Darkdragon

Raptor Chase review is up

It's been a few years since Jurassic Park hit the big screen, and these new Dino theme sets are not based on the movie, yet they have brought back some fond memories for me. Since I got back into LEGO last year, I've been slowly collecting the various dinosaurs from all the retired dino-related themes. Some of the dinosaurs in the past range varied from strange to downright ugly with a few gems, of course. Will the new theme live up to the hype and impress dinosaur fans around the world, or will it fall quickly to extinction? Read on to find out my answer. Name: Raptor Chase Set Number: 5884 Pieces: 255 Price: $29.99 Ages: 5-12 Minifigs: 2 Theme: Dino Year of Release: 2012 (actual 2011) Box Front Here's a big scene for this small set. At least, that's the way I felt when I saw the front of the box. The box itself is a lot larger than I had expected for a $30 set. The background and graphics on the box, as well as the setup of the set, really make the set feel bigger than it actually is. This isn't a problem in my mind, just something I noticed. If I was a parent and purchasing this for a child, I'd really feel like I was getting a great deal buying this set. Box Back Ok, now the set feels even bigger and more action-packed. The back of the box depicts the interactive features of the set. The best scene on the back is the one where they lasso the Raptor and getting ready to tranquilize him. That scene is so full of action it really makes me want to play with the set and make roaring sounds. Box Sides The sides are very typical of any LEGO set. They have used the new style of large but thin boxes so that more room is available for artwork on the front and back, less cardboard wasted on the sides. Instructions Cover Very similar, nearly exactly the same artwork as the front of the box. However, the front of the instruction booklet does not have the same wow factor for me. Instructions Open The printing of the instructions is nice, as I've come to expect from LEGO sets. I have a bit of an issue with the booklet, and I'm not sure if this is simply the first time I've noticed or if it is something new. The issue is that the instructions are so long. For such a small set, I'd expect a much thinner book. This book, as you can see from the photo, has steps that only place one part. One?! I think even a child could follow more than one part per step. The problem is that it slows down building by forcing you to stop and turn pages so often, as well as using extra ink and paper. Stickers The stickers are nice. The printing is nice and I like the designs. I do feel that some of these could have easily been printed parts, which I really would have enjoyed having. Bag 1 & Raptor The Raptor body parts are packaged in the "Chinese factory" plastic bag, just like many other large molded and glued parts from other sets (specialty minifigure heads, Toy Story characters, etc.). I've included the Raptor parts with Bag 1 because the build is shown at the start of the instructions, right after the minifigures. Bag 2 Here you can see the big tires, and probably guess most of the truck will be built using these parts. Raptor Parts Outside the package now, it's plain to see the nice printing on our Raptor. The color scheme is just great and the use of standard Technic pin joints will make for many MOCs later. Even though the tail looks like it has a joint, it does not. I was disappointed by this, as I wanted to make a video of my Raptor wagging his tail. Bag 1: Dark Parts Bag 1: Light Parts Bag 2: Dark Parts Bag 2: Light Parts Raptor Build Straight out of it's own personal bag, we can almost completely build this guy. Looks like we'll need to break open Bag 1 to get that last connection for his head (black Technic pin). Our completed Raptor. I'm very pleased with the design of him overall. The paint detailing is great, the mouth opens and stays in the position I place it, and the arms and legs and head all swivel. The only two things that I would have liked to see are that the tail end section could use the ability to move that and it would have been neat if the head was on a ball joint instead of standard Technic pin joint (so that it could have more articulation like a Fabuland figure head). Minifigures What can I say but wow! I really like these new torso and leg prints. Not only are they great in the action theme, but I feel that the torso on the left will work in literally any current LEGO theme. The new leg print is very nice, I like the modification to the standard holder print and the addition of the compass. The bearded face is nice, but the real gem of the heads is the smug smiling scuffed-up face of the younger man. What a great face. Oh, and did I mention they are printed on the back too?! I'm not a big fan of that huge D logo, but the design of the clothing and other details on the back printing is great. Of course my favorite face from this set has a dual-sided head too. There's been a lot of chatter about this gun. The design is very simplistic, but it looks very solid and feels very solid. I'm looking forward to some military MOCs with the syringe replaced by something more scope-like. Outpost Complete The outpost is a simple build, I didn't bother with an in-progress photo because of it's simplicity. Most of it is built on one level right on the 6x6 plates. I do think that the designers did a good job creating a small addition to this set, it gives the set a bit more atmosphere and extra playability. Vehicle Build Here is something I found a bit strange. In all the other sets I have built, Bag 1 started and finished Model 1 and Bag 2 started and finished Model 2, and so on. In this set, however, Bag 1 has the builder starting the truck, which is what I'd call Model 2. This photo shows what we have at the end of the instructions for Bag 1. It's a strange little rainbow-colored vehicle. Vehicle Complete Ah, that's better! After finishing the instructions for Bag 2, we have a very strong truck with some great play features. The bright green missiles can be flick-launched at your brother Raptor, the turret can turn and the barrel of the noose/bait can be moved up and down. Of course it's a truck with some hefty tires, so you can drive it all over the place (hand-powered of course). Whole Set Here is the whole set together, I've set it up similar to the photo on the front of the box. Looks like they are trying to capture the Raptor and he seems interested in the bait. I don't see how anything could go wrong here. Conclusion Overall, I found this set a great value. We get this super-cool new Raptor, two minifigures with great new prints, a tranquilizer gun, two lime green syringes, and a very play-with-it-rough truck. All for only $30! I really like the yellow/dark-red color scheme and the dark tan minifigure scheme. The various greens used on the dinosaur itself are perfect too; it looks very natural and pleasing to my eyes. I have to say that, based on this set anyway, this theme is a winner in my book. Ratings Playability: 9/10 - Everything in this set is very much built for play. It's plain to see the designers had playing in mind when creating this small set. The playability of the outpost portion of the set is a little bit more difficult for my giant adult hands. Design: 9/10 - I really like the design of the truck itself. It is very sturdy and looks nice, so much so that I may keep it built. The design of the Raptor is wonderful, the minifigures are excellent, and even the little outpost looks nice. The only major fault I can see is that dinosaur tail not moving. Price: 8/10 - The price is good, though I would have liked it down to $25 since it only has two minifigures and isn't a licensed theme. Minifigures: 9/10 - I love these figures, the new prints are great and the new items too. I'd have scored it perfect if both minifigures had a tranquilizer gun (there are two darts, but only one gun). Parts: 8/10 - Overall great parts. Bonus Photo Looks like they got a little too rough trying to capture this fella. No worries, the nurse is here to help.

Great review and great looking set. This is next on my Dino purchase list. Can't wait to get my hands on those minifigs!

You're welcome. That's exactly why I posted the info, I know it took me an hour just for the photos. I'm currently just awaiting a Review Academy teacher to approve my review and then it will be posted.

Cinna will melee attack Lord Ricroar from the back row.

Oh darn, I wonder how I mistook the 16th for the 18th. Oh well, maybe next time. Good luck entrants!

Well if Keveak is knocked out then the remaining heroes will automatically target Ricroar.

Thank you everyone! I'm glad my creation can spark some ideas for using the microfigures. That was my intention with this big-small creation. I really feel like folks are overlooking these figures and hope to see some neat MOCs with microfigures from other people now It's a mountain lion

Technic pins built into the limbs.

Just an FYI that I've got a review coming for Raptor Chase, later today.

I will also be submitting a tower for our guild.

The beating of a lifetime. No not really, my dog would never do this. My cat on the other hand is a little , last night while I had a huge box of bricks that I was sorting he walked up and pulled the box down onto the floor - I'm pretty sure just to hear the crash. He has chewed on dragon wings (not long before I shooed him out) and likes to bat around anything trans-neon-green I usually keep the door closed on my LEGO room unless I'm in there (and a lot of times even if I am in there) to keep the animal out. That's the only good way I've found to keep things away from them.

Thank you lostboy. Thanks Big Cam. I hope I can change some other minds about microfigs too.

Excellent! Great use of the brickarms machete too.

Feeling much better now, Cinna will melee attack Lord Ricroar from the back row.

Excellent job on the hair and paint. I like the hand-painted look rather than computer perfections, looks much more realistic.

I know this isn't a watchtower but I have created a small version of Urk'cape and of course the palace is flying Mitgardia Guild colors. Urk'cape

Nestled at the bottom of a great mountain, in the low lands of Mitgardia, is the small fishing village of Urk'cape. This is only a portion of the village and includes the Lord's Palace, Blacksmith, Meat Seller, General Goods Seller, Forest Master, and a few homes. Speaker for the tribe, Than-Reya, lives here with her husband (if he looks angry, it's because she just broke the news that she will be traveling throughout the lands on Guild business). [Flickr set]

Oh Dear Lord, the retched Witchbreed walk among us! We must all ask for forgiveness for what we have to do. We must not harm any innocents this day as we sniff out the scum among us.

The design on your house is great. The door, the wood panels over the windows.

This is an excellent build. Great characters and details. I also especially love the cart.

Cinna will drink a potion this round.

"I think I should drink my potion, I won't be able to withstand another hit if I don't."

I'm ready! I have no questions about the game. (I put the image in my signature only because of the need to have my avatar set for the Guilds of Historica.)

Cinna will melee attack Lord Keveak from the back row.