Artifex

I think there's been some good experiences in the last few years: Kingdoms, LotR, Castle... I'd say TLG has enough info on what works and what doesn't Castle-wise. LotR was a licensed theme, and that sells itself, but what worked --or didn't-- in Kingdoms, LotR and Castle will play a part in the next iteration.

This thread should have a poll. ;)

If the next Castle is anything like Pirates, I'd rather Lego didn't release any Castle at all. I don't think we need ONE wave of old sets with new color schemes, or a few very-tiny-little-small MEGO/Kre-o-like playsets.

How come they already got the City Square? Is it because they do reviews? I hope so, because I just NEED this set! And I can't find it in @ lego.com! I need it! Like, right now!

Just got an e-mail saying the early access for VIP members for the Ferris Wheel is open. Anyone getting this set? I think it will look beautiful for display, but with the prices of other sets that I'm looking forward to, I think I'll pass on the Ferris Wheel (it's GBP 149.99).

Thanks for the great review. This set looks awesome! Mind if I stil that Chief Wiggum pic for my avatar? I love it!

It looks really good :thumbup:

Everytime a Lego piece breaks, I spread all my broken pieces over hard floor and walk over them with my bare feet for 10 seconds for each broken piece I got (around 17 right now).

LOL! This looks really funny! Good MOD by the way.

2x4 brick. Didn't do much good to my self-esteem. Trying really hard to loose weight here

NM is looking sharp, LT! I don't know much about cities in your region, but what about some trees?

I'm all synthpop since last year. Here, try some and Dynatron for starters.I'm all synthpop and heavy metal, and my faves these days are Metallica, Alice in Chains, Iron Mainde, Ozzy and Black Sabbath.

It. Is. Totally. Worth. It. Thanks for all the replies, people. I'm 35, by the way, and my wife was thinking about giving me this Legoland day as my b-day present. I don't care much about rides, never have, so it's all about miniland and the stores for the exclusives (thanks for playing that card, TheOneVeyronian!).

I live in London. 'Been thinking about visiting Legoland Windsor, but I'm not sure it's really worth it. I've never been to a Legoland before, and this may sound sacrilegious, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not going to buy any set there that I wouldn't have already bought or that won't buy in my regular Lego Store or toy store, so what I'm asking is if it's worth the trip. Sightseeing-wise, that is. I've been to Windsor to see Windsor Castle, and I loved it, and I do like to go around being a tourist and visiting places. In the 6 months I've been leaving in London, I've been to places that most Londoners haven't been to themselves: churches, statues, cemiteries, monuments, parks, all sorts of historical places, famous or not. I just go around walking or jogging with no real objective but exercising for a couple of hours and when I find a "new" place, so to say, I just go for it. Legoland is not technically what I'd call a "historical place", and it may not work for me as a Lego Store as I usually go to a Lego Store in London or to John Lewis or or whatever (even ebay), so I'm not really sure it's for me. I do love Lego, that's for sure, but I feel I really need some cheering up about visiting a Legoland. Is it worth? PS: Sorry if I sound grumpy. I'm really trying to like the idea of visiting a Legoland.

The Australian Outback is one of my fave X-Men lineups! And your figs look excellent! Longshot looks a little too heavy on the equipment side (and he's very agile), but other than that, I love the figs!

A camera? Close thread, I win?

Wow, what a nice layout! Seems uber-fun!

I know what you mean. I'd have gotten more Robin Hoods too (and Elves!). At the time I thought there might have been a new Forestmen sub-theme, even if they were elves. But...

Sorry, but I disagree with that statement. It is possible for a 10-year old to keep her collection of bricks well organized, just like any AFOL -- and maybe even better. It's just a matter of discipline and method. Kids can really learn that and it's not at all damaging to them. Actually, it's pretty good for them in the long run. If you teach her to keep different bricks in different storages, she'll learn that in no time. Say, for instance, that 2x2 bricks should go in one box and 2x4 bricks in anoother. She's already MOCing, so she'll get that really fast! But that's something you have to teach her. I got some experience with cognitive sciences, and an imaginative, creative kid to whom you taught some method can realy go a long way, well above otgher kids the same age -- not to mention what she can do as an adult. Try it. My tip is to go by category: 2x2 bricks, 2x3, 2x4... All in different storage compartments: Boxes or bags or whatever. If you want her to be very thorough, go for different colours after sorting the bricks as for studs and type (2x3, plates and bricks...). I'm on the side that sorting and looking for the exact brick you want is ery important. Identifying and categorizing are two very important skills. It may seem horrible for us AFOLs, but it's good for the kids. It only seems horrible for us because we already got method, which they still lack. As I see it, you have to paths: Teach your kid method and discipline (separating bricks by type and keeping them organized) or letting her go through the processes of identifying and categorizing while sorting among her bricks. As she is already MOCing, I'd say you can teach her method and discipline without damage. It may even provide her with what she needs to go straight to what she wants do do (MOCing), and mking her aware how discipline can make life easier.

Interesting, thanks for the posts so far. have to say I'm surprised that out of 10 people who voted so far, not one went for the minifigs only! It's either part-packs or both the set and the minifigs. Interesting. That leads me to a different question: Do you army-build out of the CMF? Or is army-building more of a "set thing", and the CMF are hedge knights and the like? That's how it goes for me. I'd buy multiples out of sets, but Castle/Fantasy minifigs from CMF are more of stand-alone characters. Unless there was a CMF footman/archer/x-bow/lancer, the knights are usually "their own thing", so to say.

I've been thinking about something these past 2 days. It comes from the new Pirate sets. I think the new Pirate sets are meh at best. Especially because they are too small and lack displayability (just my opinion, please don't get offended). But the minifigures... Well, the new minifigs are just AWESOME. You can buy multiples and MOC whatever you want. You can even buy brick by brick from different websites. I know you can buy minifigs from the Internet just like you buy bricks, but buying parts and pieces is not my point here. So, what does Castle sets come down for you? Is it the sets themselves, or the minifigs? Do you buy Castle sets for the figs or as part-packs? Or do you buy them for the fully realised set? I, for one, love minifigs, but I also love great sets. It's difficult for me to have one and not have the other. Take Castle 2013, for example. I don't think some of the sets were that bad, but the minifigs... Bleh. I'd rather get Kingdoms sets or older sets, even without minifigs, than get Castle 2013 sets WITH minifigs, for example. What about you? EDITED: I HOPE I got the poll right.

Hmm... I love this review, but some of the pics... err... are not about the Imperial Trading Post anymore

That's great news! I love his reviews, and not only the Lego ones! I few pity everytime he says a set or other he bought on ebay is missing something. So true. so true... XD

Unfortunately, I was never able to purchase straight from Lego as it won't ship to Brazil. I don't know about the cheapest, but I'm pretty sure about the most expensive. In Brazil, Lego sets cost, in average, two and a half to three times as much as they cost in USD or GBP. And it's all taxes. As BRA 1 = USD 3+ and GBP 4+, you can have an idea how much a Lego sets costs in Brazil.

I love this set. My last Castle set before my Dark Ages. I still have it.The Black Falcon Knight was my sig-fig till my Dark Ages.