Finally cleared out my backlog. After getting back into Lego last year, here's my ratings of the sets I've done so far:
Mighty Bowser
Build Experience — A: the only reason it's not an A+ is due to unavoidable repetition. (two symmetrical arms, two symmetrical legs) Easily the best building techniques of the sets I've done so far though. Engaging build throughout. Rock solid. No stickers.
Display Value — A+: it looks perfect!
Play Value — A+: it's the only set I'm grabbing off the shelf and bothering my wife/dogs with. (after removing the fireball, of course) It really is like a big puppet. Functions perfectly. I don't have any other Lego Mario stuff to test, but really cool that it has functionality with that system.
Value for Money — B: the big caveat of this set. It's expensive for sure. Prohibitively so. If they axed the base and got the cost down to $200 I could see it being way more popular. Money being no object though it's my favorite set as of now.
Galaxy Explorer
Build Experience — B+: a couple finicky bits, but it's a fun set to see take shape. Deceptively quick build. Some interesting techniques. No stickers.
Display Value — B: it's huge! And looks great! The big problem is how the heck to display it. I'm still figuring it out, actually. Think I'll build a stand for it. It's ideal if you can keep it on a desk or table. But for a shelf? Can't just drop the landing gear. It needs… something.
Play Value — A: it's a big ass spaceship. I would've gone crazy for this as a kid.
Value for Money — A+: Amazing value at $100 and that's what I'm basing this score off of. For the $40 I paid for it? It's peerless.
Medieval Blacksmith
Build Experience — B+: some finicky bits. (that tree…) Some monotonous bits. (some of the base and that tree…) But mostly great! Really enjoyed many of the techniques used like how the roof came together. Modularity works perfectly. Changed my mind on building structures if I'm being honest. Wasn't super interested in them, but this has more variety than I expected. Oh yeah and no stickers.
Display Value — A: looks fantastic from every angle. It's so good! Perfect size for a shelf. The only quibble I have is that it would've been nice to have definitive places for the minifigs and especially the horse cart. Would've been nice if there was a place on the base where it looked good "parked." But oh well, it's awesome!
Play Value — A: again, modularity is perfect. Comes with some neat minifigs and A DOG! I wasn't super into medieval theme as a kid, but I would've thought this was darn cool!
Value for Money — A: I think this went up to $180 but can still be found regularly for $150. Basing it on the latter, it's a stupidly good value.
Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine
Build Experience — B: lots of Technic. If you're a fan, you'd score this higher. But it is necessary for the most interesting part of the build: the BttF 2 transformation. Otherwise, it's very much a car with things attached onto it. There's a couple of bits of trim in the rear that can be swiveled at will. Found it weird they couldn't come up with a way to anchor them better.
Display Value — B+: it's a vehicle, but it's an amazing looking vehicle. It's also one you can choose to display in three different configurations. Super cool. Biggest problem is the lack of stand. Building/buying one like the MOC I previously posted brings the set to a way higher level. They really should've included one. I'm not a minifig guy, but I love these two.
Play Value — B+: again, it's a car! If you wanna play with a car I struggle to think of a cooler one. Again, three different configurations is great. No steering, but I don't see how they would be able to pull it off with the transformation.
Value for Money — B: at $170 it's fine. Price increase to $200 is pushing it. When you have a set like the Discovery shuttle going for the same price it becomes a much tougher sell. At that price it becomes exclusively a set for BttF fans. (which I am one — this is the set that finally broke me and got me back into Lego)
Horizon Tallneck
Build Experience — C: I didn't have a great time putting together the base. Tons of little parts going into specific places. The Tallneck itself is… fine to build. Nothing terribly interesting. Everything is a sticker, zero prints.
Display Value — B+: looks great on display! It commands attention. Maybe just a touch busy. But yes, this is why you buy this set.
Play Value — C: Tallneck doesn't do so hot when it's not on its base. Lacks articulation. But hey, the Aloy minifig is cool! And the Watcher complete with the different colored lenses is a great addition.
Value for Money — A: it's sub-$100 for something that looks amazing on display. It's tough to fault the pricing here unless you place a higher value on play experience. But if you're just looking for a cool Lego… thing to build and put on display it's amazing for even non-fans of the IP. (I mildly enjoyed ZD, have no intention of playing FW)
Optimus Prime
Build Experience — C-: almost dropped this to a D, but since nothing was too annoying and nothing has actually fallen off that would be too harsh. But with that said, there's nothing too interesting here which is odd considering the gimmick. And it's that gimmick that I believe is the downfall of this set. Where Bowser feels rock solid, this feels like it could topple over or fall apart at any moment. Things are very loose — especially the torso. Makes the whole kit lean wherever it wants. They really should've figured out ways to click/lock things into place. There was also one part where I used the wrong color block making it so I needed to do a fair bit of disassembly to correct. Normally Lego does a good job of keeping similar parts in different bags, shouting out what's needed in the instructions, or using different colors for interior builds. This was confusion between dark gray and black if memory serves. Not a piece that is visible with the final build or anything. And then there's a straight up misprint with the leg detail sticker placement in the instructions. (easy fix, you just rotate the piece 180 but still) The level of care/design put into this set is definitely lower than the rest of this list.
Display Value — C-: it's big. And it looks ok from afar. It's when you get close that it looks clumsy. And it's not very posable. Lack of articulation in the legs is a big problem. It's difficult to make it look natural. Actually it's kind of impossible to make it look natural. This one should live on your highest, least visible shelf.
Play Value — C+: it transforms. You'll probably only do it once because again, it's clumsy, but it transforms. And that's cool! And the accessories are good! Again, poor articulation will hinder how much fun you can have with this.
Value for Money — D+: hey, at least it's not $200. But I do admit that I regret this purchase. Nostalgia was strong with this one, but this isn't anywhere close to the Transformers I remember. It's disappointing. And it makes me rethink wanting Voltron if I can find one at a reasonable price. Honestly, this is one that I may look into a MOC build for. Or if there are mods that correct some of the issues. But yeah, as a straight build I don't think I can recommend it to anyone.
And with my Lego backlog clear I can start focusing on Gunpla. My bro got me my first kit for Xmas and I've been looking forward to building more and getting into customizing. Yay for more plastic crack!
