Review: 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops - Part #3 - Combinations
Posted by CapnRex101,
NINJAGO City sets are impressive alone, though they normally look even better when connected to others in the series. That appears particularly true for 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops, as this industry-focused design should complement its more densely-built precursors.
Additionally, this model has the unique advantage of including attachment points on all four sides, which provides some interesting options, especially with the temple island from 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens.
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The most obvious arrangement and maybe the intended one is chronological order of release, with the Workshops connected to 71799 NINJAGO City Markets. Unfortunately, I do not have space to present them all together in a row for photography, nor is that effective in this order because previous corner modules have only really functioned as corners, unlike this one.
NINJAGO City sets have not always linked as perfectly at the back as they generally do at the front. However, the transition between the Markets and Workshops is smooth, as the walkway beside the workshop continues seamlessly to that behind Chamille's shop in 71799 NINJAGO City Markets.
Furthermore, the ground level workshop in the new set is designed to accommodate an issue with its predecessor, where a gate element forming a roof extended beyond the baseplate, so would conflict with adjoining modules. A gap at the corner of the workshop building avoids this problem, again suggesting this is the intended arrangement on display.
There is a minor inconsistency between 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops and earlier models though. Elevated walkways have been shifted inwards by a stud, moving the attached railings within the baseplate. This is certainly not ideal, but was necessary for potential connections on every side of the Workshops to work and the change is subtle.
More important is an inconsistency at the back, as the walkway on the upper level is not really compatible with past sets in the series. You could modify 71799 NINJAGO City Markets, as its rear staircase roughly lines up with the walkway, although even that is awkward. However, this probably bodes well for future expansions, presumably continuing the walkway.
Moving to an alternative configuration, I think 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops works well to contrast with denser NINJAGO City models. The interruption of the mid-level walkway adds a nice change to the skyline, for example, although the Markets achieved something similar.
However, using the Workshops are a corner module is only one option. It also functions quite neatly in the middle of a row and definitely makes it easier to integrate the temple from 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens. This has been a challenge in the past because the temple and Zane's memorial can be overwhelmed by their bigger neighbours, but that is not such a problem with the Workshops.
The temple is not actually linked to the Gardens in these photos, although the combination still looks reasonable to me. Apart from anything else, this leaves ample room for the mech to slide into its deployment position without colliding with a wall or tree!
The projections on 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops line up exactly with platforms around the temple, although you may wish to add a couple of plates for steps between them. Also, a lily is found outside the Workshops and matches those growing near the temple island, so I think this is another arrangement the designers had in mind.
Linking the temple island to the Workshops arguably looks even better the other way around, partly because this also connects 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens. Minifigures could therefore cross between areas of the city via the temple.
Comparisons have been drawn between the Workshops and 70657 NINJAGO City Docks, as both are focused on industry and include lots of open space. They look nice together from the front, although even better from behind, where the water and dockside are near-seamless.
In fact, NINJAGO City Docks can be displayed backwards beside the Workshops if you prefer, taking advantage of arguably its better side. This does not really work with other models in the series or in a larger display, but it is a useful option.
The elevated walkways line up correctly in this configuration as well, although you will need to remove a railing and fill a small gap between sections. Navigation is harder at ground level, as those paths do not link up, so this design is best viewed from a distance.
Overall
Though not my favourite of the series when displayed alone, 71837 NINJAGO City Workshops is perhaps the most versatile addition to NINJAGO City yet. Its various connection points on all sides are a welcome feature, particularly to incorporate the temple island and present the entire series on one shelf. The inverted corner design is helpful in that regard too.
The upper level walkway continuing behind the shops is an odd feature, but presumably one to link with future sets. Otherwise, I think this model provides all the options I would like and looks impressive with any of its predecessors, although 71799 NINJAGO City Markets seems like the Workshops' most natural partner, as expected.
The previous parts of our review are available here:
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34 comments on this article
Thanks for the review!
I can't wait to try out the combos on my own. I find that where things line up leads to minifigure story telling.
As someone who has built plenty of custom modules, its great to finally see how it stacks up to the official ones, and now I need to try and figure out how to work them all in together. I just wish it wasn't another corner module.
I have a bad feeling many people will skip this one, thinking it's a lot worse than it actually is! That was my opinion too, at first, but it has changed quite fast. The set has a lot more going for it than against it.
It looks great, cannot wait to put all the 5 sets together.
My only concern are brown brittle bricks once I start to put the oldest sets after so many years together again...
This reinforces my original concern of it not adhering to Ninjago City "standards". The mismatched walkways are a problem.
