The early wave of Friends sets in 2022 has been stellar so far - every one has been fantastic. As previously noted, 2022 marks 10 years of the Friends sets. To celebrate, the LEGO Friends team sent copies of the 10-year celebration set, 41703 Friendship Tree House, as a gift to many recognised communities.
Brickset received a copy, and Huw was gracious enough to send it on to me. The Friends theme has had treehouses before, but nothing like this. I think if you buy just one Friends set in the early 2022 wave, that the Friendship Tree House should be it.
Since this is a special set, we may have some special guests in this review as well.....
LEGO has been producing models of brand stores to give away at store opening events since 2012, updating them every few years to keep them fresh and desirable.
The details we've been provided with are sketchy, but we believe this latest one, 40528, will replace 40145 next year as the gift with purchases exceeding $125 / €125 / £125 as and when new stores are opened.
It's an interesting and unusual looking set that depicts six Chinese traditions associated with the lunar new year and, in common with other CTF sets, is packed full of recoloured parts and a generous number of minifigs, 12 in this case.
I reviewed it without any knowledge of the activities it portrays or Mandarin, so I am indebted to Jay at Jay's Brick Blog for allowing me to quote information and translations from his review, which I encourage you to read if you'd like to know more about the scenes and traditions.
2022 marks ten years of the Friends theme and based on what we've seen so far, they're celebrating by having some fantastic sets. The largest set in the early wave is also the largest (and most expensive) Friends set that's been produced. It's 41704 Main Street Building, a modular style series of buildings that can be arranged in many different ways, and could arguably called the Friends version of Assembly Square. It has nine different scenes and eight minidolls, several of whom are new to Heartlake City. Friends fans have been asking for a modular for years.
Considering Friends has been a top selling theme for LEGO for years, I have one question: What on earth took so long? I doubt I'll get an answer to that, so let's take a look at this long awaited set. Settle in, this will be a long one....
Microfighters were introduced during 2014 and the collection has grown annually, although the pace of expansion has slowed! 75321 The Razor Crest Microfighter certainly appears interesting though, given the remarkable popularity of Din Djarin's gunship.
Unfortunately, the execution of this vehicle has provoked some concern because the shaping seems awkward, especially around the front where stud shooters are prominently situated. However, distinctive proportions and unusual design features sometimes enhance Microfighters, so this design could surpass expectations.
LEGO has been producing large sets that celebrate Chinese traditional festivals since 2019 and without exception they have been excellent: extravagant designs, full of recoloured and printed parts rather than stickers, generous numbers of minifigures, and when building and admiring them you get a sense that no expense has been spared.
80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival, which looks to continue this trend, is one of two that's now available in the UK and Europe.
Doctor Strange regularly encounters outlandish creatures, memorably including the threatening Shuma-Gorath! The appealing 76205 Gargantos Showdown instead provides another impressive monster, whose poseable tentacles appear very reminiscent of Shuma-Gorath.
This model features impressive detail and those tentacles appear excellent for display, given their extensive articulation. Furthermore, three exclusive minifigures are provided, including the newly-introduced America Chavez! This set therefore seems superb in every regard, especially given its price of £24.99, $29.99 or €29.99.
The early Friends wave is looking particularly strong! One of the more intriguing sets of the new wave is 41701 Street Food Market. While there have been many food-centric Friends sets in the past, this is a fresh new twist. A bonus with this set is that all three minidolls have two heads provided. This allows for some diversity in expression, which has been lacking in minidolls until now. There's plenty of other things to like about this set, too.
Battle Packs were conspicuously excluded from the LEGO Star Wars theme during 2021, despite consistent popularity. Thankfully, this appealing series returns during 2022. 75320 Snowtrooper Battle Pack has therefore inspired considerable anticipation.
The minifigure selection seems absolutely ideal, featuring three standard Imperial Snowtroopers alongside the exclusive Hoth Scout Trooper. Some enjoyable models are also provided, which potentially improve upon equivalent Battle Packs. However, such improvements are important because the price has notably increased.
The fourth series of Super Mario character packs will be released in January, bringing the total number of the colourful critters to 40.
