Mazin

Glad to see You working on improvements :) Things can always get better :) Can't wait for updates! And for the cannon, maybe it would look better if it could be changed into someting firing a harpoon or a hook with a line, i mean, this character of Your is surely as weird and cunning as Jak Sparrow so he coud make a use of it. And this way it would look more attractive, as it could be used to either hunt that shark or grab onto some other vessel to ride without a ticker after some larger vessel, if our pirate is too lazy to sail himself ;) Or perhaps an anchor could be useful? It's more than just a boat, so i guess he could park it somewhere. That is if he would be strong enough to throw it into the water and then pull it back ;) But maybe there are smaller anchors in the Lego world that coudl fir Yur set? Or maybe there could be one custom made by You? ;)

Wow, something very original in here finaly:) I like Your idea and delivery, both the fortress, the ship and the rest look nice, appealing AND they do indeed look like something that could come out back in the 90s... but... i have two big issues with it from the very first sight. 1. Yur ship takes attention from the Fortress! What i mean is, since You called it the Fortress i do believe it should be the most important part of the attraction, the Fortress should be something that people would immidiately look at and what they would dream of, not the ship, the ship should be just an addition, a cool looking addition, but still, just a bonus. Like they did with recent remake of the Eldorado Fortress for example, everyone looks at the fortess, that the baby they want, but the ship that has been added is only an addition. So... perhaps You should change the name to make it a double set "Armada Fortress vs the Notorious Raider" perhaps? Or something like that. The thing is that ship is not only big, it's a hurricane of eyecatching elements, it's colorful and got a big pirate crest on a sail... and what can the Armada people offer to fight that visual battle? Their flag isnt very appealing, never was. So the problem is that with it's specifil structure and static colors it's overshadowed by the vessel to be honest. 2. Red as a dominant color for both faction is a bad choice as it blends them together and makes pirate look like if they were spanish militia ;) And maybe that's their goal? Maybe they do want to blend in to reach the fortress. I don't know. And those colors do look attractive even as they are. But, i do think there should be much more differnce between them. So that's my main issues. I'd say that Fortress itself could see a bit of revamping as well. As i sad, it looks very static, I'm sure people would have fun playing with it, but it's just like one big block of white, bulky and tall. I understand that having high wall make this place much safer, but for the good of the presentation, i think it would be better if there was more life and action, play values in it's lower parts and that the whole structure wouldn't look so historicaly accurate". Perhaps You could make it look as if it was still being build? That it's an old wooden fort being replaced by a new construction, where an ancient brown deteriorating palisade meets the white fresh walls? Maybe soldiers could have some defensie positions in the lower part so that pirate couldn't just sneak by the walls and hide from defender's sight? I mean, You have some small windows in thos walls. Maybe muskets could be installed in some of them? Also, as with every big Lego building that's designed for battles, it would be useful if some of it;s walls were destructuble. You know, were a part could be remobed with a click of a button. Maybe there's a secret entrance into the fortess as well? Also that jetty could use some more action, it's looks very simple and maybe that's how it should for a 90s set, but it's not an area i'd call attractive. Maybe there could be a small wall/palisade on it or on it's sides, so that intruders couldnt just jump onto it from the water? And the water itself could be protected by some wildlife, a crocodile would fit perfectly in there as it has this swampy vibe ;) Anyway, those are just my suggestions how i could 'improve", it's still a good engineering work with nice use of these baseplates and modular elements. Besides, we finaly have an Armada Fortress in the Lego Universe! ;) So i guess i would dream about that back in the day. I dont like the Armada faction that much anymore, but it's still part of the Pirate Lego heritage ;)

That's some entertaining stuff You got here! :) Wow, I must say I'm amazed by this design and presentation. Even this minifig, there's so much character in him! Hell, even that sail! I usualy absolutely detest most of sails that are made out of plastic, instead of a babric, but this one is sort of different, and works just fine for me :) I don't realy understand that thing on the front of the boat, not the figurehead, but this cannon or whatever it is. If it's a cannon indeed, then it doesn't realy work for me. And if it's something different, but i can't tell it's purpose just by looking at it, maybe it should be altered or replaced with other parts, to make a use of those pieces and make them all count. Then there's the figurehead. It's funny, it's weird, not sure if i'm a fan of such lenghty hands, and them being armed with weapons. I understand of course that that sword and gun could be easily removed and used by our pirate fellow, if he will manage to reach them first without falling off the boar and drowning ;) But then again it surely grabs attention and no one can go around it without having his/her thoughts,so i guess it works ;) Still it's a pretty cool set and most importantly, it realy stands out of some other small crafts presented in this contest so far.

