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Horation

Eurobricks Knights
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Everything posted by Horation

  1. Horation
    Well there's eggyslav's 2 builds, and I believe those are the only ones (Zinn also did the same thing, but his was disqualified so I wouldn't know whether it should count, since only 1-2 people had a chance to comment on it before it was over).
  2. Horation
    A solid foundation-with a few issues during construction Theme The set has a lot of space for play, with a lot of poseable spots for extra play, and most of it is easily accessed by kids, I will however note the lack of play features other than the cannon, I'd try to add something extra for kids to have fun with and this would be perfect (ex : a collapsing mast or bridge, a treasure chest to fight over,etc...) Build The basic idea is done well ; the ladders and staircase are well integrated, and the various buildings are sufficiently large... except for the tower with a 2 stud gap, which makes posing figs hard, I'd either build it on the edge of the plate (using textured wood pieces), or I'd make the tower a 6x6. I enjoy the randomness of the ground green and the well used palms (as well as the barrier on the staircase-safety first!), but change a few of the 1x2 masonry bricks with black 1x2s, it'd be more interesting to look at. Finally, and this is my big issue-this doesn't look like a 1500 pcs set. The water uses way too many parts-which could be used on a realistic island shape, extra structures and details, etc...
  3. Horation
    I quite like the conquistadors' gritty look, and the faces, weapons and jungle atmosphere add to this, the sand looks realistic and the boat looks really good (it strikes a good balance between SNOT and sit-ability). I must ask, are you planning a small galleon for these conquistadors? I like to add recommendations, but this is a nitpick : you use olive green on the beach, then green in the middle, then olive green on the inside, it creates a weird look (but I understand part limitations are a factor), is there a way to create a gradient of leaf colours?
  4. Horation
    Quick question @A_Goodman, did you come up with that small boat? I like it quite a lot. And I'll repeat myself since you seem to have missed my comments, but is there a reason why the baseplate is curved (as in, partly in the air)? I'm curious if there's a structural reason to it or not.
  5. Horation
    The boat is nice and simple, but it could use a little less black at the front. overall it's a very sucessful boat design for such a small build.
  6. Horation
    Theme The build looks like a fine islander location, with a lot of life and play opportunites-but no enemies, no pirates or even crocodiles! I also dislike the fact that there's a kind of statue (in dark gray) that appears made to have some sort of play feature but just sits there, unused. At least there's an octopus underneath the island, but it doesn't appear to be defending anything... Build This is the part where your build shines, with a nice mix of lively colours and play+display elements (like those cages, for instance), I have no complaints here, which says a lot, except for that statue, which should have proper ears and a face (or, alternatively, a play feature like mentioned earlier), the build is very minifig friendly, which is a nice plus, good job! P.S. this is the most aesthetically pleasing entry I've seen to date, and it looks much better than the spludges of brown-grey most mocs use.
  7. Horation
    My thoughts : -The build captures the essence of the original quite well, and I like the improved interior (especially under the baseplate-equivalent area) and the ladders. -I will however criticise the lack of yellow on the build, the weird rocks and the fact that the two parts of the build don't appear to be of the same height, as evidenced by the shadow under the baseplate, make sure to account for this. -Finally, there should be water and/or sand under every dock in the build, as it looks weird like this.
  8. Horation
    Understandable, even if it does make all of the criteria a little confusing for me. Anyways, a few extra play features would do well here (ex : exploding walls, a few hidden spots, etc...)
  9. Horation
    All in all, good but obviously a MOC Not a full review (as there's little to critique), but here are some things to consider : -The shipwreck is fantastic, as is the rockwork, it has a lot of details but also a lot of room to play (and not too many figs!), and there have been many similarly detailed small builds which have been praised, so please don't change it too much! -The brickbuilt sail is a strength of this build, since it adds more depth than a thin cloth sail would -The water is impossible for an official set, and I'd like to point out that it's so long that the baseplate is curved, remove this water and replace it with a standard plate-based water colour like in recent sets. -As for the figures, the skin colour is a big mistake, I get that you'll tell me it looks nicer to you that way, but official unlicensed sets ALWAYS use yellow skin, no matter the situation or personal preference of the creator.
