iragm

The sail colors are fantastic! Good tumblehome design. Some ratlines are needed on the forward mast, its awkward having them only on the main. 3 sails in height is ambitious for a ship this size, but it works IMHO. There's a decided lack of color on the boat itself; some white like the Barracuda Bay has might be good, or a bit of red. Maybe the cannon covers could be red to match the sails? Oh and speaking of colors (heh), a larger flag on the back of the boat would be good. I like the cabin design and the way it slopes inwards; I think it's fine as-is. The anchor is too large, although I admire the brick-built attempt. I wrote all the stuff above without knowing this was designed by a 12 year old. If the designer's age is factored in, this is nothing short of amazing. I will admit that I prefer the Sin Island design, but a ship is a much harder thing to build, and this is an admirable attempt. I hope he keeps up the design work, because, yes, in a year or two he could be one of best designers around.

Many interesting techniques used here! The sand is nicely shaped, and the masthead is definitely not a build I've ever seen before. I love that this is one of the only mini sets to include a palm tree! And the crab, monkey, bottle, and banana are all great accessories that lend themselves to good storytelling. Very nicely done! I think the only issue I see is that some of the techniques used would put stress on the bricks. That doesn't stop them from being cool, though! Just don't leave it assembled like this for too long.

This a very nice build. I know how hard it can be to build smooth shapes like a ship's hull, and you've done a great job here! As others mentioned, a few curved bricks would go a long way towards improving the look. The main issue I see here is that this is (still, despite the shaping on the hull) pretty rectangular. Look at the top down view, and contrast that against the pre-formed hulls used in official sets. A jib sail, some ratlines, a crow's nest, a few flags, and this would look a lot better. Even as it is, you're off to a great start with this build, so I hope you continue and finish this. It would look fantastic if built with real bricks!

This is a great remake of a mediocre set! I love that the ship is fleshed out a bit more than the original, although the brick-built sail is not as good looking as a cloth sail would be, especially when viewed from the back. And yes I read the spoiler bit where you admit this. The torn look on the front is surprising good! The minifigures are good; the first one is an outstanding modernization of a classic figure, but the others are really just the original figures from the set. The plant life is great, really well done. Same with the rockwork, really excellent color usage there. When the set separates, does the bridge lower down into the water? Having an open display option like Eldorado has is a great idea, I'm just not sure how it works with that bridge. The rope "cutting" feature is brilliant. Actually, there's not much I dislike about this build! Very nice work!

This really came together very nicely! In no particular order, some thoughts: The toucan egg is too large, part 58176 in white would work better. The raft is wonderful and could hold its own in the mini set category. The baseplate has too much gray plate on the top of it -- it's quite a large, flat, undecorated area. The tiling and detailing on the ramp is great though; any chance of continuing that on the top of the baseplate? The colors and masonry are good, nice work taking feedback from people in this thread. I especially love the water and use of dark tan as wet sand. Your minifigure selection is excellent. All in all, a wonderful build. There's another quite similar rock island refuge remake in this contest and I must say I really love all the many great details you've added to this. Very very nice, I would buy this if it was an actual set.

I agree with you that the brown docks are superior. But it's very minor either way -- IRL docks can be black, brown, tan, or gray. I find it kind of funny how divided the community is on this point. Others have mentioned the sand already. That is really the biggest downside to this build. The plants are wonderfully detailed and add great color. The old palm tree trunk is so much better than the new ones that I don't mind it at all. The colors for the barrels/lids are really great, too. And I love the details like the spilled bottle of rum, the tiled floor, the coins/map/key under the floor. So, what could be better here? The mix of old and new bricks and techniques is (again) really the only area for improvement in this build. The brick-thick sand is awkward when contrasted against the tan sand right below it. The castle wall panels are awkwardly blocky when contrasted against the nice tiled floor. But regardless, this is very well designed. The tiled water doesn't bother me in the slightest, actually I quite like it. Keep up the good work, I'd love to see more creations from you!

You have every right to be proud of this! Great design, good minifigure selection and nice renders! I like the continuation of the stairs behind the main building. And the modernization of the color scheme is good. Actually I like nearly everything about this! The only issue I can find is that the building itself is very square and the use of masonry bricks is repetitive. It takes away from an otherwise excellent build.