Maybe so :) But the clipper is more iconic in the lego fandom, if not in the general toy collectors community, so I'm not sure if it they would be happy with drastic changes and this vessel is not as popular, i'd say it's quite forgotten to be honest, but as with Lego... anything can be done! :) And I woudlnt mind getting a new copy of any classic set with such alterations if it would be a way to put my hands on it ;)

Oh, i see You've already upgraded Your design and so i've made a mistake to throw too many of them ;) But i still vote for the bag to go, paddles are more attractive and they bring color into the set. But maybe... maybe one of them could be replaced by a seagull? What do You think, as i proposed before, that he could chase a monkey, maybe a seagull would work even better, and he would use that paddle to fight it off, as she would try to steal the letter? :)

Thanx for responding and explaining. As for choosing those unlucky elements that have to go, it'd say paddles ( if these count as two pieces and not as one inseparable pair ;) ) and a bag. Paddles i didnt even see in Your presentation, i did spot them only now, and since You already have the rudder, i don't thing they are needed. And, as for the rest, as i proposed before, a bag. It's the least exciting element among those presented in my own oppinion. Sword is always a sword, You wouldn't expect this soldier to go on a mission without a weapon, right?;) I'm actually surprised he doesn't have more of them, like a pistol! And the whole idea for this set started with a letter, so i would keep that. And an epoulette is an epoulette, it was always such a cool item to get them, and soldiers without them would look weird ;) So 2x paddles and 1x bag it is = 3x parts excluded :) BTW. If You would be doing an another entry i would start with those pieces that You will decide to drop ;) To kinda make it up to them for their loss ;)

A nice remaster again! Realy great work. But as with Your other entry ( or at least i think it was You ;) ) it;s a way to smuggle the old ship with new parts so that no fans would find out it's actually not the same ;) I woudln't! It requires a closer look to see what's changed in here. And i like it, i lack the knowledge to realy catch all the differences, but You sold it to me. However, as remakes often tend to be altered when compared to the original, i wonder what could be done with this vessel. You've added the figurehead, that clearly visible. And that's already a nice upgrade. Point for you sir! But maybe what this ship realy needd is finding a new purpose for it, ha? There's already a clipper, similarly armed too, in the soldiers' fleet so perhaps this could be turned into a bomb vessel instead? With one bif rotating cannon? Or maybe this could be a salvage ship? Surely pirates sunk so many of them that soldiers need to dive for parts, cannons and treasure laying in the shallow waters? So there could be a diving bell provided and some sort of breating aparatus powered by crew's muscles ;) Maybe that's how they got that chest, ha? And where there are divers searching old wrecks there are usualy shark guarding the underwater grave...

Most impressive! This is so big I can't honestly find reasons to complain or think about ways to upgrade it even more ;) This one offers so many details, that one must take a closer look to actually applaud all the work You've put in here. Like those two swords by the door, brilliant decoration, and that anchor on the side, and a shark... wow. Tho my favorite element might be that rock with all those seagulls and poor soldier... or at least what's left of him. Then i guess bustard surely deserved it, right? It's also a very atypical set, since it seems to be a fun place, pirates could find peace in, but kinda dark at the same time. I wonder if they have some sort of magical powers two, as i see so many of them, but very few weapons to defend themselves with. Or maybe that's the point? Maybe they have to come in here armless if they even want to get in? Or maybe that rock with a skeleton is just one of many others, and they are the force of nature that is guarding this place? Still, with a set this size i could use few more weapons here and there, even if the are stocked somewhere, and there seems to be plenty of space for that purpose. Actually, if i'd have to point out the least interesting parts of this offering, i'd point to the interior. With so much life outside i don't think i'd ever use it. Those beds look nice, but do we realy need them in pirate sets? ;) After all, pirates have plenty of tables and benches to lay on ;) And that part with a prison, this place gives me creeps, and since it's positioned under all those floors that have to be removed, i'm not sute if i'd bother to enter it too often. I'dprefer to enjoy with the outside. And looking on those walls, the way they are build, by the captains quaters, i kinda thought that they're openable or removable from the side. And i truly believe this way to reach interiors would be better. I realy wouldn't like to take all of these floors apart, as i love this whole structure and would like it to stay in one piece. And speaking of single pieces, that jetty area looks a bit neglected. It's visually nice, but maybe there could be ways to bring more playing values into that side? Like a crane perhaps? Or a wheebarrow to carry supplies from the boar? Also that could be were all the weaponry could be stocked. Like few muskets on a gun rack. I honestly love those colors, but I'm weird and i love dark, foggy, Londonish enviroment ;) But... since it's supposed to be something that could pass as a REAL set by Lego, i'd try tro add a bit of color into it. Just like they did with Baracura Bay! It used to be more brownish, had more earth tones in the original presentation, but they turned it into someting with a more classic look. Same could be done with this place. Maybe You could use some parts from richly ornamented captured ships as materials this inn could be built with? Or, if You want to keep the inn the way it is, maybe You could ditch few of those pirate figures ( there's already plentty of them ) and replace them with Soldiers, preparing for a sneak attack... or better... Islanders preparing for a sneak attack! But then, they could also use a boat, and since we probably wouldn't like to include two boats in one set, if You could digital alter that pirate craft into something more colorful that could serve the enemy... or keep the boat as it is and provide some sort of assault raft for those attackers. If that raft could be armed with a bit of firepower, a cannon or an organ gun, they might even have an upper hand in the oncoming confrontation ;)

