2017 Minecraft

Greendude

Not sure if this has been commented on but are the 2017 Minecraft sets based on Minecraft Story Mode?  The set titles appear to reflect scenes from that particular game.

JudgeChuck

I haven't seen anything yet that gives much away about the 2017 sets, just the set numbers and names, which we already knew.

I'll post them again, just so that they're here for reference:

#21129 The Mushroom Island
#21130 The Nether Railway
#21131 The Ice Spikes
#21132 Jungle Temple
#21133 Witch House
#21134 Secret Waterfall Escape
#21135 {?}
#21136 {?}

I haven't played Minecraft Story Mode myself, as it doesn't particularly appeal to me, so perhaps someone who has done so could comment?

I would say that about half of the announced sets represent normal Minecraft biomes / features, while The Nether Railway, Secret Waterfall Escape and The Ice Spikes certainly could be representative of Story Mode areas, but I'm betting they'll be based on the standard game and will allow expansion of current areas.

The Mushroom Island - New biome (Mushroom Island!)
The Nether Railway + The Nether Fortress + The Wither - The Nether biome
The Ice Spikes + The Snow Hideout - Snow biome
Jungle Temple + The Jungle Tree House - Jungle biome
Witch House - New biome (Swamp)
Secret Waterfall Escape + ?? - Unknown biome

Greendude

The secret waterfall escape especially has me thinking of Story Mode.  The set name alone makes it seem like a "scene" rather than a biome.

JudgeChuck

^Yes, possibly, but "The First Night", "The Farm" etc. don't specifically refer to a biome, per se.
You're right, though, "Secret Waterfall Escape" does sound more story-driven than the others.
It'll be interesting to see what TLG come up with.

VorpalRyu

Well, if that's the case, looks like we might be able to give a few sets a miss then...

JudgeChuck

Well, if there are any Story Mode sets and they are completely incompatible with or illogical in relation to normal Minecraft, then I'll reserve judgement... Otherwise, I'll probably be getting them all.

JudgeChuck

I posted this in the "Leaks" thread, but it seems appropriate to re-post it here in the dedicated thread for Minecraft 2017 sets:

Regarding the 2017 Minecraft sets, #21129 The Mushroom Island and #21130 The Nether Railway look pretty weak, build-wise, but I really like the look of #21133 Witch House and #21134 Secret Waterfall Escape, especially, and #21132 Jungle Temple could be interesting.
I haven't quite made my mind up about #21131 The Ice Spikes, but it does have a baby cow! :-)
The Nether Railway does contain both a large and mini Magma Cube, which is nice and we also get another Zombie Pigman, which is more than welcome.
The Mushroom Island has another Mooshroom and a baby Mooshroom and the giant Mushrooms look nice, so not all bad.
Witch House has a Witch, of course, as well as 3 Slimes, both of which are excellent news.
Waterfall Escape seems to have a fishing rod and fish, as well as a Tuxedo Cat (tamed Ocelot) and, finally, a blue Sheep, which looks a little odd in the picture, with the naturally-coloured back! I also like the potion bottles.

To answer the questions we were posing earlier, none of these look to be specifically Story Mode-related, unless I am missing something.

Also, Secret Waterfall Escape looks to be set in a standard Plains, or similar, biome.

Overall, I'm really looking forward to these sets! :-)

TheLegoMaster35

Where did you find the pictures of the sets? 

JudgeChuck

^A link was posted in the "Leaks" thread... I won't repost it here, in case BS Admins decide to remove it.

JudgeChuck

JangBricks has just posted a review of #21134 Secret Waterfall Escape on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z35znzZh4_U

Heaven alone knows how he has managed to get hold of it so early!

SeanTheCollector

^ I'm pretty sure he gets sent free copies of upcoming sets to review.

fourstud

SeanTheCollector said:

^ I'm pretty sure he gets sent free copies of upcoming sets to review.

Check his newest haul video, he just bought most of the March releases from his local Toys R Us. I don't think JANG is like that and if he is, dunno why he wouldn't tell us 

JudgeChuck

Yes, there was a previous TrU haul video, which explains where he got them.

@CM4S is correct, Jang buys all the sets that he reviews himself. He's quite clear about this.

SeanTheCollector

^ Wow! I stand corrected :)

flord

^^^Same thing with Brick Show. The new Minecraft are out at TRU.

fourstud

flord said:

^^^Same thing with Brick Show. The new Minecraft are out at TRU.

Except LEGO does send them sets. 

flord

^ What I meant was they are available for purchase and that Brick Show had at least bought some of them.

tallblocktoo

That secret waterfall is awesome. 

JudgeChuck

I still haven't found time to watch Jang's review yet, but the set does look interesting. Can't wait for the 2017 sets to be released over here! :-)

JudgeChuck

Another review posted. This time for #21134 Jungle Temple:

https://youtu.be/dnhQDf5R1Lg

SeanTheCollector

I definitely want all the new Minecraft sets but i really need to be patient and wait a few months since they always get discounted heavily later! :)

JudgeChuck

One more, #21130 Nether Railway:



I've managed to catch up and watch all the reviews and I'm really looking forward to getting this series of Minecraft sets.

