of Fire Sets -Modern and More Realistic Police Vehicles -Better Part Development for Trains and Planes. -Focus on variety of sets per subtheme. -New Subtheme per year -Notable Evolution on Certain Sets, size-wise, detail-wise... Now ever since 2018 the theme had it's worse era, with some bangers but also some awful disappointments: Police and Fire Sets became more basic and kiddy-ish, excluding detail and prioritising play features. -Certain subthemes died, with it's sets being scattered over other subthemes. Example- Emergency Wave scattered over miscellaneous/My City and Great Vehicles. -Some subthemes vanished completely(Cargo Transport and Coast Guard) and some are brought back partially (Airport in 2023, Race Plane in 2022) -Junior got discontinued and 4+ was introduced in many themes, which resulted in awful remakes of very desirable fan-favorites. -Vehicles are favoured more than buildings, as we've seen this year, and it's frankly the worst 20 year celebration for a theme. 2023 was a year of hope but it went downhill soon. Quote
The Island Chronicles Posted March 11 Posted March 11 (edited) It's definitely different now. From 2024 onwards, it seems like the only redeeming quality about City right now happens to be the great vehicles. Edited March 11 by The Island Chronicles Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 I think City has been doing pretty well the last few years. The vehicles especially have been great. I don't think it's necessary to have any 20-year-anniversary branding for City. The gimmick era of Police and Fire is now several years in the past, and more recent Police and Fire sets have had innovative and interesting builds at good prices. It's not necessary to have every subtheme on a firm rotating schedule, because that doesn't leave any room in the calendar to introduce new ideas or new subthemes. Including smaller sets from some subthemes/content areas within a more varied yearly release calendar keeps content available without risking too much on a large wave that may have some sets that just don't ever seem to sell. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) 38 minutes ago, icm said: It's not necessary to have every subtheme on a firm rotating schedule, because that doesn't leave any room in the calendar to introduce new ideas or new subthemes. In these last 5 years (almost) all we've got wasn't "new", more police, Caravans, Truck, it has become boring. Wow a scrapyard! How fun! Stuntz 2.0, woohoo :/ , big van. A city isn't just vehicles and soapbox cars. A big part of the buildings got discontinued, but no other ideas. Look at Ninjago, Look at friends, look at Technic, all of those themes celebrated well their anniversary and success with incredible models, fan-favourites. All city has done this year is repetitive and boring. But bear in mind this is my personal perspective. Let's be honest, City is the key to city-building, now where's the city? The "new ideas", where the hell are they? 2025 New ideas: -Scrapyard -Lifeguard Vehicle -F1 pitstop, since lego decided to remove them from speed champions. -Artic Train 2 of them are slight variants. 38 minutes ago, icm said: The gimmick era of Police and Fire is now several years in the past, and more recent Police and Fire sets have had innovative and interesting builds at good prices. No Actual Standalone Fire Truck in 9 YEARS No actual fire station in 9 years too.(60215/60320/60414 lacked ) The actual innovative building we got from police was the Academy. The rest was a mix of common vehicles in a different way. The 2021 Crook's Hideout would be amazing with the double rotor helicopter and Riot Truck but got cancelled. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Recent new ideas in City, or at least ideas with a long remake interval: 2025 City Formula 1 line: First playscale F1 sets since 2017 (Speed Champions), since 2013 (City), since 2009 (Racers). First full playscale F1 line in Town/City since 1996. Scrapyard. That's a new idea. Stuntz - first expansion of monster trucks into an arena-style carnie stunt subtheme ever. Soapbox racers - that's a new idea. There have been actual fire trucks in 60462, 60414, 77944, 60214, 60216. Food trucks are a pretty recent idea that's been continuing for several years. The construction steamroller from 2024 is the first since 2009. The construction excavator from 2024 is the first since 2005. The double decker bus from 2024 is a new idea. The robot world roller coaster is a new idea. The cargo ship from 2024 is the first in Town/City since 2011. The gorillas in the jungle sets are fun and new, and the big helicopter is the first chinook-style helicopter since 2016. The Lego delivery truck is the first real proper American-style longnose semi truck since 2011. The carwash in 2023 was the first standalone Town/City carwash since 2007 or even 1999. The skate parks in 2023 and 2021 were a new idea. How about the school in 2022? The ice cream shop in 2023? The apartment building in 2023? The ski slope in 2023? The family house and electric car in 2023? The beach lifeguard station in 2022? If they were now repeating traditional Police, Fire, and Coast Guard subthemes more to your liking, where would the new ideas be in those? There's lots of innovative building in City in the last few years, and a fair amount of new ideas and new buildings. It's just not the blend of content areas that you want it to be. Quote
