Review: 71201 Level Pack: Back to the Future
Posted by CapnRex101,
Back to the Future is one of my favourite movie franchises and I was very excited when news broke that it would be featuring in LEGO Dimensions. I became even more excited when images of 71201 Level Pack: Back to the Future were released and it was revealed that a hoverboard element was included, something which was absent from 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine when that was released in 2013.
Although the hoverboard will probably be the greatest draw to this set for many potential buyers, I very much like the mini DeLorean too, far more so than I had expected. Unfortunately the video game aspect of the set is a little disappointing in my opinion, but read on and make your own judgement.
Box and Contents
All three level packs share this trapezoidal box design and they each feature some attractive artwork. This one shows Marty riding the hoverboard and playing his guitar while the DeLorean speeds onto the Lion Estates into the background. The DeLorean, hoverboard and Marty McFly toys are advertised in the centre along with the 'Hill Valley Time Travel Adventure' game level.
The back of the box exhibits the alternate builds for each model included. While the hoverboard models look fairly rudimentary, I was impressed to find that the DeLorean can be reconfigured to resemble its appearance in the third installment of the film series, as well as that in the first which is represented by the basic model. Instructions for both of the alternate models are available on LEGO.com.
Minifigure
This Marty McFly minifigure is the same as the one from 21103 The DeLorean Time Machine, although that works in its favour in my opinion as it could hardly be improved upon. The head features two expressions, one smiling and the other frightened while the dark brown hair piece matches the style in the movie quite nicely.
The torso is printed on the front and back with Marty's red jacket while his legs are blue, representing the jeans he wears for most of the first two films. He is equipped with a red guitar, like the Gibson ES-345 which he played at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. Unfortunately it is not printed so some details are lacking, but I think its colour clearly identifies it as a prop from the original movie.
All the LEGO Dimensions characters released so far come with a matching toy tag which is used to transfer the minifigure into the game. This one is printed with a blue and red design as well as the name Marty McFly in the Back to the Future font. Although this is a relatively simple design I think it works nicely and I look forward to getting the matching base from 71230 Fun Pack: Doc Brown, when that is released early next year.
The Completed Model
Both models included are excellent, some of the best of any Dimensions sets in my opinion. The hoverboard will probably be the outstanding element for most Back to the Future fans and it does not disappoint. The colour scheme and printing is absolutely perfect, as is the shape of the element which allows it to fit into a minifigure's hand as well as onto its feet.
The rest of this model is included simply to provide pieces with which you can rebuild the hoverboard. It looks fine and serves its purpose well but there is a notable lack of clutch on the two light bluish grey holder elements. The same problem was evident in 21109 Exo Suit so LEGO desperately needs to replace their moulding machine. Clearly its age has left it worn.
The DeLorean is the far superior model, with a fantastic level of detail all over. As you can see the rear section is suitably covered with mechanical detailing and closely resembles the nuclear reactor and radiators seen in the film. The only major inaccuracy is also apparent from this angle: the absence of bodywork behind the rear wheels. However, I don't think it looks bad without it and the eye is drawn towards the intricate detailing on top.
The bonnet doesn't recreate the sloping profile of a real DeLorean, but that would be impossible at this scale. Even so, the studs on either side of the windscreen imply a slight angle to me and the front looks fantastic, with a pair of headlights and a narrow radiator grille just like on the real thing.
Easily the most impressive and surprising feature is that the gull wing doors can open! Looking at the packaging now it seems fairly obvious, but I had no idea when I built the model so was delighted when it was complete.
Gameplay
I think the physical content of this pack is far superior to the digital. While the minifigure and models are excellent, the additional level which the set unlocks is incredibly short, with only just over twenty minutes of gameplay on my first run through! The adventure world accounts for this to some extent, although the twenty minutes of gameplay is totally unacceptable considering the cost of the pack.
The entire level is based on the first Back to the Future movie but unfortunately the balance of the plot is pretty dire, jumping from the opening scene in Doc Brown's workshop to the encounter with the Libyans at the Twin Pines Mall and finally to Marty's return to the future from 1955. The vast majority of the story is driven by long cut scenes and the subplot involving Marty's parents is omitted altogether.