I like the purple color scheme, it works for me even it it's completely historically inaccurate. The orange is the weakest part of the design and should go. Unfortunately, there isn't really a build to critique here, so I don't have a lot more feedback to offer.

Great, build, very simple but well done. Nice concept, too! The plant leaves should have lighter green on top and darker green on the bottom (new growth is lighter). And I would swap out the light green foliage bricks on the top of the set for some palm leaves, a single modern palm leaf would work there and free up a piece for other purposes. I'm not sure I understand the coin's role here, it seems unnecessary (?) This is really nice and a solid entry. Good job!

This is great! I actually really like the unstriped tanbark sails on the sloop. The hut design in nice; a good update to the original shanty. I agree that a palm tree isn't needed, there's plenty of green already in the roof. I really like the hidden treasure design, but I might use part 65509 (double jumper) instead of 2x jumper tiles. As for the seaweed, it makes sense where it's under the dock, but it doesn't seem necessary at all in the water next to the island. Plain azure plates like Barracuda Bay used are fine. Good selection of accessories here, and I like the animals. I would also add an imperial minifigure, just to give the set a bit more conflict. Excellent work overall, this really feels like an official set, and it's a good modernization of a classic!

This is a great update to the original 6274 that fixes a great many issues the set had. The awkward ratlines running down the middle of the ship, the unenclosed captain's quarters, and the lack of guns on both sides. One issue from the original ship remains, and that's the useless mizen mast; as others have said, this needs a spanker. If you want to stick with official sails, I wonder if the sail from 6273 could be repurposed? I also agree that a jib is needed. And, to me, the brick-built spritsail clashes with the cloth sails. On its own it's nice, especially how you recreated the blue and white striping, but it stands out as a weak part of the build. And yes, there's too many minifigures and cannons, especially above decks. But I love the use of the 6081 queen torso as a bluecoat, not something I've seen before, but she fits perfectly and is era-accurate. The rest of this build is really nice. I really like how the hinged doors shape the cabin, the railing design, and how nearly everything is done with bricks that would have been around in the 90s (with a couple minor exceptions, of course). I might get rid of the blue and yellow flags on the stern; they clash with the white and blue flag on the main mast. And swap the gray bird out for a parrot. But all in all, these are very minor complaints. This is a fantastic build that captures the spirit of classic pirates excellently.

It's an essential part of the build, it's like the drumstick in 7038 Troll Assault Wagon -- so stupid you can't help but laugh. The concept is some 10/10 genius stuff. Unfortunately, the execution looks weak. Not weak as in poorly done, it's actually very nice looking, but weak as in it couldn't survive the inevitable rough play that would ensue with such a set. The harness traces brick only appears attached by the bottom studs of the arches, and would be very fragile. I'd replace it with either a string or a brick-built harness, and save the brick you've used here for the Islander version where it can attach to the top of a crocodile. But still, this is so just fun that I can't help but love it. Well done!

I agree - the shape of the island is top notch, simply perfect. Unfortunately, the rest of the set is more a simple rebuilding than a re-imagining. It also looks like the island would appear to float a plate off the ground. You went to some effort to make sure that all the original bricks could be used to make a sail -- why not show us an alternate model or two? A few more accessories, an animal, more modern leaves, and better rock shaping would really bring this to life. Again, the design of the beach is amazing, it's just a shame the rest of the set hasn't been modernized to the same standard. And these renders from LDraw are nowhere near as good as what Stud.io can do, I would try to import this file and get some good quality renders. Still, this is a great start and I hope to see more stuff from you in the future!

This really came together. It's not perfect, but the build techniques and thought you've put into it make it my favorite Islanders entry in the contest so far. (And that is some high praise given the quality of the other entries!!) It could still be improved by having a better "rule of thirds" following silhouette. I also find the colors a bit cluttered - removing the dark pink and teal would go a long way to improving it. But, still, even as is, this is masterfully done. I would love a video of the final build showing the statues rotate.

That video is great, it cleared up my concerns about the coin. Wonderful little build, I wouldn't change a thing about it. So very clever!

This latest update is a huge improvement! I might consider a palm leaf roof like smuggler's shanty had, instead, since the shingle(?) texture isn't very piratey. But, the shape of the canopy really breaks up the square look. And I like the dark red chimney.