Very nice design of the vessel, and nice presentation, tho seeing a comic book i thoight You'd throw some action in there ;) And i still think that's what this set could use, a bit more excuse for some action happening on it, it seems very static right now. I'd try to look for ways to bring more life into it. Right now all that can happen here is him sail it and Lego is more about providing more opportunities to play with, this one didn't fire up my imagination ;) So maybe You could throw a monkey in there, so that it could steal soldier's bag and he would have to chase it all over those masts? Or maybe he could carry an important prisoner instead of the letter? Also, this hut at the front of the boat, as much as it looks nice, i'm not sure what's it supposed function in all of it. The way it's positioned it only occupies some place, it doesn't seem to be something one could play with, or maybe there's still something hidden under it? Maybe it could be openable? There could be a small hatch, so that the letter or the bad could be secured under it? ( we surely don't want to wind to blow it away ;) ) If You want to keep the number of parts, then i'd suggest dumping that bag for even a simple spying glass, as it would provide more play value. Bag... it's just a big, nice decoration, but not something one could realy use for storymaking ;) Or maybe he could carry something small, but far more important than a letter? Like the golden sword of king Kahunatakahakapowhatakahatakaugatakhakatatakanuhaka? ;) Throwing in some sort of single-piece artifact would make it much more appealing.

Nice! Perhaps the funniest entry i've seen so far :) If only Lego would go for such sets, there's so much happening in here, tho i think You forgot about a another option - pirate and the lady could fall in love and cook that other islander ;) Honestly tho, since i think most of us are looking for sets that could be actually released by Lego, i'd try to do some thinking how it could be transformed into something "doable", with those existing parts, or few replacements. I think even all that barbecue could be turned into a litter, for example, maybe those islanders aren't that bad, and he's their guest or even their master and they carry him around? Or if he is their guest maybe they could hae dinner together, like say during some peace talks... tho obviously that skull should be well hidden then, as se islanders surely woudln't like to bring their brutal part to their guest... or would they do that for purpose, to scare him into giving them a better deal? Perhaps all of this could be turned into a small prison? I mean, something that could pass in censors' eyes ;)

Very nice presentation and design, i like Your engineering work on this project. However I think that there's maybe the rocky element puts a huge shadow on everything else in it, it takes all the attention, with nothing exciting happening around it realy. I mean, it's still a nice, but i would look for ways to balance this. Maybe this pirate fellow could be replaced with someone visually appealing? I mean, he's not the kind of minifig one could be attracted too. Or if he could have a soldier/another pirate, someone to fight with. Or you could switch drop that crab for atypical animal in pirate sets... like say...even a small pig that could bring more life and action into it ;)

Nice presentation and a well thought use of palmtrees. Combinging a vessel with elements traditionaly asociated with landscape is quite original. I wonder if it could be improved tho? Maybe, as Lego You could find ways for different uses of those plants for You pirate's journey? I mean, since there are two poles, maybe it could be turned into a hut, some sort of roof, protection from both the rain and the sun. Also our one legged friend could definitely use some sort of firepower to fight off that shark. One pistol wouldn't be too much to ask for, would it? Or maybe, as he's obviously a smart fellow, maybe he could use that shark for his own benefit, like, what if there would be a chain that the shark could grab onto, like a leash, to pull the raft? Captain Sparrow used that trick in last POTC movie, so why not this guy? ;)

Thank You for Your kind words. As for those early entries i simply didn't have time to go through as many of them as i'd like too, so I could only review them selectively, but I've been bookmarking them from the beginning, and I'll hopefully manage to leave feedback to all the participants as it woudln't be fair to omit any of them ;)

