As we have discussed earlier (see links at the end of this post), two new LEGO Minecraft sets have been release recently; the #21105 LEGO Minecraft Micro World The Village, and the #21106 LEGO Minecraft Micro World The Nether. I have been playing around with both of them, and thought to share my opinion and experiences with these two LEGO Minecraft sets. 🙂
As you probably know already, the first LEGO Minecraft set was a fan-submitted idea on LEGO CUUSOO, which, after reaching 10,000 votes, became an official LEGO product – very popular with both LEGO and Minecraft fans. So much so, in fact, that it has sold out several times, and is still hard to find anywhere besides the Online LEGO Shop.
The two new LEGO Minecraft sets are the same size, and built in the same modular fashion, as the original one. The idea with all of the LEGO Minecraft sets is to build your own world in the same way as you would do in the game. The three sets can be mixed and matched as you wish, creating and expanding your Minecraft world. Whether LEGO will continue adding new sets to the series is unknown at this point, but even with these three sets (especially if you can get multiple copies) you can build some serious Minecraft landscape.
Between the three LEGO Minecraft sets I like the #21105 LEGO Minecraft Micro The Village the most. It is similar to the first #21102 LEGO Minecraft Micro World set but with some additional features. The four modules within the set can still be configured in any way you wish, and the top sections are also removable and re-configurable in any way you like. There are also a couple of clever features where portions of the walls can be removed or blown out. 🙄
The colors in the LEGO Minecraft Village are fantastic! Even if you are not a Minecraft fan, it is worth getting this set just for the unique small pieces. For example, there are 67 dark-green 1×1 tiles and 25 dark-tan 1×1 tiles that are only available in this set! And the other 1×1 tiles and small pieces are also pretty rare and hard to find.
There are also some things that I believe could be improved on. Most of these are minor issues that can be fixed easily, but still I wanted to point them out, so you know what to expect. As I have mentioned, the top sections of each module can be removed and re-arranged. The tops are held on only by two studs, and because of this, they can fall off easily. I believe there should be four exposed studs per module, so that the tops can stay on more securely, while still remaining removable. I have tested this out myself and it works much better.
The modules are held together by Technic pins. Three of the modules come with pin-holes on three sides, but one of them only on two sides. The result of this is that if you connect the four modules in the set, they are only held together by three pins, making the whole assembly wobbly. It would have been much better if all four modules come with pin-holes on three sides, allowing the use of four pins per set. I have tried this out and it works much better, and the modules can still be easily disconnected. I’m not sure why LEGO designers went with using only three pins (although a fourth one is included in the set).
The last thing I would like improved is the box itself. It is a very nice and sturdy box, and you can store in it the instructions, extra parts, as well as the set – either assembled or disassembled. What I don’t like is that the box has no flap to close it down; so you would either have to use a piece of tape (which could rip off the nice design), or would have to leave the box open. Why design such a nice box, when it can’t be closed and actually used as a storage box? How much would it have taken just to add a small flap and a slit to shut the box tight? With some cheap toy I wouldn’t mind, but LEGO is expensive, and LEGO Minecraft is a particularly niche product, so little things like this should be paid attention to. Below is the video-review by Nannan, who will show you the set in more detail:
As far as the #21106 LEGO Minecraft Micro World The Nether set, it also comes with a wonderful range of colors. The 1×1 bright-light-orange tiles are unique to this set, and 25 of them are included! And I have to say that the dark-red in this set is absolutely gorgeous! Dark-red is a LEGO color that comes with its own problems; mainly too many variations, even within one set – some are darker, some are lighter, and some are even slightly translucent… but not in this set! Here you get a great variety of dark-red elements in a deeply rich and totally consistent color. If you like dark-red, you will love this set!
There are some things here as well that could be improved on. The LEGO Minecraft Nether has the same problem as The Village as far as only 3 pins connecting the modules, leaving the full assembly somewhat wobbly. However, again, an extra pin is included, so with some modification you could convert the modules to connect with four pins.
Also, in this set, the tops are not removable. Each module is one solid block. This makes them much less interesting with very limited options for reconfiguration. I’m really not sure why LEGO designers went into this direction. I have read/watched at least three reviews where people were disappointed about the same thing. They could have easily built almost the same set with removable top sections (in fact I will likely do that). One interesting feature of the solid tops though is that they are smaller (4×6 studs) than the bottoms (6×6 studs). This creates a gap when you connect The Nether modules to other modules within the series (like The Village). The result of this is that if you create a whole landscape, your Micromob characters can sort of fall into The Nether world – which is kind of appropriate, as technically speaking The Nether supposed to be underground – with a portal as the only way to reach it. Anyway, you can figure that out. 😈
The box has the same issue; no flap to close it, but other than that, this is a very nice and unique addition to the LEGO Minecraft series. Below is the video-review by Nannan, who will show you the set in more detail:
I hope this review helps you a bit on deciding if LEGO Minecraft is for you. And one more thing; if I could buy only one LEGO Minecraft set, that would be the #21105 LEGO Minecraft Micro World The Village – it is the most interesting and well-developed amongst the three sets. And of course if you can get all of them that’s even better! I do recommend them all; they are very unique, very niche, and the pieces you get with each set are rare and highly useful. And, if you want to go for a Minecraft fan’s dream get extra ones! That way you could build awesome worlds like the one below! 😀
And if you would like to check out the LEGO Minecraft sets, you can visit the Online LEGO Shop for the full selection:
So what do you think? How do you like the LEGO Minecraft series? Do you have any of the sets already? What is your opinion on them? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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