2007 Robot Army Review

[vahkimetru]

I have no pictures in my reviews lately as my camera's lense seems to be jammed...

Hope this is good though...

Last year the robot force was definately an exciting group of sets, but the initial December/January release sets seemed a bit... bla? No doubt they were fine kits, but was sand blue the color that defines evil? And Sentry, great as it was, had that horrible brownish color. Only Thunder Fury, my favorite of the first mechs really screamed "EEEEEEVVVVIIIIL!".

This year, we start out fresh. These pitch black mechas of the evil robots just seem, well, darker (No pun intended). The Iron Condor with those long black wings strike fear into me more than rotars. And the Shadow Crawler, with that fallen Exo-Force pilot puts a different mindset into the line. Claw Crusher, also, is a great set.

Onto the reviews!!!!

CLAW CRUSHER

The first thing any toy buyer will notice is the new box. It's about half the size of one of the fifteen dollar mechs, and also has a new design. The gold border really gets you thinking about next year's Golden City. The back is just a back of a Lego box, not too exciting. I'll note here though, that a prieview of the comic in the instructions.

After eagerley awaiting the time to tear this toy open, I got my chance. The parts were many for a set of this size. The price/parts ratio is about eight cents per piece. Many are of the same mold that the Sentry was but in different colors. For example, the black triangle armor parts, the chrome missile (ME LIKE!). Also, another good part is the black astromech body. We also encounter some of the Technic/System parts here, which are great for MOCing! The orange is nice, but not in a large enough supply to be helpful unless you bought a bunch of Claw Crushers.

The building expierience is satisfying, as always. Some interesting parts are the hollow center, which I don't mind, but am not a big fan of . The stickers are as always, a pain, but they go in easier to get to places this year, so a thumbs up to that. On the subject of stickers, the code brick is (hold your breath!)

NOT A STICKER!

Once you're done with this model, you can see the robot soldier in his glory. The pilot, one of my favorite parts, is a Devastator, not an Iron Drone! Also, the mech itself has multiple points of articulation.

Overall, a well done set.

RATING

92/100 A-

Next up...

Shadow Crawler

The box of these new large sets is a thing of beauty. I mean, the gold lining, the metallic covoring. As I said earlier, it all says Golden City on it!!!! The only missing part is a flap. But this time the comics are in the instructions. I liked the flap, but I'll live.

The parts in here are probably the best if all the sets. Those green orbs definately will make some good flying saucers. In addition to this, the green and black parts just want to become a space ship. However, since I have all the '07 sets thus far, I'll not be cannabalizing Shadow Crawler, but if you're a MOCer, it's a great parts pack.

The set itself is pretty cool. Two minigfigures in one set may become the highlight of this set. The articulation pulls down this guys grade. I would've like better, but alas, this robot probably is supposed to scuttle. The gun movement on ball joints is a cool idea. I like it. Also, once again, the code brick is a printed tile.

I really think this is a classic. Kudos to Lego on a well done set, and the first tri-pod mecha yet!

RATING

94/100 A-

Iron Condor

Saving my favorite for last! That box, as I've said before is awesome! And in this pose, it seems as though the Iron Condors are dropping from the sky in the dead of night, making life hellish for the Exo-Force! The gold lining here, looks out of place, but I guess the set itself would look more out of place without it.

The parts included are very cool!. Two jet engines, wings, trans red parts and some cool black tiles. Also, we get some extra robot arms and those neat red viking horns, which fit perfectley onto the arms. The technic parts included are nothing too special. Overall, if you want to MOC this set, trash the wings.

The building expierience was my favorite part, next to playign with the set. I like the technique used to make the waist swivel. At first, I thought it would be floppy, but I was wrong! Also, Building the legs is fun, but the shins are confusing at first glance.

The playing expierience is superb! I just love the missile. It shoots quite far. Also, the articulation is great. I enjoy using the ball joints. They allow for free movement moreso in the arms. Not that the legs are bad. tHe only thing the finished model could have used was a cockpit.

This is my favorite of the 2007 collection. The yellow and black stand out, and the set has good parts. I also like the features! However, the cockpit was lacking and kept the IC from being perfect...

RATING

97/100 A

Hope these help. The human reviews will come tommorow.

[dillthepill]

Good review. Are you gonna post pics, too?

[vahkimetru]

My camera broke. :-(

[Kahgarak]

Nice reviews.

I think that the Shadow Crawler is my favourite so far. I agree, the Iron Condor needs an actual cockpit...

I think that i'll mod the SC when i have it, so that it fits in with my troops from my fantasy/sci fi world Matoriana.

[JoeMI6]

A review without pictures is a like a horse without a saddle. You can ride it, but it's gonna be an awfully bumpy ride and you probably won't see where you're going. You've got some nice words here, but when you can, grab hold of a nice camera and take some pics to go with the points. Otherwise, good work.

[vahkimetru]

JoeM16, read above. My camera broke. I'll try to see if I can get a hold of another.