SpacePolice89 Posted March 11 Posted March 11 I think that 60449 Off Road Police Car Chase symbolizes everything what's wrong with City today. The police vehicle looks like a spaceship and everything is too cartoonish. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) 25 minutes ago, icm said: Recent new ideas in City, or at least ideas with a long remake interval: 2025 City Formula 1 line: First playscale F1 sets since 2017 (Speed Champions), since 2013 (City), since 2009 (Racers). First full playscale F1 line in Town/City since 1996. Scrapyard. That's a new idea. I hadn't deny it. Stuntz - first expansion of monster trucks into an arena-style carnie stunt subtheme ever. Soapbox racers - that's a new idea. Stuntz 2.0 There have been actual fire trucks in 60462 , 60414, 77944, 60214, 60216. Not standalone, also 60214 mentioned but not 60320? Food trucks are a pretty recent idea that's been continuing for several years. Not entirely original The construction steamroller from 2024 is the first since 2009. Magazine gifts The construction excavator from 2024 is the first since 2005 The double decker bus from 2024 is a new idea. 60200? The robot world roller coaster is a new idea. Only New thing out of 2024 The cargo ship from 2024 is the first in Town/City since 2011. About time. The gorillas in the jungle sets are fun and new, and the big helicopter is the first chinook-style helicopter since 2016. The Lego delivery truck is the first real proper American-style longnose semi truck since 2011. 2011? 60151? The carwash in 2023 was the first standalone Town/City carwash since 2007(advent calendar?) or even 1999. 60292? The skate parks in 2023 and 2021 were a new idea. 60200? How about the school in 2022? Friends done it The ice cream shop in 2023? The apartment building in 2023? The ski slope in 2023? 60203 different format tho. The family house and electric car in 2023? 60291, 8403 The beach lifeguard station in 2022? 2017 people pack+coast guard starter set. If they were now repeating traditional Police, Fire, and Coast Guard subthemes more to your liking, where would the new ideas be in those? New police plane, helicopter transporter remakes, standalone non 4+ fire ladder truck, 7206 remake? 4210 remake? Bit off topic but 3182 remake? 7994 remake? 7734 remake? 7731 remake? 4207 remake? 8404 remake? 60154 remake? 7642 remake? 3 hours ago, Powered by Bricks said: 2023 was a year of hope but it went downhill soon. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Magazine gifts don't count, they're not general-release sets. Soapbox racers are related to Stuntz, but they're not the same thing. That's like saying soapbox racers are the same thing as F1 cars - they're both things on four wheels used in some kind of race, but that's where the similarity ends. The first proper longnose semi truck with a box trailer, not used as a vehicle transporter. Standalone car wash. Standalone skate park. We're talking about City, not Friends. Ski resort buildings != ski slope. The other family house and electric car was also pretty recent. People pack + coast guard starter set without the beach terrain isn't the same idea. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) 1 hour ago, icm said: Magazine gifts don't count, they're not general-release sets. However they’re not that hard to find. Those kinds of vehicles rotate between actual sets, magazine gifts and polybags. Soapbox racers are related to Stuntz, but they're not the same thing. That's like saying soapbox racers are the same thing as F1 cars - they're both things on four wheels used in some kind of race, but that's where the similarity ends. Kiddy style range of small vehicles featuring cheap vehicles and a larger set to use said vehicles Stuntz had it’s arena and Bikes No Limits Had a ramp and soapbox, both are outside the common city pattern, both are kiddy-ish and focused on playing with vehicles. The first proper longnose semi truck with a box trailer, not used as a vehicle transporter. Standalone car wash. Standalone skate park. We're talking about City, not Friends. Look at the way city follows the ideas of friends. Ski resort buildings-Shop+ramp same concept, different format The other family house and electric car was also pretty recent. Not a new idea then? People pack + coast guard starter set without the beach terrain isn't the same idea. Small land vehicle and watch tower, it’s the same idea, but refitted into the road plate system The Idea of standalone versions of previous elements featured in larger sets is a nice idea, but not a new idea. Summer