Ferrik

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Posts posted by Ferrik

  2. Posted

    The Robo Riders was a very short-lived theme. But does this mean that this theme was really that unpopular? Well you'll soon find out by reading this review of...

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    Introduction

    The Robo Riders theme came out in 1999 to replace the Slizers theme. When it was discontinued in 2001 with only seven official sets ever released, it was replaced by the present Bionicles theme. So was the theme discontinued due to a lack of popularity or were the sets actually quite good? Well... first impressions are always wrong, right? :look:

    Set Information

    Name: Power

    Set Number: 8514

    Theme: Technic; Robo Riders

    Year: 2000

    Minifigures: 0

    Pieces: 32

    Price: $USD6

    Links: Brickset, Bricklink, Flickr

    Canister

    This set comes in a canister similar to the Bionicle sets, but this canister is round whereas the Bionicle ones are more ovoid/ lemon-shaped. The Robo Rider of this set is in a nice position, showing off its weapons. In the background you can see the wrecking ball of a crane and some kind of dark grey city. I think this canister looks great as it's simple and not too cluttered.

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    On the back of the canister, on the left there is a list of the other Robo Riders and a demonstration of one of the play features in the middle. On the top right there is also a small blue oval which reveals a code when exposed to cold temperatures. This code is supposed to be for a Robo Riders game.

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    Here's a close-up of the different sets in this sub-theme. As you can see, all of these sets are named after some element: lava, swamp, frost, etc. That's why this set is just called "Power".

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    The lid of the canister might look quite simple, but it's actually quite interesting. I'll show you something about the lids later.

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    Parts

    This set only has a small amount of parts: 32. However, there are two rare parts. The Technic block with Robo Rider power pattern only appeared in three sets. The 7x2 pin connector block has only appeared in this set in yellow.

    Instructions

    The instructions have the exact same background as on the canister, but without the set information. Unfortunately, my instructions came in a rather crumpled state. :hmpf_bad: The instructions are the perfect size for a small set.

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    Most of the steps in the instructions don't have piece call-outs, but for some steps there are 1:1 pictures with the pieces need for that paticualr step. The steps are easy-going and not at all complicated.

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    Inside the instructions, there's another list of the different Robo Rider sets. This page looks really colourful because each of the sets are displayed with a background of their element. I like how there are jagged lines to separate them, instead of straight lines.

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    There's one alternate build in the instructions, which can be built using sets 8514 (this set) and 8512. If you look closer at the black circle, you'll see that it's actually the canister lid. It's definitely interesting to see that the lid has a different function, other than for closing the canister.

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    And on the back there's more alternative builds, but you have to combine more sets for these. Once again, this builds also make excellent use of the canister lids. The middle model looks wacky with so many colours and a combination of two lids to make one giant wheel at the front. *oh2*

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    Posters

    Inside the canister, we also find a poster. The first side has the alternate model made with 8514 and 1812 on it. It looks terrific with half of one Robo Rider's element and half of the other's, forming an amazing background.

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    The other side has ads for other LEGO Technic sets. Yes, that's right, there used to be LEGO Technic Star Wars. :head_back: You might have already known, but it came as a total surprise to me.

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    This is a close-up of one of the Star Wars ads, the Destroyer Droid. It looks quite a lot like the actual droid.

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    The Set

    From an angle, this set looks superb. I really like the piece with the Robo Rider's face on it as adds character to the vehicle. The piece is printed, not a sticker which is another plus.

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    This is the right side of the set. It looks okay really, but is a bit plain. The colour scheme blends in well though and I like the plasma cannon on the side, because of how simple it is. The cannon is just an orange cone on a Technic connector block, but still ends up looking like a deadly weapon.

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    Now the left-hand side. It looks almost identical to the other side, except there isn't a cog on the front wheel and both wheels have printing here. The front wheel is covered by the cannon, but you can see that the hind wheel has some sort of red and orange printing on it. I would have liked it if there could have been printing on the right side as well to make it less bland, but the designers would have to have removed the cog and found some other way to hold the wheel in place.

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    Now that we can see the back wheel closer, it is revealed that there is some sort of black and red asterix and two lines of three eyeballs, and other things printed on. I'm not quite sure what the printing is supposed to be but it looks brilliant. :thumbup:

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    From the front, the Robo Rider face looks really striking and the predominant colour here is black, making the yellow piece for the face looking out of place, floating on all the black pieces.

