Visorak-kal

From what I've seen, they either show up on Brickley's Words or on LEGO.com themselves. I think, at this point, you are best off just checking LEGO's reference in the Customer Service area. For the past year or so, they are having the instructions up before Brickley's Words cross-references them. I believe that the only time we got the instructions early was for the Mahri in March of 07. The latest instruction on LEGO is half of the new castle Troll Mountain Fortress. Just checked, no sign of Legends or vehicles yet. I'm betting the instructions should be on BIONICLE.com when the new site goes live in the first weeks of July. Given the availability of vehicles and Titans in recent years, they should be available at the same time or before the sets themselves become available. VK

Actually, it is just supposed to be a larger version of the canister set, like larger Batman figures, etc. Mata Nui never grows to that size. It seems apparent to me that the design is clearly based off his canister form this year. Notice the similarity of the upper chest to the one-piece chest on the canister, the overall similar upper body, and the too-small shoulder armor. I agree, this new Mata Nui has a whole host of originality that I have been dying for in a set...unfortunately, the designers were unable to pull off a completely well-designed figure. There are some great points, like the legs, the hands, the upper chest, but other parts like the arms, lower body, and open thighs detract a lot from the set's overall design. Parts pack it definitely is. Funny, I see some people complaining on BZP that the set is yellow and not gold. I was expecting a gold Ignika, and that's what it appears to be. Gold is expensive, and I have a feeling Brutaka was a rare find in the world of gold. VK

First thing I'll say is prototype, so I'm not sure if those yellows will clash, or if in the final product they will be the same shade. It is possible that the prototype image is, like Umbra, underwhelming, whereas the final set may be considerably better. Design-wise, I spot three major issues: the head is too high above the body, the design of the arms and their armor is disappointing, and the upper legs (thighs) are too revealing in terms of pieces we see and armor we don't see. They CERTAINLY could have done a better job on those arms, if only to move them inward one peg; as it is, all the arms except for the connecting joints stick out. And that armor, in addition to being identical to the original set, does not do a very good job covering the larger arms. However, I must point out the excellent way that the upper body reflects the Toa-sized one-piece body armor with multiple pieces. I must also point out those FANTASTIC custom-built lower legs. Those are great, design-wise. The feet are also nicely done. The sword weapon is nice, liking the Ignika if it is gold, although I can't tell about the other weapon, too difficult to see. The hands, while a nice design by themselves, seem a tad small. The only major problem I can see is the openness of the design, showing all those pistons and not covering them well. I think a secondary color like black in some places would have been preferable to hide some of those pistons and additional joints. I expected yellow, and I expected similarity to the Toa set, I'm liking the design in several places, and strongly disliking it in others, so judgment will have to wait until I can see final pictures and determine if those yellows clash or if they are the same shade. (Or even if they are different shades, whether or not they actually clash). VK

Thanks! I actually have that head, will have to try it with my collection of bat helmets once I get them out of storage. It's a perfect combination! VK

Neat modernization of Classic figs...I especially like the modernization of the second group, definitely menacing. I must ask, though--what face is there behind that Bat mask in the second group? It doesn't appear to be the usual Bat-Lord face, but I could be wrong...it looks SUPERBLY menacing with that mask.... Great job with the customization! VK

Oh, so this is actually funded by the creators of that whole franchise? Wow, that makes it an even more intelligent decision on LEGO's part. They're cashing in WITH the franchise, instead of against it, thereby reducing competition. Nice. Can't say it interests me more, but thanks for that info, I wasn't aware that they were all the same creators. VK

Eh... It is obviously an ill-disguised attempt by LEGO and TT to capitalize on the success of that Guitar Hero franchise. While I have no interest in Guitar Hero and so no interest in LEGO Rock Band, I must admit it is an interesting business idea. The only question is whether LEGO can garner enough fans of Guitar Hero--I guess it depends on how family friendly Guitar Hero is in comparison. If families find nothing wrong with that franchise, they may very well not bother getting a LEGO version that may not be up to the same standard. But hey, what do I know? I've never listened to or played in a rock band in my life ('cept maybe Santana, if anyone remembers them...) VK