If this series continues, I would like the sixth set to move away from the city side and perhaps have a dragon lair on the bottom with a temple on the top.
Great overview! It's fascinating how many different ways this set can be incorporated into the city, and of course the possibilities expand even further if you choose to build your own custom expansions. I'm particularly impressed how good it looks to the right of the markets or between the two larger corner modules.
I wonder if future sets might also include more varied layout possibilities than the usual "straight" and "corner" styles familiar to us from the Modular Buildings Collection. It'd be interesting to see what could be possible with a "T-shaped" module with walkway connections on three adjacent sides!
I always forget how good the Ninjago modulars look when joined together.
What about putting modules in front of each other. Yes, you miss out on seeing details but it creates an awesome skyline!
I love these Ninjago City sets but they’re way beyond my price limit!
Hopefully there’ll be a mini version - which I can afford…
I love the first layout. Unfortunately, I don't have a big enough shelf to display the sets like that.
Sometimes, like after this article, I wish I had bought these. My wallet, like most times, was otherwise okay with the decision.
Thanks for the review!
I do like the Workshops/Docks combo best.
Which means I'll buy it at some point.
With the tally at 4, I think it will look nice to just pair them and split them up.
Nice review. It definitely makes me eager to get the new one sooner rather than later.
It's amazing to me that Lego hasn't provided any good GWPs tied to spur the initial acquisition of these sets. Thus, I've waited until near the termination of each and scored them with serious discounts.
As I expected, it really does shine the most when it's with the others. The shape and size nestles it in nicely with the often larger buildings and really helps fill out the city.
Currently I have the Docks next the Garden's temple island. I plan to put this between the two with the Workshops attached to the Docks, and the mech facing the temple island.
Just looks like a jumbled mess no matter what way they all go
@Reventon said:
"Just looks like a jumbled mess no matter what way they all go"
Quite agree.
I had the first three displayed together, but when I decided to separate them out a bit it immediately looked much better.
Just like with the Modulars, individually they can just shine that important bit more.
This is a great review, and very helpful to my decision-making. Many thanks!
As a stand alone set is quite disappointing, but... paired with other modulars, it looks a nice add.
Man they look amazing when they are toghether. The new one actually ADDS ton to markets
How does it look between Docks and Markets?
they look like the Apocalypseburg city we never got.
@pedro_lego said:
"they look like the Apocalypseburg city we never got."
I wouldn't compare it to Apocalypseburg, myself — neon signs and billboards, colorful skyscrapers, and peaceful blue canals aren't really in keeping with that sort of post-apoc setting, where most larger buildings have crumbled and survivors have taken shelter in shantytowns built from whatever scraps they've been able to salvage from the wreckage. You could maybe adapt some of these sets into a post-apoc cityscape, but it'd take some serious modding.
@Yrraabb said:
"If this series continues, I would like the sixth set to move away from the city side and perhaps have a dragon lair on the bottom with a temple on the top."
Tournament Temple City is basically what you’re describing. Granted the bottom is an open cave, it could use easily become the lair of a dragon...just not the Source Dragon.
Together they look more complicated.
I’m sad that in not a single video or post about this set I’ve seen, they’ve used it as an inverted modular. I’m wondering if it would work out?
"However, this probably bodes well for future expansions, presumably continuing the walkway."
Aside from Ninjago City and Ninjago City Docks none of the Ninjago City sets really connect well together - as is quite obvious in the photos of this article if you look really closely. From Ninjago City Gardens onward the set designers have proven that they do not really care how the sets work with their predecessors aside from the two main walkways on the front and this is also true for the Ninjago City Workshops. So I don't think that there is anything boding well for future expansions.
Yeah, but how does it look next to 10243 Parisian Restaurant and 76218 Sanctum Sanctorum? ;)
@imaginos said:
"Aside from Ninjago City and Ninjago City Docks none of the Ninjago City sets really connect well together - as is quite obvious in the photos of this article if you look really closely. From Ninjago City Gardens onward the set designers have proven that they do not really care how the sets work with their predecessors (...)"
I have to agree. The first two are by far my favourite ones, both in how they combine and how much cool stuff the designers managed to put into them - the grill, the ATM, the vending machine... And I am really annoyed about the third one completely disregarding the need to continue the top walkway on its left-hand side.
I'm just gonna stick to the mini versions... I only have the gardens so far
I'm just gonna stick to the mini versions... I only have the gardens so far
I'm just gonna stick to the mini versions... I only have the gardens so far
I'm just gonna stick to the mini versions... I only have the gardens so far
I'm just gonna stick to the mini versions... I only have the gardens so far