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[REVIEW] Legends of CHIMA | 70230 - Ice Bear Tribe Pack
LEGO Ink posted a topic in LEGO Action and Adventure Themes
Greetings Everyone! As 2015 is making it's way here, it has been predated in many regions with the early 2015 wave of sets. As new product is eagerly welcomed to transitioning shelves, I continually find myself wanting just about everything...but only getting a 'core' few sets that make the season stand out. Honestly, I'm usually a CITY fan, strolling by all the other well founded (STAR WARS), and well placed (Super Heroes figure display), collections for a good ol' helicopter. Or new Great Vehicle. I never really got into the storyline of Ninjago, or felt that drawn in by an animal realm, even though I love biology and exploring local nature wherever I go. Then, as a participant in the 2014 Inside Tour, I felt a slight slide in my demeanor after speaking with Sam (CHIMA Designer) and _______* (Element Designer). *I'm familiar with how her name was said, but have no idea where to begin spelling it, so I will do her the justice of acknowledging her wisdom over her label). Sam was more than happy to talk about some of the neat tricks they'd used to incorporate a different level of play feature into the models. I started to take notice of theoretical functionality in the Con'14 snapshots that trickled out this past summer, and then started to appreciate these creatures for the sculptured detail and personality that went into their creation. That said, I feel 2015 is going to be a pretty good year, and here's why: Set: 70230 - Ice Bear Tribe Pack Theme: Legends of CHIMA Piece Count: 75 +ballast Population: 3 Season: Winter 2015 Wallet Request: USD $9.99 The front of the box has what I assume to be standard artwork for the ongoing battle. From an illustrators standpoint, it's crisp, directional, and neatly combines two contrary forces, fire and ice. Notice the position at which the bear on our left is holding his weapon, that will come up later. LEGO Ink, Flickr The back of the box, however, deviates a little from standard detail and function, instead hinting at a greater battle by addition of set 70224. It reminds me of the older design of boxes and peripheral booklets, where you were given a larger picture of LEGO City/Space/Ocean and you could pinpoint how your little set made a difference in the way everyone else could live their day, or get eaten. It's minimal art with grand implications, and I like it. LEGO Ink, Flickr The side. LEGO Ink, Flickr The back of the Instructions. I only find this relevant, not because there's not a young child screaming at me but, because from other early 2015 sets I've seen, the image is themed for the set they are boxed with. The LEGO Movie instructions, for example, come with the Green Ninja. LEGO Ink, Flickr The contents yield 2 bags, 1 Instruction booklet, and a banner [The durable plastic commonly used for sailboards, Mater's Glider Wing, etc]. LEGO Ink, Flickr Within the first page of instructions you will find another new trait for 2015 booklets and boxes. This little logo is printed [at least in the US] as an indication of the growing commitment by LEGO to produce the highest quality product, with minimal environmental impact. I have no intention of listing these details for all future reviews, but as LEGO has made the point of taking things up a notch, I feel it should be dually noted. LEGO Ink, Flickr Our three bears, with accompanying brick built weaponry. I took great joy in noticing that each bear has an individually printed: Minifig Head, Mini-mal Head, Torso, and Leg Assembly. After years of finding standardized Fire and Police packs, not to mention generic Minifig selections @ $9.99 for 3 from LEGO Stores,I was pleased to find something that was more than what it was labeled, a parts-pack. This set has already arrived with flair. Take notice in the printing...The three torsos are all obviously the same size, but great illustration has given the illusion of three different sizes, strengths, and personality of bear. This is something that, either I missed or, wasn't present for previous animals. The golden armor gives a feeling of time honored reverence, contrasted to the somewhat varying fur patterns emoting a time honored war. I mean, he's got iced ribs. LEGO Ink, Flickr LEGO Ink, Flickr LEGO Ink, Flickr That gun/bazooka/BFG I spoke of earlier, here it is again. Except this time we're able to see it at the ready. What struck me about thie particular design is that the butt of the gun can be rotated to appropritely fit an altered grip. Whether or not this is the intentional purpose, I feel it adds to the imagined complexity and functionality of the weapon, should it ever become a reality. LEGO Ink, Flickr Now, one of the items we've all been waiting for...the pizza shooter! This element cound have made 7598-1: Pizza Plante Truck Rescue incredibly less complicated, and potentially cheaper. Though I guess you would have lost the top-feed pizza magazine, but I digress. I don't know who is behind the functionality of the new, long missile things, the stud guns, or this tile cannon, but they have made an art of plastic reacting appropriatly to friction. It may be just me. I'm not expecting a childs toy to shoot more than 12 inches. It says, on the box, that children's eyes don't agree with projectiles, so I think that LEGO is somewhat wise to limit their propulsion systems. To adults, its not the firecrcker we would hope to have. To kids, it shoots better than anything I ever had. The other thing that gets me is it's design. It's not some multi-pieced element that went through an assembly to be able to shoot, it's got no moving parts. While I could only guess at the number of mould breaks this thing has, it's a single injection, [highly] modified 1x4 Brick. And the potential uses go far beyond shooting. Looking at it again, if placed sideways, I imagine it to be a beautiful vent system or possibly a window. LEGO Ink, Flickr LEGO Ink, Flickr Upon completion, we have an ice [pizza] cannon, two fortification walls, three warriors, extra ammunition for BOTH firing weapons, and tribal identification. The only other thing they'd need for continued encampment is food. Then again, the one fella does have empty ribs. LEGO Ink, Flickr Ballast - Nothing fancy, but always useful. LEGO Ink, Flickr As a conclusion, I hope you all have enjoyed this overview, as much as I've enjoyed switching themes. I love my CITY, but I saw this box and didn't hesitate for a moment on the decision to buy it. - For a battle pack, this set [as I imagine the others will as well] includes a surprising amount of interest and value. - $$ = 5/5 - $9.99 for three mini-mals, but with the added value of play features, or spare parts. - Play Features = 5/5 - Two friction fire systems and additional weapons. - As this is my first review, I'm not sure what else to judge on, but I am thoroughly enjoying it, and my kids have not hesitated in making sure it's well used.