I agree with this, an excellent suggestion. A very clever technique. This was a good call, the set looks great as-is. The only suggestion I have is the white quarter round tiles that are "waves": would they look better if they were clear cheese slopes? Look great, and I like the green over the sand. It's a really nice look. I am not a fan, it's too goofy and contrasts (badly) against the masterful and very detailed work in the rest of the build. My only other suggestion is related to proportions and the rule of thirds. Right now, this is very symmetrical build (with the tower on the left and the statue on the right). It needs some negative space; I would keep just one of the small islands and place it to the left of the large island so that it occupies about 1/3rd of the final picture. This design so far is masterful and you've got a good shot at winning -- if you can finish, that is!

This is a terrific concept! I can't quite figure out how the mechanism works to build it myself, though. Is there just no lid on the box? It also seems like the coin would slide out, hit the plate, and get stuck under the tongue. I wonder if this could be done without the plate? The minifigure, design, and build all look great. The concept is extremely original, probably the most innovative thing in the small sets category I've seen so far. I really like it, I just want to see it in action!

This looks like a great little build to me! The original has to be one of the simplest pirate sets ever, so modernizing it while keeping the same look is very difficult, but you've done a great job here! I dislike the new monkey figure, the original was a classic. And the monkey was the main attraction of the original set. But, I understand the need to replace it with the modern monkey. However, if you are updating the monkey, the minifigure should also be replaced, perhaps with a mustache (part 15439). I understand other's suggestions about needing to fully bury the treasure, but that seems difficult - or impossible - with such a small part count. I think the colors, rocks, and plants have been nicely updated, and there's no reason to change anything; it's as good a remake as this set will get.

That is really clever. I have seen a relatively common design with 4x part 30340 (life preserver) attached to a 1x1 with studs on all sides, but I think I like your design more. Very very nice work here.

This is now free on Rebrickable: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-156946/irabricks/the-black-tower/

An excellent build! I think the beach is fine, it adds some good negative space around the build, although admittedly it is a bit square. Ideally, it would be cool if the ship was tilted as though it had sunk, although this might not be possible with the limited parts count in this contest. I'd like to see an animal or two -- shark, crab, parrot, monkey, whatever, just to add some life to the build. I really like the use of the angle of the window to hold the ladder, a wonderful touch. Overall, this looks pretty good to me!

A great little vignette with many excellent details! I love the sloping window, the sword holder, the parrot's perch, and especially the melted wax beard. I would use your extra part to add a 1x1 round plate with open stud placed on the jumper tile to reinforce the parrot's perch -- it looks a bit unstable as it is. Or, add epaulets to the captain. Very well done, a charming build that evokes some great storytelling with the animals and accessories.

I agree, it's a large wall of monotone dark tan that takes away from the rest of the set. I would have preferred dark gray, with some plant life and maybe a waterfall like the original baseplate had. I do like that you kept the play features of the original, and the rope bridge is a big improvement over the original (which just made no sense, yours is how a rope bridge should retract). The minifigures don't really work for me, especially the knight helmets feel a bit of out place. But, there's a great many things that are well executed here; the dark tan boat is especially nice. I love the oarlocks on it. Keep up the good work, with a few modifications this will be a really nice entry!

Very impressive work! When I saw this, I thought it reminded me of a crazy classic-style Forestmen build done on Islander baseplates, and when I looked it up, sure enough, you designed that one, too! All of your work is very nice and feels just like classic 90s sets. Not to mention the professionally-made renders! Many of the best bits of this build are lifted from official sets. That raft is (mostly) from set 1788. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing at all, why not borrow elements that work? The only element of this build that bothers me is the use of a rope bridge as a drawbridge (the bit borrowed from set 6281) -- it's a bit silly and breaks the suspension of disbelief for me. But that's minor -- the colors are great, minifigures look right at home, the proportions of the build look great, well done! I am inclined to agree with this; a lot of sets used one or the other, but both together clashes, just a bit. I think the falling lava play feature is my favorite bit here. That's pretty original, and looks very well executed. In terms of actual criticisms, it feels like there's just a bit too much going on here. This could easily be split into 3 different sets, each a winner in their own right. Having 4 rope bridges, 4 statues, 4 palm leaf roofs? Sometimes, less is more. This feels like catalog diorama from the 90s, it's great to look at in a "Where's Waldo" kind of way, but as a set, it's a bit overkill. Still, at the end of the day it is a joy to look at, and that's all that matters. Thumbs up!