  10. Horation
    Nice to know for that, but I was actually thinking of the groups of 1x1 plates placed backwards in small formations on each side of the walls (I presume you used a 6x8 plate, put these parts on its back, and then connected it using some unusual geometry)
  11. Horation
    Theme This is hardly a set that would fit the small and simplistic builds from 2015's wave (that's a plus, BTW). I will however point out that this space is poorly used ; the cabin could use a little more detail and I would make the front and back have removable roofs (see 10210 for inspiration) so that the space underneath can be put to good use. Finally, I dislike the sailors, they look, feel, smell and quack like ducks pirates, I'd keep 'em (as pirates to be fought) but would make the three soldiers wear a tricorn and have no backpacks (like the sailors from the original clipper). Build The colour scheme is excellent ; blue and white fits the bluecoats really well. I like the details on the outside and the inside but I must again insist on the lack of inside space, which is both bad for play AND display. I would also consider making the golden lining on the cabin go all the way around said cabin.
  12. Horation
    The room and the added foliage work really well! I'm looking forward to those pirates and I really enjoy how you actually listen to the comments and often make compromises that work well, it feels fulfilling to be listened to.
  13. Horation
    Really like the colour scheme ; it's a nice change from everybody else's brown and grey builds. I must ask how you built those windows (I've got an idea of how you did it, but I'm not sure) and if there's anything at the back of the tower.
  14. Horation
    A good idea, but it could use a few improvements Theme I quite like the idea for the fort, and the large amount of space on it is a nice change from the small builds one sees around here. Unfortunately, that space is lightly used ; there's room aplenty under the grass for a jail cell, a storage room or anything you want, but it's hidden by a staircase. Personally, the explanation makes little sense ; a fort should have it's own dungeon, and it would add playability. Also, there are no pirates to fight, which is an easily fixed mistake (one sided builds reduce play options) Build There's a nice colour scheme, an original roof and a well positioned ladder, as well as a tall build make for an impressive structure, however the interior looks a little uninteresting ; I would add a few tables, barrels, maps and the likes. I would also consider making it possible to lift the staircase to add extra interior space. And finally, there could be a palm tree here and there ; the bushes already add some character to the build.
  15. Horation
    Great stuff, I really like the little cave and the bundles of foliage, but I will encourage you to add a little splash effect around the spot where the dolphin is jumping, it would look a lot better.
  16. Horation
    It's a really. really good MOC, I don't even feel like writing a full review because of how little there is that I can actually critique. I will say that the water is just too much, In my book there's an easy fix : remove that water and plop the bases on some light blue water like in official sets and there you go. I must also recommend using fewer circular shapes for the sand (light tan plates), it looks really artificial, other than that, good job!
  17. Horation
    I actually really like the tightness of the ship-it looks very Lego-y, but as @iragm said, those stairs look...meh. This is a situation where a ladder might really be the best option.
  18. Horation
    A great MOC Theme There's a clear story here, and it's done very well, but considering the size (and your talent), this really lacks play features ; there's a lot of space for defensive traps or for some technic feature to be added. On the plus side there's a lot of space which is used effectively and feels very lively (despite the mostly brown build) and a few hiding spots for the gold. But at the very least consider a few walls for defense near the undefended docks. Build The colours are done right, as the whole build is mostly brown and beige but doesn't feel drab or boring, there's quite a lot to do and all sorts of animals and plants are used well, I'll just say the sand is really excellent and the rockwork is either original or , but the whole build feels a little too good for an official set, I'd have personally gone for something smaller, like many of your remakes, but I understand this direction of yours.
  19. Horation
    A nice start, now some thoughts : The statue is really, really good, I mean you even managed to get play features in there! The details are nice, but I'd try to fill the gap under the statue's neck but above the skeleton jail ; a pirate might climb out! I like the bridge and the chief's hut, but I will warn you not to make the whole thing too large, as you might get carried away!