I also noticed for the first time that the Brickset database has added names for the two additional sets, #21135 The Crafting Box 2.0 and #21136 The Ocean Monument, so that's another couple of sets to look forward to!

SeanTheCollector

@JudgeChuck Also listed now is a third additional set #21137 "The Mountain Cave" which I'm guessing is the $109.99 set. :)

JudgeChuck

I'm going to have to hope the other half takes the girls to France during the summer holidays again, so that I can take over the dining room table for another epic LEGO Minecraft display! ;-)

SeanTheCollector

Check out The Brick Show video for #21136 "The Ocean Monument" set:
https://youtu.be/wqpD3jxxqqU
Can't wait to get my hands on it! :D

fourstud

That looks like maybe the worst set LEGO has ever made.

SeanTheCollector

@CM4S Worse than #75098 Assault on Hoth? No way! :)

I think there is something interesting happening in the monument. Lets wait until more info is available on the set. In any case, I'm totally hooked on the Minecraft theme and will be getting all the new sets at some point.

JudgeChuck

^^^ I have to agree that I'm not immediately taken by #21136 The Ocean Monument, but I'll wait until we see more of what's contained within and it's great that they're adding some submarine sets to the theme.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what #21137 The Mountain Cave looks like!

Just to continue, here are Jang's reviews for #21131 The Ice Spikes and #21129 The Mooshroom Island:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsNlq7Htypc&list=PLprPXqd7y-iU1Bw1SHcx161pXLzBNtfCj&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve2QPIKRmh4&list=PLprPXqd7y-iU1Bw1SHcx161pXLzBNtfCj&index=1

Brickfan50

I'm really looking forward to #21130. If only for the great selection of new parts.  Will probably buy 2 sets

Brickfan50

i like Minecraft because it's so blocky, just basic LEGO with a twist. 

SumoLego

CM4S said:

That looks like maybe the worst set LEGO has ever made.

It's probably true to the subject matter, but it looks like a box made of 2×4 bricks.  I would probably say - a set with the least amount of design work.

Shib

This is exactly why I struggle with the minecraft theme. I'm not a minecraft fan so can't comment on accuracy to source, but seeing sets like that and I really can't see what makes it worth buying.

If I had kids who were into minecraft I'd bricklink a couple of minifigs/accessories and just buy bulk bricks...tada instant minecraft supplies

thedingman5

Minecraft LEGO came out at the same time I emerged out of my dark ages.  My boys love Minecraft, so we collect it and enjoy it.  It takes me back to my youth given the blockiness, etc.  I hear a lot of comments about it not being "sophisticated", etc. and it made me curious.  Now, I find myself saying "well, that's cheating" when I build modern sets with all the curves, etc.  I know its "old man yells at cloud", but I didn't realize just how much LEGO had changed from my youth (late 70's) until I clicked through on this:

http://brickset.com/parts/category-System-Bricks-With-Bows-And-Arches

We take these for granted now, but there are 800+ elements...NONE of them existed until 1991.  

Minecraft, then, really is a throwback.

Lyichir

SumoLego said:

CM4S said:

That looks like maybe the worst set LEGO has ever made.

It's probably true to the subject matter, but it looks like a box made of 2×4 bricks.  I would probably say - a set with the least amount of design work.

I wouldn't necessarily go that far, especially not before reviews of the set come out. While visually it's definitely blocky (as is typical and necessary for the theme), it seems like it also has at least a few hidden functions, and on top of that might include instructions for alternate builds/configurations like several other sets in the theme. Minecraft sets have definitely surprised me in regard to those sorts of things before.

JudgeChuck

And here's the one that I've been especially looking forward to, #21133 the Witch Hut:



I think that I'm going to have to extend my dining room table to fit every Minecraft set on it! :-)

Brickfan50

Since I viewed Jang's review of #21132 i'm definetely hooked to this years sets. If only I had the funds to buy them....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dnhQDf5R1Lg

JudgeChuck

So, I've found some comparative prices on Toys 'r' Us UK and US websites for each set and, would you believe it, TLG seem to have gone one step further with their pricing and completely taken the proverbial. Every single set is priced at a higher value in £ than it is in $, apart from #21129, which is at £=$:

21129 The Mushroom Island £19.99 $19.99

21130 The Nether Railway £39.99 $34.99

21131 The Ice Spikes £44.99 $39.99

21132 The Jungle Temple £54.99 $49.99

21133 The Witch Hut £64.99 $59.99

21134 The Waterfall Base £74.99 $69.99

There's no excuse for the pricing of these sets, if the prices are correct. Very angry.

Well, that's put paid to me buying any of these until I can get them at a (hopefully) large discount from Amazon, because this is just taking the p***.