The series appears to be more enticing than the last on account of it featuring more antagonists that have not been made before, rather than minor variations of existing ones. However, I suspect some of them are a bit obscure.
In this review I'll take a brief look at the plumber's friends and foes included in the selection, including their effect on gameplay.
Licensed series of Collectable Minifigures, which have become prevalent, sometimes overshadow traditional selections. However, that infrequency when compared with licensed minifigures might develop greater anticipation surrounding 71032 Collectable Minifigures Series 22.
Twelve minifigures are included, featuring many unique elements and portraying interesting characters. They originate from different sources, including fantasy and modern settings, while brilliant costumed minifigures are also supplied. This selection should therefore maintain the established excellence of Collectable Minifigures.
Following the launch of 75313 AT-AT, additional sets have been unveiled to reinforce the vehicle on Hoth. However, opposing Rebel troops seem rather scarce. 40557 Defence of Hoth therefore appears excellent as three Hoth Rebel Troopers are provided.
These minifigures introduce exclusive elements which improve upon previous troopers, while ample accessories are also provided. Moreover, the models feature extensive detail, closely resembling memorable weapons from Echo Base.
40558 Clone Trooper Command Station should certainly prove enjoyable, featuring minifigures which provide excellent army-building potential. Clone Troopers remain continually popular and the associated Clone Commander returns from 75309 Republic Gunship.
The accompanying models look reasonable too, while the generous selection of accessories represents a satisfying change from comparable Battle Packs. However, the presence of only three minifigures seems relatively disappointing.
LEGO has been producing Technic sets with pull-back motors for some years but the majority of them have prioritised playability over aesthetics and realism which has resulted in them having limited appeal to adults.
However, that's set to change next year with the release of two licensed vehicles, 42137 Porsche 99x Electric and 42138 Ford Mustang Shelby, the subject of this review, which both look great, and hopefully work well too.
Unusual vehicles appear consistently across the Monkie Kid theme. However, absolutely nothing resembles 80034 Nezha's Fire Ring, which looks incredible and displays exceptional construction methods! This creative driving function appears interesting as well.
Additionally, an excellent selection of characters is provided, including two intimidating antagonists alongside the exclusive Nezha minifigure. Appealing models accompany Lady Bone Demon and Evil Macaque too, which should assure impressive play value. Nevertheless, the spectacular Nezha's Fire Ring appears most exciting.
There's been a bit of a trend in the last few years that one of the Friends sets in the first wave includes Olivia with some kind of vehicle. Many times they're environmentally focused, like last year's 41443 Olivia's Electric Car. This year it's 41707 Tree Planting Vehicle. At $29.99, it's a little more expensive, and weighty, than previous vehicles. Let's take a closer look.
BrickHeadz were launched during 2016, offering an amazing collection of characters from unique sources. Something completely outlandish could therefore have celebrated this 150th BrickHeadz milestone, so Star Wars winning the vote was potentially disappointing.
Fortunately, I think 40539 Ahsoka Tano appears outstanding! The model avoids excessive reliance upon printed parts and faithfully recreates Ahsoka's colourful montrals, undoubtedly distinguishing this BrickHeadz design from others.
Yesterday I looked at positioning 10297 Boutique Hotel next to 10278 Police Station and 10270 Bookshop in the modular street. In the comments of the article you asked what it looked like lined up next to 10243 Parisian Restaurant.
So, I've dug it out, along with the architecturally similar 10211 Grand Emporium, so you can see for yourselves.
The first wave of 2022 Friends sets were revealed last week, and they look fantastic. It looks like Heartlake City is making some very positive changes. There's more diversity, both in gender and skintone, and there are some fresh takes on some subjects.
One of those is 41702 Canal Houseboat. There have been several boats in the Friends world, but this is the first houseboat to my recollection. Previous Friends boats have been very good, so I was very interested to see how this one would compare.
Six years after its introduction the BrickHeadz theme is still going strong and four additions to the range of blocky characters are being released in January, including 40540 Lion Dance Guy.
It's the fourth one that celebrates Chinese New Year, following on from 40354 Dragon Dance Guy, 40436 Lucky Cat, and last year's 40466 Chinese New Year Pandas.
It contains more pieces than any other single BrickHeadz set, so it's packed with elaborate details.