or 2024 and 2025: What could be part of a January wave but ended up not being it. So many buildings that city still doesn’t have, or proper reiterations of older sets. People want a cargo harbor, not a dock with a crane mixed with a marina. We want a farm, not a lackluster barn. We want a airport, not a airport vehicle pack. Not every parent is able to gift their kids a 100€ plane because Lego decided to make their standalone plane pricier than usual. In the classic city era, kids were able to play with a smaller but more accessible passenger plane price wise. If it was pricy it had at least a big airport and accessories. They were able to get a standalone ambulance and hospital/clinic available at the same time, without being forced to buy a bigger set to get the ambulance. In 2025 Oh great we got the ambulance, where’s the hospital? Also people wanted a Harbour because 7994 was a great set, but it’s hard to find at a good price, same could be said for the 2009 farm. Some people want a modern version of 3182 as we never had another airport with the same interior details, just a big building with chairs and a luggage conveyor belt thingy. Their remakes weren’t a hit, 2011 harbor, Airport Passenger Terminal and Barn With Animals were everything that we didn’t want. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) 6 minutes ago, icm said: So, are any of the things you just listed new ideas? 32 minutes ago, Powered by Bricks said: “So many buildings that city still doesn’t have”, or proper reiterations of older sets. Return city to it’s prime. Stop the Speed Champions conversion. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
The Island Chronicles Posted March 11 Posted March 11 2 hours ago, icm said: The double decker bus from 2024 is a new idea I'd point out the one from the 2018 Capital City set, but I just realized that you're talking about the fact that it's a standalone bus. Tbh, I hope we see more of standalone buses in the future. So far, the tour bus is my favorite great vehicle. Cmon City! Give us a bendy bus already. Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 "So many buildings that City still doesn't have" isn't a specific idea for something new that's never been done before in City or Town, whether as a small part of a larger set or as a standalone set or, apparently, as a magazine gift. 4 minutes ago, Powered by Bricks said: Return city to it’s prime. Stop the Speed Champions conversion. The Formula 1 line in City is presumably for 2025 only, and City has had a wide variety of racing vehicles since its inception. So, for that matter, did Town. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 2 minutes ago, icm said: "So many buildings that City still doesn't have" isn't a specific idea for something new that's never been done before in City or Town, whether as a small part of a larger set or as a standalone set or, apparently, as a magazine gift. Want specific ideas? -Cargo Center, like the one in the 80s -Post Office -Central Park -Theme Park, not Park Attraction -Lighthouse -Factory Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 If it's like the cargo center in the eighties, it's a long overdue remake, not an entirely new idea. Same with the post office. A nice standalone park set would genuinely be a new idea for City or Town. How big would a theme park set be compared to a park attraction set? If not every parent can buy a $100 airplane for their child, even fewer will be able to buy a $300 theme park that represents the whole park, not just a park attraction. A lighthouse is not a new idea. A factory of some kind would genuinely be a new idea, but it would be tricky to get right. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 8 minutes ago, icm said:The Formula 1 line in City is presumably for 2025 only, and City has had a wide variety of racing vehicles since its inception. So, for that matter, did Town. Have we a theme that’s just vehicles? Every day vehicles in system blocks and minifigure scale? Closest thing is Speed Champions. A bunch of sets 20-something vehicles and ONE building. Just like classic speed champions. Its obvious the F1 subtheme is part of the yearly cross-theme range of sets. 15 minutes ago, icm said: "So many buildings that City still doesn't have" isn't a specific idea for something new that's never been done before in City or Town, whether as a small part of a larger set or as a standalone set or, apparently, as a magazine gift. The Formula 1 line in City is presumably for 2025 only, and City has had a wide variety of racing vehicles since its inception. So, for that matter, did Town. Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Obviously. But that means it won't be taking a lot of City slots next year. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 3 minutes ago, icm said: If it's like the cargo center in the eighties, it's a long overdue remake, not an entirely new idea. Same with the post office. A nice standalone park set would genuinely be a new idea for City or Town. How big would a theme park set be compared to a park attraction set? If not every parent can buy a $100 airplane for their child, even fewer will be able to buy a $300 theme park that represents the whole park, not just a park attraction. A lighthouse is not a new idea. A factory of some kind would genuinely be a new idea, but it would be tricky to get right. So by your logic City never had a new idea? Ever?! Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 By the same logic where you say that the ski slope in 2023 wasn't a new idea because there was a little snowboard halfpipe side build in a ski resort set in 2019. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) 7 minutes ago, icm said: Obviously. But that means it won't be taking a lot of City slots next year. Time will tell, I’m trying to finish a city layout with a modest but not huge budget that can’t cover a overpriced second hand set and it’s shipping because it had either a short production period or a single exclusive piece. But preferably want a similar looking set. I want buildings, but not just me. Can’t we have that at least? Nonetheless modern day city is a train wreck of a theme. Has it’s ups and downs. The later 2010s were bad enough with each building suffering to give focus to the vehicles included. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Alright, now we're getting to the real point of your complaint. You want buildings and City hasn't had a lot of small standalone main street type buildings recently. That's a fair complaint. In my Lego collecting, I've found that it really helps to broaden my horizons by not limiting myself to a specific theme. Are there any buildings in other themes that interest you right now? For instance, I'm more interested in vehicles than in buildings, and in 2025 the nice new everyday kind of police car is found with a small everyday main street type building in the Super Heroes theme. I was able to get just the car and driver for fifteen bucks off eBay. You could probably get the set without the super hero minifigs for a pretty good price. Quote
Lyichir Posted March 11 Posted March 11 I feel like a lot of your issues with City sets could be solved by just... waiting a little. Like sometimes City has more vehicles and sometimes it has more buildings, but the City theme isn't exactly going away anytime soon, and things that there haven't been in a while are likely to come back around in due time. By your own admission you were happier with the 2023 sets—that's only two years ago, barely any time at all for a long-running theme like this that often operates on multi-year cycles in terms of what's available at any given time. I also feel like the complaint about 4+ sets is just nitpicking—it's not like the Juniors theme was all that different apart from the word on the box, or that the number of City sets each year has declined thanks to some of them being 4+. If you're getting excited by contextless leaks and then getting let down when they turn out to be 4+, the easy solution is to just stop putting as much stock in leaks and wait to form judgments on things until they're actually announced. Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 Just as a random sample, I count four or five buildings in the 2009 City release lineup. That's not really any different than what I've counted in the 2023 or 2024 lineups. Can't count 2025 yet because the year isn't even half over. I think if you went through and counted the number of buildings in each year of City between 2005 and 2024 it would be about the same from year to year, although you might be looser or stricter than I am in what you count as a building instead of a vehicle. Quote
Powered by Bricks Posted March 11 Author Posted March 11 (edited) Well, my collection lacks airport material, same as seaside material. Trying to get 7994 is a nightmare nowadays, and 4645 has already started to get difficult. Only proper airport is 3182. 7894 and 60104 are just not worth it to me. Trying to get farming structures is hard enough. I strongly disagree with your opinion about the impact of 4+ as it clearly ruined or participated in the ruining of 2 sets. Waiting 13 years for a Juniors Farm? If Juniors still existed the Design team would just have to focus on creating not so simple but not that advanced models in their theme. And what was wrong with the Juniors Theme? That theme didn’t interfere with others. And it annoys me to have to wait a lot for my most wanted sets, but a little bit to my most unwanted sets. Edited March 11 by Powered by Bricks Quote
icm Posted March 11 Posted March 11 4 minutes ago, Powered by Bricks said: And it annoys me to have to wait a lot for my most wanted sets, but a little bit to my most unwanted sets. I think we can all agree with that, but that's not specific to City or Town. Personally, I think 60104 is the best City airport terminal, but that's just me. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.