  20. Horation
    Quick question @MyFirstMOC-Hun, are those flowers at the top of the rocks in grey? It looks a little abnormal, will you consider making those flowers something like red or yellow, they'd pop out more and give some life to the build
  21. Horation
    A good fort-if a little drab Theme This part is done well, I see few play features, however, so I'd recommend something along the lines of a removable wall, a hiding spot, maybe a larger boat for the pirates to attack with? Also, there are too many minifigs per part for this to be an official set, remove a soldier and a pirate and it'll be more believable. I do commend the use of a modular fort style-it's very fitting for that wave of set. Build This part is done well, the colours work well for that period of time, there are ladders and spots to hold guns, and there are tons of details (especially the interior, which is excellent!). I will however point out a flaw which appears in the official sets : the whole thing lacks life, don't get me wrong, that's not unrealistic, but it is weird, as the only bit of light colour (other than white) is the little bit of green on those palm trees, if you want to increase the accuracy of your designs, add a colourful ship, or some more light green foliage, you'd need not use many parts, but It'd look great.
  22. Horation
    If this were a real set the aftermarket prices would be through the roof! Theme The play features are good, but I must suggest the use of an extra soldier and one fewer pirate-I just expect more soldiers than that in a fortress. As for the modular-ish aspect, good idea! Build A good choice of colours, with a nice variety despite the limitations. I think the walls are a little bland, even for the time, maybe a few pieces of that traditional foliage? But then again that's what castles used to look like so I guess that's ok. As for the docks and the surrounding areas, they work well, even with my modern eyes I see little for critique, but I'll recommend some extra cargo boxes and barrels to spice things up (and add a proper storage rack for muskets, please*). *or let me know where it is if I missed it!
  23. Horation
    Nice 1994 set, but truly brilliant presentation! Theme The play features are useful, with the treasure, animals, good variety of figures (this being an islander set, it's normal that there are more islanders than pirates) and of course, the excellent trap. I will however question the fact that the bridge doesn't go over water, even if real sets had that same problem. The presentation of the set in the form of a catalog entry is clever and well-done, it really reads like an era-accurate ad, so much so that this would confuse most of the forum if they were shown the pic out of context. Build The era-limited foliage is used thematically and adds to the mysterious allure of the palace. The colours are fitting and none of the details look anachronistic. The first rocky outpost in particular (with the trap), looks nice and none too blocky, though I must ask @BrynnOfCastlegate, are you going to remake those ears on the statue? They could use being a little pointier (instead of these strange curves on the side). I like the details, but I just wish there was something under the bridge, too. Finally I like the second outpost, but I just wish they both used the same shade of grey (light and dark grey don't mix together well like this). Overall, a really good result with few flaws.
  24. Horation
    Well, fair enough I guess, it's a shame that it's ineligible, because it's a thoughtful remake (my favourite to date!), I do commend your honesty-god knows how many builders would lie about such a thing.
  25. Horation
    Finally, a really good skull island! Theme Well, you didn't make it easy for yourself with a build centered on an age-old staple of pirates...but you delivered! The skull is well integrated into the background. I'll say right away that the forehead looks a bit weird to me (the way those two upper curves go down) and I think it should be straighter. There's quite a bit to like : hidden treasure, rocky ramparts, an opening skull, it's near perfection...but you didn't include a cannon. There's a lot of space on this island, slap a cannon on it! Any cannon will do! Build The rockwork is good, though a little too smooth for an official set, I think. The foliage is a good contrast to the skull, but I'd add a coconut (a tan head piece) on those trees. The sand is really good, especially as I hardly noticed the whole thing is basically a circle, I especially like how you smoothed the steps caused by slopes with small 1x1 corners. I like all the little details (that rampart is solidly integrated!) except for the little bridge ; it appears fragile, and I'd try to add a few plates and bricks under for stability, since it seems too focused on display and wouldn't work well with kids putting stuff on it. Finally, that ladder is great, original enough, and fitting for this build (I'm suffering from critic's fatigue and am sick of the regular ladder, even if I always push for it). Sorry for the novel- good builds are inspiring!
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