It's kinda appealing as a world/army building set, but it's kinda weird and a very incosistent set. A giant baseplace, with very little to do on it! My first and most logical suggestion would be to dump the baseplate and just use smaller pieces for water, directly under the jetty. Also, docks aren't realy dock's if there's nothing beside docks ;) So the easiest way to imrove it would be to add some cases with goods, foods i guess, stuff that sailors would like to obtain in port before continuing their journey, or all those things that soldier's might reposses, as part of their antismuggling operations perhaps. Plenty of options, as there's plenty of space on those black parts! Even adding a simple desktop at the top of the jerry, where soldiers could place a book with quil and inkwell to record and keep track of all the vessels coming in to port ( like it was done in POTC: Black Pearl ) would improve the whole presentation.

I have to say i waa a bit confused by the presentation at first, as i thought all of these are Your original builds, had to google a bit to check what's original and what's used. Still, i absolutely love this combo! Nice additions, and the whole thing looks stunning. And i must admit, You had a good idea with those new elements, they have one problem tho - they look fabulous when it's all combined, but they might not be most appealing if they were released separately. But my first suggestion was to be about that cannon. Cannon on the sea looked a bit stranged, then again, it's for kids, they would surely dream up some piece of land to put that artillery on, and when i googled the original set i saw that's just how they designed it before. Still, for all those picky future reviewers You migt wanna think up about some way to make that cannon be floatable. So a soldier's artillery raft perhaps? I don't recall this being done before, would look great for me. At first i thought about a catamaran, tw boats as a base for the cannon, but two of them would be two many. Putting two different smal vessels for soldiers on that surface would be more attractive. But then again... since You've posted those original sets only for presentation of Your additions, i'm not sure if i should even suggest making changes to them ;) Still, if You'd like to continue with those add ons, i'd go with some floating obstacles. I've read that in ancient times it wasn't uncommon to put some spikes on chains, to stop incoming enemt boats. Piracy might not be that ancient, but hay, it's fantasy ;) Also chains could be used to place some barrier with powder barrels that could be blown up. Also, since there's so many pirates in here, folks might complain that they are too uniformed, You know. I actually like that idea, pirate that at least try to standarize their look and form some sort of an army, and i actually always did that in when i played with them. Tho, for others too many red of white bandanas in a single presentation might be too many ;) But, my most important suggestion perhaps, I'd put that add ons idea away, and focus on offering ALL OF THIS within one set. That would be something no fan of Lego Pirates could pass on, especially that many of us here probably didn't have a chance to but it yet. So, as it seems quite popular among both fans and Lego to compile two or more sets into something old-but-new, I'd do the same way here. This entry would simply work better if You would turn all these sets, Your original creations and previously exisitng ones, into a single jawdropping proposal. Thus, few more changes in those original sets might be required to make it look more original ;)

Woah! Well done my friend! Stunning presentation! I hope You don't mind, but i've borrowed that beautiful package art as a wallpaper for my laptop ;) Can't afford even these cheaper sets right now, so at least that's kinda way to enjoy it ;) Raft is one of my first two pirate sets too btw, still have it, wouldn't exchange it for Your version, but i wouldn't ming hugging such set anyway ;) I like all those improvements You've done, original was more simplified, and here You've made a nice use of the flag, that gives it more play value, than the classic. However, i don't know, maybe it's those modern colors, but original had a bit more charm ;) And those new barrels give it somewhat darker appearance, even tho classic one had a black base and this one's brown. So, as much as i like this remake, i think that parting with tradition and altering it a bit would make it look even cooler, and by altering it i mean giving it a bit more color, perhaps those sails be red or mixed red and blue? Or maybe those sails could be made out of flags from sunken soldiers' ships, or even from soldiers' coats? Also, i'm surprised You've decided to pass on one of the raft's crewmembers, but i guess he just got eaten by that shark, and that's the reason why this beast is so oversized? ;) Or maybe his pirate comrades decided to devour him themselves and that shark is just fat because of genetics ;) Then again, since it's supposed to be a modernised version maybe it should dump the shark and go with an actopus or a crocodile instead? Colorful ( purple? ) octopus would surely add some color into the whole picture. As for the island, it's quite different from the original, and as much as i love the classic version, Your's got more to offer! I love those simple, but well thought details, like those wooden panels being skewed, surely proof inhabitants were drunk when they built it ;) The addition of a female is a smart move, especially now when it's a double set. I guess that's also the reason why You've decided to kick one of those orignal officers from it? He had to go to make way for the chick ;) And she definitely adds a lot just by her presence! And even hear headwear is very appealing. I miss the crow's nest from the original, but i guess it's perfectly justified as they will use the raft to move around the neighbourhood ;) One suggestion tho, as i've already said it in other entries with shark, i'd give at least one spear to those guys on the island, to fight it off, or to hunt it. More types of available weapons always make a set more attractive in my opinion ;)