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    Play Features

    There are two play features in this set. The first feature utilises the yellow handle near the back. You just have to turn it and the body of the Robo Rider is lifted up and the cannons start to point upwards like this:

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    You can keep turning the handle until it reaches this point. Then the handle can still be turned until the vehicle goes back to the original position.

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    The second feature is the disk launcher. This feature has four simple steps (Pictures of these steps are underneath) :

    1. Slide out the wheel holder.

    2. Pull down the sides of the wheel holder. The wheel should no longer be held in place.

    3. Pull the wheel holder upwards.

    4. Let go and let the wheel fly.

    I think this feature great to have but it doesn't always work. But when it does work, the wheel does fly quite a distance. :classic:

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    Ratings

    Parts: 6/10 - There are only two rare parts in this set and the rest are normal Technic parts.

    Design: 6/10 - For me the design is only just okay. The colour scheme is excellent, but this set still looks a bit bland.

    Minifigures: N/A

    Playability: 7/10 - For a set of this price, two play features is great. The handle for lifting the RoboRider is useful for aiming the cannons, but it would be better if the disk launcher worked a bit better.

    Value: 7/10 - This set is good value for the pieces included and the number of features.

    Overall Rating: 6.5

    This is a great set with a solid colour scheme, but I think there could have been a better design. If you really like Robo Riders then I would recommend this set to you, but apart from that there isn't too much incentive for buying this set. :wink:

  9. Posted

    Agreed Samantha. I knkw who I am voting for as well. I think we should just have a quick lynch, but it will take te at least four townies left, may I start?

    Vote: Phyllis (Superficial Username)

    Phyllis I voted fort you because look at your voting habits. The three times you have voted, they have been for townies. As soon as you saw Zachary close to a lynch, you cha ged your vote to save time, or at least that is what I believe.

    Yes, I do think that Phylli's voting patterns have been strange. I will vote for Phyllis as soon as I can be sure he is the right one to vote for, though.

  12. Posted

    Oh no, we lost another two townies! *huh* This is definitely worrying because if we make one wrong move then we could lose to the mafia.

    Well, thanks for backing me up, Isaac. But I will explain why I can't be mafia to ease any suspicions.

    On Day 1 I voted for Jean, but so did so many other Townies who are now dead. The case against Jean was quite strong but I guess we were all wrong then.

    Day 2: As Isaac said, mafia wouldn't vote for their that close to a lynch, not even to confuse the others. I might have kind of defended Zachary by saying:

    Zachary might not be that active but that doesn't necessarily mean he's scum. We should just be on the look out for him, though to see if he becomes a bit more active and involved. *Aaacchoooo!*

    But I really said that to say that we should not jump to conclusions so quickly and think for a while.

    On day 3, no-one really said too much, me included. And lastly on day 4 I did say that I was suspicious of the people who didn't speak much but I didn't get time to say who I was talking about. Well I meant Samantha and Christine (I had suspicions of her then).

  18. Posted

    The building looks really modern because of the round design and all that white. I like the bridge which connects the two buildings too. :sweet: The slanted roof looks excellent and I agree that having a diagonal road is a great change to the usual straight roads.

  19. Posted

    For me at least, it's not really a question of being "complete". Helm's Deep, for instance, is nowhere near complete. But it feels perfect. It gives you the main structure that you need and the look of a whole castle, and if you like to mod things you can add your own elements to make it more authentic, like the mod that appeared here yesterday.

    Yeah, I kind of get what you're trying to say. Sometimes having whole buildings does make a set feel more complete, I agree. :sweet: But some of the "incomplete" sets with a few different structures, do create a good scenery.

  21. Posted

    I will admit I haven't been playing a very good game, not having taken detailed notes or suff, but my theory for Christine being a townie is simple. She voted for Zachary of day one. Why would a scum vote for their teammate on day one when they aren t in danger of being lynched. Unless it was some sort of complicated plan to make it seem like she was town, but that doesn't appear likely. Although, Zachary did pretty much kill himself on day two with penalties.

    Well that's a good theory you have there and it could just be right. However, I just want to see how the quieter people around here react before beginning to vote at all.

  24. Posted

    There are lots of tools and there is quite a bit of wood everywhere which is perfect for a workshop MOC. Nice rocking chair too. Overall, I think this is an excellent Friends MOC and I'm sure Olivia wouldn't mind having this as her workshop. :sweet: