Thoughts on future Castle sets...

LegoBrickSteve

I am thrilled to see the return of Castle. After pictures of the upcoming sets were released awhile back, I've seen quite a bit of polarized opinion on them.

Some have ruled the wave as too 'kiddie'. While I can certainly understand this perspective, and I don't consider them quite as spectacular as the last wave of Kingdoms, I am still pleased to see the theme not entirely abandoned.

If you're a Castle junkie or just a LEGO fan, what is everybody else thinking? If you are a Castle-person, will you jump or pass?

I, for one, will be scooping up as much of the theme as I can afford. Long live LEGO Castle!

Bustin

I am not a fan of the large castle pieces. My son has a bunch of these parts from the late 80s and well besides castles they don't work on anything else.

It lowers piece counts I get it, but I want a castle set along the lines of modulars. Brick built, no custom parts.

StuBoy

While I love Castle, I'll only get some of these for my kids if they're are into them, otherwise I'll (probably) pass. I really liked where they were going with the civilian-type sets with Kingdoms, its a shame it had to end.

I'm hoping for a renewed pirate theme after POTC has been given its required mourning period :)

LegoBrickSteve

I could not agree more about the 'civilian-type' sets. As a Castle-kid, that is what I always felt was missing from the theme. Those were the kinds of structures and builds that would come custom from spare parts.

As much as I loved them, I have to also respect that maybe kids of today may not find them all that exciting alongside super-ninjas and sword wielding lions.

Still...LEGO Castle is LEGO Castle, so I'm on board. Modular castles? You sir, are speaking my language! We can dream, right?

Stormsworder

Yes, I'd like to see more civilian castle-era sets. Like a new blacksmith, tavern, weapons/armour shop and maybe a farm or stables.

Regarding military castle sets, I always remember loving things such as the siege tower, battering ram and catapult from the 1980s. These were not only fun, they also were a way of teaching children about history. Please no more dragons and wizards. Save them for a seperate theme of sets.

LegoBrickSteve

I agree on keeping dragons and wizards, etc... separate from a straight forward Castle theme.

With that said, I am pleased to see that there doesn't seem to be a deliberate 'story' in place with named characters and such. I miss the 'free play' element of those original themes.

akunthita

I'm a huge Castle fan, but I will pass on this wave. Maybe pick up some minifigs and accessories, but this new Castle line just looks so lackluster. There is not a single feature of it that excites me. The Kingdom's sets had a much nicer color-sceme both for the big castle and the carriage. However I'm glad Castle is continuing and I know there are people who are excited about the new sets. I'm happy for them. And I will have plenty of other sets from other themes to buy myself...(c;

kor

Like many, I grew up on Castle and they have always had a special place in my heart. With that being said, I don't have any desire to build the new sets. I love the minifigs though and I'll be buying the sets just to get them. The pieces and parts will go into my personal inventory or on BL.

mathew

The upcoming Castle sets are poor in my opinion. A rehash, remix of previous castle themes. Nothing new or original. Might as well be megablocks.

Lego2012

I was quite disappointed when I seen the pictures, much preferred the kingdoms range, have reserved judgement on whether I'll be buying any, will have to wait and see until they are in front of me.

Aanchir

mathew said:

The upcoming Castle sets are poor in my opinion. A rehash, remix of previous castle themes. Nothing new or original. Might as well be megablocks.

Personally, I find the gatehouse of the new King's Castle, with a sturdy tower supporting either side, quite original. The only other Castle sets I know of to have the gatehouse structure so fortified did so by integrating the corner towers into the gatehouse, which doesn't end up looking nearly so refined.

Now, regarding this current Castle theme, I can't say what I'd like to see. I'm not a collector, but one thing that would be nice is a more formidable base for the baddies. I'm not the kind of guy who thinks that their base has to be equal to the good guys' castle, and in fact even something as simple as the Kingdoms Dragon Knights' Prison Tower would probably be satisfying. But the current bad guy base, the Dragon Mountain set, is designed to look like an evil tower built on the ruins of an older castle. It works just fine as a headquarters for the evil wizard but doesn't seem like a headquarters sufficient for raising an army.

As for future castle themes (since this idea of mine doesn't really fit too well with the current castle theme), I'd love to see a take on LEGO castle building that incorporates some of the values of the LEGO Friends theme or Direct-to-Consumer range. It doesn't have to be a girl-oriented castle theme, but in general I want to see a LEGO castle that truly feels livable, so the keep would need a dining hall, sleeping quarters, etc. Currently the closest thing we've ever gotten to this has been the various incarnations of Hogwarts Castle, and while these are typically excellent sets, their modern fantasy license means that they don't really fit that well in a realistic medieval setting. Traditionally, the castle's role as a military headquarters and seat of authority is emphasized in LEGO; less so its role as a home for the king or lord and his various attendants.

Dark_Pegasus

From the pictures they don't really seem like an improvement over kingdoms and were quite disappointing. But who knows, maybe we will be surprised when they release and get a closer look!

MCNwakeboard

^^I agree, the gatehouse on the new castle is pretty good and compact. I like the way the drawbridge is drawn up with rope from the interior - no big arms like the Kingdoms castle had. Of course I'd be happy if they didn't use the panels as well.

I think some of the target market do enjoy the civilian sets. I have two pre-teen brothers that have a Kingdoms layout. They have a modified blacksmith/armory, modified windmill, MMV and some smaller houses. Of course, these are all in the shadow of an ever expanding castle which is still the focal point, but its all part of the medieval life.

I'm not a fan of the heraldry, but I'll pick up the larger sets on discount or maybe just the figures if they are cheap enough on bricklink.

LegoBrickSteve

As a Castle collector who hasn’t missed a set sine the Black Monarch’s Castle, I know I’ll be grabbing all of these.

My hope is that the smaller castle set will allow for add-on/customization to the larger one.

While I wasn’t thrilled about LotR when they first announced it (because I knew it would be replacing Castle, in a sense), I must say that one of the greatest thrills was being able to add-on to Helm’s Deep with the Urak-Hai Army sub-sets.

I have picked up a half dozen of those, and the expanded structure is absolutely impressive.

My hope is that the new Castle sets will give us older builders the new tools and elements that we need to perhaps create a design of our own that is less kiddie and more fun. That is kind of the point of being an AFOL, is it not?

StuBoy

^I love that modular aspect to Helms Deep too, reminded me of the late 80s, early 90s castle sets. It would be awesome if new castle sets were the same, being able to add-on an armoury or a blacksmith, or something like Guarded Inn.

I've changed my stance on the new sets too, I might pick up the main castle if I can get it at a good price, but I won't pay full retail (I'm in New Zealand too, so prices are high to start with).

vwong19

I started collecting Castle sets with Fantasy Era and Kingdoms, but decided that once Lord of the Rings came out, that that would satisfy by my Castle void. I think I'll only purchase civilian type castle sets. If they come out with another licensed Castle theme, then I would be intrigued.

yys4u

When I first saw the pictures of the Castle set, I wasn't impressed, thought it was too bulky and childish. But the other sets interest me. I'll probably buy all the other sets for figures/parts, then MAYBE get the big castle set if it goes on a decent discount.

HarryPotterLover

There are holes on the side of the gatehouse Raid, assuming that the castle is built in modular sections, it would be nice to have such extensions, and possibly others if they do more waves, which they probably might!

Dread_Pirate

The main castle is built modular like the previous castle was. I was told by a rep from Lego that the new castle would link with the 2010 castle to allow us (or our kids) to greate a larger structure as well as being able to change the configuration. By looking at the images I have found this looks to be the case as the new castle is built in the same style as the 2010 castle. I have a feeling that the gatehouse set can also link some how as well.

Rainstorm26

I missed the dragons from the Fantasy and Viking series, so I am looking forward to having one in my collection.

FenrisAkashi

@Rainstorm26

Personally I loved the dragons from the Vikings series. And imo the dragons from the Ninjago series fill the roll decently.
I am intrigued by the new dragon design as it can hold things in its arms....but I am not a fan of the head or wings tbh from the pictures so far.

legomaniac007

I'm all for lego castles, however, I would prefer it if they start to go back to classic lego pieces and/or styles. Those of us who remember (or like me, still own) the 1990 "King's Mountain Fortress" (6081), this was the flagship castle set! In 1992, LEGO outdid themselves with "Black Knight's Castle" (6086). After that, they started going downhill, reaching a new low in 2004 when they blended knights with ninjas and samurai, with obscure and weird pieces that you couldn't use for too many other applications. (8781 for example). It's nice to see the old classic pieces coming back in this years Castle category. Keep it up LEGO! :)

binaryeye

legomaniac007 said:

I'm all for lego castles, however, I would prefer it if they start to go back to classic lego pieces and/or styles. Those of us who remember (or like me, still own) the 1990 "King's Mountain Fortress" (6081), this was the flagship castle set! In 1992, LEGO outdid themselves with "Black Knight's Castle" (6086).

To me, ironically, the shift in design from "classic" Castle to something else came in 1990 with sets such as 6081. Of course, others might suggest the shift came in 1984. I think it really depends upon when you grew up. :)

Rainstorm26

FenrisAkashi said:

@Rainstorm26

Personally I loved the dragons from the Vikings series. And imo the dragons from the Ninjago series fill the roll decently.
I am intrigued by the new dragon design as it can hold things in its arms....but I am not a fan of the head or wings tbh from the pictures so far.