:-(

fourstud

Wow that Nether Railway is super overpriced if you're right. I'm only interested in the track pieces in that set 

Legogram

@JudgeChuck  I hope you can find those sets on sale.  I have enjoyed your discussions so much that, just today, I ordered several of the older sets to try setting up a display of my own.  It would be terribly disappointing to me if you don't continue to discuss newer sets.

JudgeChuck

@Legogram, I'm sure I'll get them at some point but, as much as I love the LEGO Minecraft theme and could afford to buy them at these prices, I'm not going to, as a matter of principal.
I am very disappointed, as I was really looking forward to getting them.

PS: Thanks for the positive comments! There aren't many of us Minecraft AFOLs around, so I'm glad there are a few of us around to discuss things! :-)

Legogram

I won't be any help in the discussions, since I only know the game from my grandson.  I've given him several Minecraft sets, but never thought to get any for myself.
I keep remembering seeing pics of all or most all of the Minecraft sets displayed together (I think by you), and it really surprised me how much I liked them (I wish I could find it again).  Some AFOL's mention the blockiness as a negative, but I prefer straight lines in most things.  Don't know why that didn't catch my attention sooner.  :-(
I've made a few notes from your comments that I am certain will help me when I start my display.  I really do appreciate the discussions on this thread.
Thanks!

HugeYellowBrick

CM4S said:

Wow that Nether Railway is super overpriced if you're right. I'm only interested in the track pieces in that set 

It doesn't have track pieces as such. It uses curved and straight tiles and the truck just slides along. Jang's review show it quite well.

fourstud

HugeYellowBrick said:

CM4S said:

Wow that Nether Railway is super overpriced if you're right. I'm only interested in the track pieces in that set 

It doesn't have track pieces as such. It uses curved and straight tiles and the truck just slides along. Jang's review show it quite well.

Yep, that's what I meant. Those curved tiles and the brown track pieces are great!! 

JudgeChuck

@Legogram I do have some pics on Flickr here, if you're interested:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/albums/72157671681856736

I'm not entirely happy with it, as I do want to create more depth next time, especially in the mountain / caves...

Legogram

@JudgeChuck Thank you!  I will certainly spend time enjoying these.  Now I may have to get a couple of the sets I hadn't planned to buy  lol.  It looks like I am going to need more baseplates. :-)  
My favorite books have always been fantasy, so this will fit right in.  It is time to get to work on my LEGO room!

JudgeChuck

@Legogram I have to admit that I did buy a lot of additional plates and bricks for this, especially 16x16 and 16x8 plates in Bright Green, 2x2, 2x4, 2x6 and 2x8 bricks in both Medium and Dark Stone Grey and Reddish Brown, 2x2 jumpers, bricks and parts for additional trees and foliage and more.

And I still want more MSG / DSG bricks, so that I can make the mountain bigger and better next time! :-)

Legogram

@JudgeChuck   lol, oh the joys (and woes) of being an AFOL!  :-)(  
When I get started, it will be a good thing that we are on different continents....so we aren't both trying to buy the same lot of bricks.

SeanTheCollector

Has anyone seen inside #21136 "The Ocean Monument" yet? I haven't seen any videos or pictures of what's inside and there is obviously something going on there given it's size.

Regarding #21137 "The Mountain Cave", is this set already on display in the large Minecraft map on the LEGO website. I only looked at it last night and it seems to have a large mountain backdrop. Has that backdrop always been there or is it fairly new since they incorporated this year's sets?

JudgeChuck

^I have only seen what is available via Googling "lego 21136, which do show more than is available on the box image, but I haven't seen anything of the interior yet.

I think the mountain was always there. I certainly seem to remember the creeper / zombie motif from the previous version, but perhaps some additional changes have been made. I have to say that it would be a great look for a mountain cave set, but it will all depend on the interior, of course. I'm certainly looking forward to this! :-)

SeanTheCollector

Just ordered final set from new Minecraft range, #21134 "The Waterfall Base". My favorite so far has been the Jungle Temple. I prefer complete solid buildings with internals rather than cutaways or hut like scenes. I left The Waterfall Base to last since I'm not immediately sold on the color scheme of the base but it does have some nice features.

There aren't much in the way of deals out there (in the UK) on these sets yet. I've ended up buying all of them from John Lewis which seems to have matched any deals that where out there. I've ended up spending £255 for all 6 sets (RRP being £300).

The main problem for my wallet when I get in a Minecraft mood is that I invariably start re-buying older sets where deals are available since you can always use a duplicate Minecraft set! So far I've picked up #21121 The Desert Outpost from Amazon (46% discount) and #21120 The Snow Hideout from eBay (40% discount). I've been bidding on lots of Minecraft sets on eBay but they rarely sell for much of a discount!

Legogram

The Crafting Box #21116 is currently on sale.  Can anyone tell me if that is a good set to get?  I am trying to decide if I should get that or 2 of the new sets.  I have picked up most of the other sets, except for The Mine.