Well, Greg sort of boxed himself into a corner by answering questions about the Baterra's purpose when posed to him. Even if he didn't reveal it, someone on the OGD was about to guess, as there is a post several posts prior to that revelation where a BZP member guessed exactly their purpose. He was bound to ask Greg eventually, to which he would have had to say yes. I do agree that he should not have revealed that the Nuva wouldn't die, but personally I had no idea that Mata Nui would die or that Matoro would die. What's ironic is that this revelation, rather than making the Baterra cooler, makes the Great Beings cooler... VK

Or maybe so! Some nice closeups in there, especially of Gelu and Cendox. Come to think of it, I am really liking Cendox more and more. I may just get him, should Skopio prove too expensive. It is a shame the tan is on Thornatus, it isn't really my favorite of the new vehicles. Liking the new Reign of Shadows, better than the first "episode". Unfortunately, since Greg really outdid himself on Empire of the Skrall and Riddle of the Great Beings so far, RoS sort of pales in comparison. VK

For the most part, these people...can...not...pose... Fortunately, BZPower pictures have infinitely better shots. For the most part, I am liking all the new sets--plus I am VERY GLAD to see that at least Thornatus and Skopio appear to have functions. I am not sure about the smaller ones, hopefully they do as well. Stronius looks very cool. Kiina is okay, I am not sure if the Vahki leg for a body thing works with those arms sticking out. Maybe they will have more armor on the final version, or at least something to hide those new hordika joints? Gelu and Ackar look very cool also, but I still think Ackar is a little plain. Gelu is worth it for those Metus icicles and his awesome mask. I can't see Vastus well at all, so I'll reserve comment. Mata Nui looks very cool--except that he is yellow. I just don't get why he is yellow. I mean, if you look at all the cool images, that teaser trailer, the DVD COVER FOR THE MOVIE!, you'll notice that the Ignika and Mata Nui are both GOLD. Why can't they make the set gold if he's going to be gold in the movie? Something is definitely wrong there. Overall, I'd say summer looks good. Definitely a plus from last year's somewhat summer disappointment. VK

Terrible. It's things like this that make me feel that this kid MUST have gone a better place. Without faith in something, what is this father to do? Life works in sad and mysterious ways. Sometimes it is man's fault, and sometimes...sometimes it's like we have no control over anything. By the way, if you read the article carefully, the poor child collapsed before opening the present, so he didn't actually know what it was. Just the excitement--I remember feeling great excitement on birthdays and Christmas, I guess we all do, but we never would guess it could do this... Makes you realize how lucky you are for each and every breath you take... VK

Great. I have a load of tires I don't need--just sent you 20. VK

InnerRayg, I've got both racetrack modules, Rank 1 on my page--I'd be perfectly willing to give you as many solar power cells as you need to race me on those two so I can finally get the move on this rank (I've been on it for months.) Page is here, name is Keerahk--CLICK VK

I think you're right about the Musk of the Bonehunters part coming from the Zesk; that looks like an error. But if you think about the other two: Notice what the Zesk is doing on the bonehunter trap module every time you click; it tries to dodge. Maybe the module is "trapping" a Zesk, and the bonehunters use Zesk stingers as blades? Always a possibility. VK

That is Mad-Eye Moody's head from the Harry Potter 4 sets. This is really neat MoC; to be honest, I even like it better than the actual Swamp Raid set! The building in the background is fantastic, those custom characters are cool, and I really love that steambike. I really wasn't even aware of this so-called Steampunk genre until I came to Eurobricks, but the MoCs here in that genre are fantastic. I wish LEGO would make some steampunk sets. VK

True. Can't see why they'd bring the Troll Fortress but not Skopio, but I'll leave this man the benefit of the doubt that they weren't there. Still, though, nice to see the box pics in what seems to be a somewhat better quality. VK

I can't believe the guy stood there and only took pictures of the BOXES for Thornatus and Skopio! And there's no canister pictures, which also stinks. Still, the Spikit looks cool, but the chariot for Baranus is not really inspiring me. It just doesn't seem that impressive, seems more like a BIONICLE platform for the Agori to stand on. Kaxium looks even cooler than it did on the box pics. Definitely getting that. But WHY no SKOPIO? VK

Woah, that Space Police theme is like...nuts. The designs themselves are not bad at all; full and fairly solid. But the theme itself--way out there. Crazy space trucks, weird alien people on flying motorcycles...strange colors...that theme is almost as crazy as those Time Twister people. Fortunately, they manage to pull it off moderately well. Like Agents, not a bad theme, but probably not something I'll be getting in any case. I was all hyped when I saw the BIONICLE page, but the guy only took pictures of the BOXES for the two larger sets! VK

