UPDATE

I've been really busy for the last few months (Lego Event, trip to Berlin, The Force Awakens, studies etc.). This update should have been written earlier but I really didn't mean a letdown. I was working on a website for the hobby as it would give so much more opportunities than just the blog but getting everything working properly it not so easy - it would be my first website - anyway, I've not forgotten you guys, the fact that you've still been around means a lot to me :)
I will keep you updated
BTW I guess I'll give social media a try soon as well so check soon!
And nevertheless looking forward some posts here too, I have a few words to say about TFA.

New Poll

The new poll is on! Share your opinion about The Force Awakens sets. I will write a short overview and share my own opinion when the poll is done.

Poll Results

The poll about what would you like to see in this blog has ended. It seems reviews and MOCs were the most popular but there is interest for other things as well. So what you will get? First, I'd like to tell you the parts for my two next MOCs are on their way to Finland and as soon as they arrive, I'll build them and share you photographs and info. And what comes to reviews, my next The Collector's Pick review will be First Order Snowspeeder. In the future I'll focus on reviews and MOCs but won't forget Lego events, btw I'm participating in one this month, and I'll share you guides, tips and the most interesting international news and offers. You can share you're suggestions on the comments any time you want.

Review Day #1

Here you can read all three reviews I've written only on Bricks For Review. Enjoy!

75077 Homing Spider Droid

Design 8/10
Microfighters are quite comic what comes to design. As they must be minifig-sized and consist of about a hundred parts, the details can't be outstanding in the way they are in the UCS models. In the end it's not just a bad thing, personally I find microfighters fun. Nevertheless the design isn't the strongest point of the set.

Play features 8/10
You can move the legs and shoot a flick-fire missile. For AFOLs that's maybe not awesome but kids might have a good time when positioning the legs in some funny ways.

Value for money 8/10
Sometimes cheap sets betray us. You think it's not much money and when you get home you're like what on earth I did. I bought hundred tiny pieces of plastic for 13€ (RRP in Finland)! Luckily Microfighters have often discounts, at least here in Finland. You can get one for like 6€. Anyway, it's not waste of money even when it doesn't have a discount, the set's really fun.

Build 7/10
It was not the longest or the most epic build, but it was easy and fun. The legs were the most interesting part even the technic isn't new.

Parts 8/10
You get round grey parts, some tecnic parts and so on. Is it the set a MOCers are looking for? I don't think so. Or at least rarely.

Minifigs 7/10
Microfighters come with one minifig, this time a battle droid. It's the Geonosian version even TLG doesn't mention that. It's better than another standard battle droid, but it's not something totally new.

Need 7/10
It's a fun set to have but no way a must-have. It's not the first homing spider droid but it's the first microfighter homing spider droid.

75085 Hailfire Droid

Box art

Hailfire droid

Hailfire droid's wheel

Clone trooper lieutenant and two super battle droids

Design 7/10
It reminds the earlier version of the hailfire droid in Hailfire Droid  Spider Droid (#7670). The biggest update is replacing the buildable wheels with large, printed wheel parts. Now the droid can move faster but personally I preferred the older look.

Play features 7/10
You can roll the hailfire droid into battle. What comes to weapons you can shoot spring-loaded shooters and flick-fire missiles. They're maybe fun for kids but personally I'm not a huge fan of either one.

Value for money 8/10
I bough the set from Lego Store Berlin for 23 euros and that was a nice deal. The set is small but really interesting even Hailfire droid is not a totally new thing at all.

Build 8/10
The build was really fast and I had no problems. Personally I find standard building enjoyable but if you're looking for challenges, this may not be the best set.

Parts 8/10
The wheel parts are the most interesting. As they are printed they may not fit for every MOC but can be really useful anyway. There are some technic parts too.

Minifigs 8/10
We get three minifigs. The clone trooper lieutenant has appeared only in a polybag so it was quite an odd choice and maybe a disappointment for polybag collectors. But for us who don't have the poly, it was really welcome, kinda exclusive. Then we get two super battle droids that are great for army building.

Need 6/10
It's quite similar with the earlier version as I said before. The minifigs have appeared before, even the lieutenant only in a polybag. For someone who missed the earlier version, this is a great opportunity.

75081 T-16 Skyhopper

Box art

The vehicle, T-16 Skyhopper

Skyhopper pilot, Tusken raider and womp rat

Design 8/10
Sometimes it feels like anything from the original trilogy looks epic. I can't say this is the most famous one from the movies as we only see Luke playing with the scale model. Still there's something very iconic and afterall something unique. It doesn't remind pretty much any other vehicles in the galaxy far, far away. Maybe the idea is a little bit similar with Droid Tri-Fighter, which was created after Skyhopper as it appeared in the prequel trilogy. Anyway, the design is good. I don't say outstanding but it catches pretty well the shape of the scale model Luke had.