Lovely and somewhat unique as remakes i usually see tend to be MUCH BIGGER than originals, and You've managed to kinda shrink the size of the ship ;) I like the way You've rebuilt it from different parts, this sort of design could be surely useful for those who can't get their hand on the classic vessel, but would like to built it by themselves. Other than that, i must admit i'm not realy familiar with the original, but comparing both versions, don't see any real innovations and some folks might complain that such upgrades should be obligatory in those remastered sets ;) I like the hidden compartment tho, and thse stairs, and the crane, for some reason i always had something for cranes in Lego Pirate worlds, they seem so playable :) One thing i wonder the most tho, those green and black side part of the vessel. From the outside It kinda looks it was openable, or well, that clearly kids could do something with it, it kinda reminds me of these backgrounds in old cartoons where there was this highlited area and we instantly knew something's gonna happen to it. So the same way, in here, i have this feeling like that side of the ship is a drawer, or somesuch, a thing that can be opened, pulled out, or maybe that's a detachable part that could be used as damaged area of the board? ;)

Awesome! Love Your presantation, it looks just like a real Lego set that i'd look to put my hands on right this moment. I especially love this jetty and it's rocky surroundings, designing it must have been not easy, but it's a winner for me. I wonder what in the tower tho, just like with another similar entry, are there ways to look inside, perhaprs walls that can be open? How do soldiers climb on top of this structure? or is it all left to our/kid's imagination? ;)

Stunning! I'm not a fan of custom muskets or this kind of skind on Lego minifigs, but i must admit they fit very well into this diorama, just like those rusty breastplates :)

Nice! It's not as great as the previous one with a captain and animals, but still appealing. I'd like to see this set from different angles tho, if that's possible :) So far Your characters and the lantern take all the attention, and it's hard to tell what's behind them :) Also, since You're pretty good with visual backgrounds I think this presentation would only gain if You'd place this set during the night, perhaps also wet and/or foggy environment, to turn this date into sort of taking place in stereotypic image of Britan or colonial New England ;)

Reading this last sentence i was SURE You will say that palm tree's magic goldening abilities will help grow some coins inside that empty chest ;) Oh, and i forgot, i love You take on that secon set. Hope You will use it as an entry in the contest? Or perhaps You already did, i must check ;)

Damn it dude, i don't know what spell did You put on this presentation, but i totaly love it! Even tho those figs aren't most classic ones, the whole thing is so charming and playable i don't dislike them ;) Tho obviously those are some teenage bucaneers, surely they haven't smelled gunpowder, nor did they taste blood on their tongues. They must be Brethren's Court spoiled kids then i presume? Tho, since they are in posession of all that gold and a map their happy days might be soon over. Or am i wrong and will it not change? Cause obviously no respectef pirate will think about looking for hidden gold inside a piano. Unless, he will hate that piano and will destroy it, uncovering it's content in the effect ;) BTW, is that map element removable from under the table? Or is it stuck somewhere in it, so you can't pull it out completely?

Pretty neat, tho i must say it looks more like a diorama set, not a set that could be played with many time. I mean, you can'y do much with this huge pule of sand, i'd definitely take it all apart for parts. Then again Your second, smaller version is visualy even nicer :) I wonder if that hidden treasuer is the reason why Your palm tree started to produce golden coconuts ;)

Cool idea! I actually like those green sails, they may not be something classic withing Lego Pirates, but it does work for me. If i'd change something then two things... on the first photo i thought i saw a spear in the place of Your second oar... which then turned to be oar... and somehow, this idea stuck in me. I'd say giving him one spear in place of one of Your oars could give this set more play value, and more parts. He could have a chance to fight that shark of, or even hunt it for food. And then, his head. I can see that in his situation he might wanna get himself into a state of illusive happiness, but I'd prefer to change it into a scared face. I think it would work better :)

Awesome! :D So much life in such a economical set :) I agree that it's probably not something Lego would put in toyshops' shelves, but i'd totaly would love a whole bunch of these anyway :) You gonna do more of such scenes? With different characters in different situations? I'd love to see more of them :)