Who cares if some guy named Guardian dies? (Supposing he is dead--no body and all.) The whole purpose was to display that Makuta knew where they were and was toying with them. I don't know about anyone else, but I thought this serial was rather short. But I'm not worried, we have plenty of time to gain insight on how the Matoran of Metru Nui are living their enslaved lives. Personally, I'm hoping Makuta has the Matoran build him a new body, like a safeguard in case Mata Nui's robo-body ever fails him. This way, when/if Mata Nui returns, we can have Titan sets of both and have them face off. VK

I am liking the Troll Fortress because, unlike many large sets that are released, it is completely three-dimensional. The fortress is circular in design, and has both a front and a back. It isn't a massive Mountain Fortress with no back. Like the King's Castle Siege, it is fully enclosed, and I really prefer that in larger sets. Not to say that sets without it are inferior... Drawbridge Defense also looks cool, though it sort of nullifies the only exclusive the Castle Advent Calendar had. Still, the Advent Calendar was 30 dollars and came in 2008, while the Drawbridge appears to be more expensive and comes out half a year later. King's Chariot? Eh. The chariot itself looks cool, and it is a nice way to get the King. However, I was hoping for something a bit smaller. Plus, one horse cannot pull that thing. Two horses, though iffy, would have been fine, but one? EDIT: AH! I just realized something terrible about all three of these sets...THERE ARE NO DWARVES! VK

You cannot defeat Da Tuma! Voted Tuma. As previously stated, probably would have been better to split them into categories. I, for one, am usually more partial to Titans than canister sets, and Tuma really just emanates buff Skrall lord. Fero's missing some hands. Glatorian are great, but as I said, I usually prefer Titans, so Tuma it is. Plus, who could not vote for Da Tuma? VK

Very true, Natman. I'm not a MoCer myself, but even I can think of a lot of ways all these neat wheels and treads could be used; there's a really nice variety of pieces included in these. I also like the use of the big wheels. VK

I assume you are failing them because you dislike their designs? I mean, I don't particularly agree with high tech on Bara Magna given the current situation (which could of course change), but the sets themselves I think look pretty neat. The only catch is they don't fit the situation particularly well. Plus, Greg has mentioned that Bara Magna at one point was more advanced that it current is. For all we know, these vehicles could simply be the only remnants of that past age. I also like the gold Ignika; I guess this sort of confirms that Mata Nui will have a gold Ignika. VK

I know. It's a shame there's no Titans this time around, but then again I wasn't really expecting any from the set names. They all sounded like vehicles, and voila, they all are. While the technology is a little strange for what appears to be a barren desert world, and there are no chariots, some of the sets themselves I do like. (I would have to assume that the coming of Mata Nui changes things on Bara Magna.) The Cendox V1 is okay, glad to see more tan. The Kaxium I really like, it is like a BIONICLE dual motorcycle, which I don't think is too unwanted considering the nice response for the Destral Cycle in 2008. I liked the Destral Cycle, and I like this. Plus, is it just me, or is that a nice mix of Mata blue and silver? Thornatus, I"m not too sure on. It looks a little thrown together from this picture, with weapons slapped on and not much bulk to the vehicle itself. I am leaving most criticism to better pictures. Skopio is superb. It is a vehicle, but at the same time it has the cool feeling of an enormous Rahi. With all likelihood, it probably will end up being just another vehicle, but it sure looks like a mega-Visorak. The tread wheels for legs is an awesome idea, it's like high technology meets primitive design. Liking so far, and it seems the Spikit will be an exclusive set. Maybe with a Titan? VK

Two interesting bits of news...courtesy of the last two posts in the OGD (at this time), mine and the one directly after. Firstly, the shapeshifters mentioned in the new serial have been fully discussed by the story team and will show up again. Secondly, according to Greg, there will be a Spikit in a summer set, and the Spikits usually carry wagons and things like that. Who else is thinking Spikit chariot, or possibly even better, Skrall war wagon? It bugs me to no end how someone can only take a picture of HALF of a page when there's new Bionicle vehicles like five inches up! It takes two seconds! (Although, of course, I'd probably do the same to Spongebob.) VK