Play features 8/10
You get two minifigs, a womp rat and a cool vehicle. Even Skyhopper is not full of play features, it gives you the chance to fly it around like Luke did. And what else would you need to have a great play?

Value for money 8/10
The best thing is the remake of a Tusken raider. It's simply awesome as it's full of details. It makes us ask "why only one?" as it's so great that I wouldn't mind owning at least five of them. The vehicle itself doesn't make an awesome value but not terrible either.

Build 7/10
It was a fast build and as you can guess the wing part was repetitive. I had no problems and I'm sure it's an easy one to build even for kids and beginners.

Parts 7/10
There aren't any outstanding parts but all the parts are pretty useful for MOCs. I don't say it's a MOC builders dream but not a nightmare either.

Minifigs 9/10
As I mentioned earlier, the Tusken raider is the highlight of the set. Skyhopper pilot is a cool new fig and kinda needed as we get his vehicle.

Need 8/10
It's a standard Lego set. It's not the biggest must-have or the worst fail, it's something I wasn't looking for but didn't mind getting. Especially when it was over 50% off.

Padawan or Badawan? What Did The Yoda Chronicles Bring Us part #1

He's definitely a Padawan, not a Badawan.

Some AFOLs might find The Yoda Chronicles childish and that's why I'll take a closer look at some fun or funny things that has something to do with the serie, haha.

The Yoda Chronicles introduced us an interesting term, Badawan. Badawans are the apprentices of Sith lords. Badawan is such a simple joke in the end but still I have to admit it's quite clever.

Stormtroopers? Here?

During the countdown to The Force Awakens movie I'll share some random photographs I've taken that have to do something with the original trilogy. Here we have two stormtroopers so should I say like C-3PO said in The Empire Strikes Back...
Stormtroopers? Here?

Microfighter Homing Spider Droid Review

I reviewed microfighter Homing Spider Droid. Read my review

Hailfire Droid Review

I reviewed Hailfire Droid on my other blog bricks-for-review.blogspot.fi
Read it from here

The Collector's Pick In Review: Rey's Speeder #75099



Rey's Speeder #75099 box

Box art

Box contents, icludes a sticker sheet too

Bag 1 assembled



Bags 1+2 assembled

Rey's Speeder

The minifigs, Unkar's Thug and Rey

Rey



Unkar's Thug

Design 9/10
For such a small set the design is pretty good and accurate. The trailer hasn't shown us all details but the main shapes have been caught well. The speeder doesn't look childish, I can't yet say Disney ruined it.

Play features 7/10
It's a play set but such a small. Nevertheless it includes interesting minifigs and a cool vehicle. The speeder has a few features but an AFOL might not find the features outstanding.

Value for money 7/10
I got it for 20€ from Stockmann. But the RRP in Finland is 30€ so that doesn't make a great value. You get cool stuff but not enough to make it worth 30€.

Build 7/10
The build was really fast. It was standard building, very easy and no problems. For an AFOL it's a piece of cake, possibly for such a small kid too.

Parts 8/10
I'm not amazed by the parts included but can't call them a disappointment. Standard and some interesting bricks, but a bit pricey to buy for MOCing.

Minifigs 9/10
There are two minifigs included, Rey and Unkar's Thug. They have many cool details and printings.

Need 9/10
It would be 10/10 if The Force Awakens would have come up but as it hasn't, I wasn't really needing something I know almost nothing about. Well, at least it's something new.


Lego Star Wars History, part 1: The 'Golden' Age Of The Clone Wars

rocket battle droid and rocket battle droid commander

Some of us just try to forget the whole Clone Wars theme and hope Lego won't make more. But was it that bad? Even some sets didn't make OT (the original trilogy) fans shout for joy, it possibly brought us something nice as well. Let's have a look at the tops and flops of the Clone Wars and then we can make up our minds whether it was good or bad.

2008 - Starfighters and gunships

I had collected some sets earlier, but this was the year I really understood where I was going. It wasn't the best time getting into Lego world: the golden year of 2005 was far behind and the big modern era was yet to come.

I picked up Anakin's Jedi Starfighter (#7669). I was quite happy with it as I really wanted to get the Anakin minifig. Today when it's compared it to the other starfighters, even to Ahsoka's starfighter (#7751) which was released one year later it look a bit poor. But it was not all bad, I truly respect is as one good step in getting into LSW.

Then we'll talk a bit about the droid sets: Hailfire Droid & Spider Droid (#7670) and (#7681) Separatist Spider Droid. They're no way iconic or epic, but they were a great boost for droid army collecting. And at least they weren't total flops as TLG has made remakes of both sets.

2009 - The set I always wanted

Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser (#8039) is the set I always wanted. I looked at it in every shop and catalogue, was really impressed, even took part to some draw to win it. But the price tag was too big in my mind. Ironic, when I bought it last year I paid 50€ extra. I was so exited when I saw it in a Finnish online shop. I had bought Super Star Destroyer just weeks ago but was like I can't miss the chance. And? Now it's lying around half-assebled as it came with a minor quality issue in one brick and I've not yet ordered a replacement. So the set you always wanted may not be the set you'll enjoy the most.