However, it is fantastic to hear Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reprising their roles as Marty McFly and Doctor Emmett Brown respectively. In addition, the mechanics of the DeLorean's time travel works brilliantly, with a time and date display appearing as you journey from 1985 to 1955 and back. What little plot has been adapted is recreated quite well, it is just a shame that it is so limited in scope.
The adventure world is far better than the main level, allowing you to explore the entirety of Hill Valley and encounter plenty of familiar characters and locations from all three movies. Switching between 1985, 2015 and 1885 is a delight and there seem to be even more content to be discovered than there is in the Portal 2 Level Pack, an impressive feat.
Overall
It is a great shame that the gameplay lets down the physical content of this level pack. The DeLorean and hoverboard are two of my favourite models from the entire LEGO Dimensions range, but it is difficult to justify spending £29.99 or $29.99 on a level pack which offers less than half an hour of gameplay. The adventure world is far more impressive, but that will also be accessible with a cheaper set shortly when 71230 Fun Pack: Doc Brown is released in January.
If you are a fan of Back to the Future then the hoverboard element is a must-have, but I don't recommend the rest of the pack at full price. I advise either waiting until it is available at a reduced price or simply buying the hoverboard separately.
Video Reviews
You can take a trip back to the future with JANGBRiCKS in his video review of this set below.
Also, take a look at this video featuring JANGBRiCKS' gameplay footage which shows the level from start to finish. Cut scenes are abridged to avoid copyright violation.
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14 comments on this article
To be fair the subplot involving Marty's parents does involve hinted at time travelling familial relations and implied sexual assault so . . . That DeLorean is all kinds of cute though. Still too expensive.
Just in time for BTTF day!
:)
Nice review cap, on the subject of the open world you say "Switching between 1985, 2015 and 1885" - does that mean no 1955 in the open world, also does the alternate 1985 feature in the open world at all?
^ I'm afraid not. Perhaps they decided it would be too similar to 1985 in terms of both appearance and gameplay options.
I can't help wondering if the set number was chosen on purpose for this one. Reverse the number, and you'll find it starts with 1021 - or 10/21. As the world knows, the date Marty and Doc travel to in the future is 10/21/2015 - ie. tomorrow.
@ijackson very cool observation, reversing the set number to reveal back to the future day!!
"[...] there is a notable lack of clutch on the two light bluish grey holder elements"
I think this might be intentional, for whatever reason. 2011's 5761-1 uses two trans-yellow tiles behind them to provide friction, stopping the digger bucket from flopping down.
Since the market is for the hoverboard, I wonder what prices it will become in the aftermarket...
I don't plan on playing the game, who has time for that? So I think I will have to pass, especially since I already have Marty.
But it would be neat to explore Hill Valley.
The price......is......ridiculous.
I have no interested in the digital content, much prefer spending my time with real bricks. If only they brought these out as regular sets without the gameplay... The sets are really nice.
I guess I'll just have to wait until these go on clearance. I bet Bricklinking will not be that much better :-(
The level packs' prices seem to be some of the most controversial out of the LEGO Dimensions lineup. And it seems like that might be justified. The Fun Packs and Team Packs seem to be priced pretty fairly compared to other toys-to-life products on the market, especially since they seem to unlock more in-game content than you'd typically get from a similarly-priced Skylanders or Disney Infinity pack. But the Level Packs cost $5 more than the Team Packs but contain LESS physical content.
This would be alright if the bonus level were worth the difference in cost and physical content, but from what I've read in reviews, it doesn't seem that way. Depending on how this affects sales, it might be in the LEGO Group and WB Games' best interest to reconsider the pricing/content structure for future level packs.
Design-wise, though, this pack looks pretty swell! Love that the gull-wing doors actually work! It's a shame this review doesn't include any of the alternate vehicle/gadget builds. All the instructions for them are on LEGO Customer Service.
I've played in the Adventure World, and it is really fun, especially with a flying vehicle. Ninjacopter for the win!
But I think that if you want the adventure world rather than the level, the upcoming Doc Brown fun pack is a much better value.
Yeah, the physical content is pretty slim for the price. The DeLorean is also a pain in the neck to rebuild; I rebuilt it into the second model, and it was really difficult to get apart.
Just make a few models that are polybag-worthy, double the price for two levels where the only real reason to play is for nostalgia. and you have the LEGO Dimensions add ons!
Great review and happy Back to the Future Day :D