I only have the four headed Dragon from Ninjago. The wings are rather inadequate imo and the rubbery dragon heads make it feel rather cheap. I rather like the head and wings on the new Dragon.

CCC

The old classic pieces ... for me, that means bricks. 2x4 and 2x2. The real old classic pieces.

Legoboy

Couldn't believe it when I walked into a store this morning and saw half a dozen of these!!

fy222

Legoboy said:

Couldn't believe it when I walked into a store this morning and saw half a dozen of these!!

where? where! what is the price?

Legoboy

fy222 said:

Legoboy said:

Couldn't believe it when I walked into a store this morning and saw half a dozen of these!!

where? where! what is the price?

A local shop. They were there a year ago when I bought the Kings Castles. Hadn't been back since until today and the MVRs were still there. They're priced at rrp.

dougts

wow. talk about a score.

Legoboy

^ They're still there. Judging by the PMs I've received, they're more in demand over there than they are here. :-)

madforLEGO

Those #7189 MVR are a score if you are looking for them to be sets in your collection, but I would not call them anything beyond that, which surprises me.
You would think for a set that was only out for about 6 months and has a bunch of pieces only found in it that it would go for more, but it really does not ( at least in the US, these can be found for under $100 on eBay).
I like it because it is again something that goes with any kingdom set and MMV.

I think the only winner out of this bunch will be that dragon tower set, since it also comes with a dragon and if the price stays where it was listed at the toy fair then it should be an OK set to BOGO50.
But the castle looks a bit junior'ized to me, and again does not appear to have too much imagination put into it. I know, I know, it is a castle set after all, but even still.. The previous Castle had much more imagination and character to it IMO.

Starik20X7

I'm very tempted to pick them up. My whole life I've been a City collector, but I recently decided that when I move out I'm going to switch to Castle, and these sets seem like a great place to start... I'll have to wait for prices first, and a place to move out into!

StompingFreak

These new sets look really nice. I have lots of the old castle/kingdoms sets. I have always found them great fun. Never understood why Lego discontuned them.

madforLEGO

Well LEGO discontinues lines to bring in fresher lines, change color schemes, etc. But the 7189 was a different story, as it was only out for about 6 months before being EOL'd which was weird as it is a neat little set.

chrisdojo

Due to the detail and fun of the LOTR sets, I have no desire to get the 2013 Castle line.

piratemania7

I cannot wait for the line to come out later this summer. I have collected the Hobbit line and think this will be a great accompanyment. Of course, CASTLE is a perennial theme that will never really go away just retreat into the depths of darkness to only later reappear. I think some of the pieces may be a little large this time around, but at least it will have more of that classic feel. Cannot Wait.

adventure_al

Anyone got a link to some info and pictures on the forth coming castle stuff? I can't seem to find anything myself. Thanks

adventure_al

oh wait think ive got it now.

adventure_al

Nope still struggling for pics anyone got any from the german toy fair?

andhe

@adventure_al

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/sets/72157632737136545/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/sets/72157632737121179/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/sets/72157632742115066/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/sets/72157632737067455/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fbtbnet/sets/72157632737020299/

madforLEGO

chrisdojo said:

Due to the detail and fun of the LOTR sets, I have no desire to get the 2013 Castle line.

I think the main one Ill buy is the tower escape or whatever it is called with the Dragon, otherwise Im not seeing much that is awesome.. maybe if I can get the castles for a BOGO50 at the RRP

timinchicago

All these sets look very simplistic and not particularly interesting.

Si_UKNZ

Late to the thread, but for those who're after MVR, it's been at or near RRP on amazon.de pretty much for the last year :)

StuBoy

I'm slowly starting to like these new sets, mainly due to the figs. I also noticed that the horse hitching in #70401-1 Gold Getaway had to be changed from the usual single-piece hitching due to the posable horse. Quite a good solution I think.

EDIT: sorry, can't get the auto-link to link with the actual set, here's the link: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=70401-1

AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz

I would love to have a great modular castle based on one of the many historical castles of Europe!

Si_UKNZ

ahh but which one though? i keep thinking i'll do one but can never decide which.

AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz

^ I don't have a favorite.

Si_UKNZ

yeah me neither, although conwy might be nice then I can run my train through it :)

AFFOL_Shellz_Bellz

Just looked at pics of Conwy, very interesting!

icey117

Real castles please. As Architecture sets they would be really great.

I suggest following three:
1) Neuschwanstein from Füssen, Germany, would be the nicest!
2) Haut-Koenigsburg from Alsace France would be the most advanced battlewise.
3) Carlsbourg from Belgium is historically cool, though it is a bit small.

icey117

The one at Carlsbourg is called "Bouillon"