It's was a droid year too. We got a vulture droid, corporate alliance tank droid, hyena bomber and so on. The best droid related set was AAT (#8018). The tank looks pretty impressing and who would not want to get a Clone Wars Yoda, haha?

Republic Drpopship with AT-OT Walker (#10195) was another highlight I missed. I got it this year and I'm really impressed by the AT-OT walker even it'll be in trouble if it gets bombed.

2010 - The year of the Turbo Tank

2010 didn't bring us loads of outstanding sets. The most impressing is (#8098) Clone Turbo Tank. I must say it looks impressing.

Cad Bane's Speeder (#8128) was an interesting one as well. It brought us bounty hunters and senate commandos. The set was a bit pricey, though.

2011 - The video game

Lego Star Wars III The Clone Wars was released in 2011. It was full of extra levels and everything but only one level about the movie! I understand the movie was old and forgotten and the TV serie was going on but still it was a bit odd.

There were many Geonosis sets, two battle packs but nothing very memorable. The video game kinda stole the attention even it could've been better.

2012 - Malevolence is here

Only five Clone Wars related sets were released. The most impressing must be Malevolence (#9515) even it came kinda late as it appeared in the first season on The Clone Wars.

I don't say the rest of the sets were flops but they weren't mind blowing must-haves. We got a battle pack, another starfighter, a Geonosis set again and a Mandalorian theme set.

2013 - Umbaran flops

Three Umbaran related sets were released in 2013. I can still find them from shops so they have been a flop at least here in Finland. It's not a surprise as they weren't the most awesome sets and the TV serie wasn't shown here anymore.

2014 - Less sets means less disappointments

Coruscant Police Gunship (#75046) was an okay set and shock trooper were a great add. The Clone Wars was pretty much a gone theme so there's not much to say about it.

2015 - That's it

Only one set has been released so far and I don't think there will be more. So that's it.

T-16 Skyhopper Review

I reviewed T-16 Skyhopper on my other blog bricks-for-review.blogspot.fi
Read it from here

Review Update

Reviews, reviews, reviews...

I have two blogs, this one you're reading at the moment (battledroidbricks.blogspot.fi) and one where I'll share all my reviews (bricks-for-review.blogspot.fi). I will post all my reviews of new sets to both blogs. My reviews of old sets will be posted to bricks-for-review.blogspot.fi but always when I have a new review on Bricks For Review, I'll post here a quick update and link. So don't worry, you won't miss any reviews if you follow only this blog. Any questions can be posted on the comments.

Bricks For Review

The Collector's Pick In Review: Darth Vader #75111

Box art

Four bags (not numbered)



So this time I'm going to review Darth Vader battle figure. I got it from BR for 27,95€. Darth Vader is maybe the most epic SW character ever and I must say, I was really impressed by this battle figure.

Design 8/10
The battle figure looks very impressing and epic and reminds a lot Darth Vader from the movies but it was not too easy to get Vader balanced.

Play features 8/10
Battle figures are meant to be played with so this is important. Even I didn't actually play with it, I found that the figure doesn't break easily. It can hold lightsaber a few different ways and get a match against Luke Skywalker. But not any WOW features either.

Value for money 9/10
It's something new and interesting and it's big enough. But I don't recommend buying this for the parts unless you have a crazy good idea as there are only technic and not-so-useful exclusive parts.

Build 8/10
It was such a fast build. For me this was first build that contained like only technic stuff so it was interesting and fun. It was not completely new thing as TLG has produced LSW technic builds before.

Parts 7/10
It's not very easy to use most of the parts for system stuff but on the other hand there are crazy many exclusive parts. And if you are an experienced builder I'm sure you can come up with some new ways to use these parts.

Minifigs
Does not include minifigs

Need 9/10
It's something new and fresh, cool and imperessing. Looks awesome when displayed.

The Force Awakens Sets And Star Wars Battle Figures Available

Coming up today: Darth Vader Battle Figure review

As the title says The Force Awakens sets and Star Wars battle figures (also called as buildable figures) are available from S@H and many toy shops. May the Force be with you.

 

 

What Comes To Lego, The Force Awekens The Day After Tomorrow

As you all know Lego Star Wars The Force Awakens sets and Star Wars battle figures will be available from the day after tomorrow. I'll order some for reviews.

It's a bit funny The Force Awakens sets will be here as the the movie is coming in December but they just wanna make money as much as they can, you know, haha. Why do we buy sets when we've not seen the movie? Well, maybe someone wants to get some clues about the movie and someone just says "I don't really care about the movie, but come on, it's Lego Star Wars".

Have a fun Force Friday everyone!