10246 Detective's Office

[Anio]

Seems MUCH more playable than previous modulars.

That's cool. :)

[Faefrost]

I've tried to figure out what that is but I still have no idea. Does anyone else know?

It probably means Unikitty's tail. Which it 1x1x2 and is in dark bley for the first time.

[parksroad]

And definitely stop telling people they don't belong just because they have a opposing opinion.

Yes, but insulting the set as feminine and juvenile suggested that Jamie and AFOLs who like his work are failing some age- and gender-appropriateness standard. That's different from simply critiquing the building, which plenty of people do respectfully.

I do agree that I'd like to see a resurgence of complex exterior detail. But I also thought PR had nice exterior features, even if it was smaller. Some things will always get prioritized over others.

[LegoDakin]

This set is fantastic, I think it's got be the best modular

[Roger_Smith]

This is one of the only things that bothers me about the Expert line. Given the cost of the sets and all the work they put into it, why not provide a few different facial expressions on the minifigs?

It's the one thing I hope they never change about the modular line. I like the quirkiness of the fact that one of the most evolved and mature lines Lego has uses the simple old smilie face. And of course nostalgia plays a big role in it, too.

[Professor Brick]

I think the strategy that Lego is using to develop the modular line is really quite smart. Releasing modulars with significant play value works well on a number of levels. AFOLs will continue to buy for display, or city-building. But now parents with slightly older children may be tempted to continue to purchase Lego beyond that 6 - 12 bracket. So TLG extends the window of childhood where Lego is a must-buy gift. Teenage me would have loved the modular line. Further, the play elements give AFOLs with younger children a reason to splash out and spend upwards of $200 on a single set. I know that I personally spend more money on my modular and train addictions by justifying them in this way. I say to myself, 'this is a hobby I can enjoy with my daughter, and I know that she will get a great deal of joy out of it as she gets older.' Lets also not forget that a significant driver of the AFOL market is Gen-Xers reliving their childhoods. This isn't about rich kids versus poor kids. I'm willing to bet there is good evidence to suggest that parents spend more on toys that can be justified in terms of engagement and fun for the whole family. I'm gonna smuggle some cookies!

[Moebius118]

Yes, but insulting the set as feminine and juvenile suggested that Jamie and AFOLs who like his work are failing some age- and gender-appropriateness standard. That's different from simply critiquing the building, which plenty of people do respectfully.

I do agree that I'd like to see a resurgence of complex exterior detail. But I also thought PR had nice exterior features, even if it was smaller. Some things will always get prioritized over others.

I'm not entirely condoning his posts. But I also understand the betrayal people feel when something they are passionate about moves in a unfavorable direction. Just as OTW would have to learn the hobby is not solely guided by his expectations, others need to learn when there is an inflammatory post it may be better just to ignore it rather than a response to hit the road. Let the mods handle it if it is truly something infantile or inappropriate. No need to escalate a passionate opinion into something hostile.

For the record PR is my favorite modular. I personally believe it to be a welcome compromise between the interior and exterior worlds. But in doing so it may have downgraded the size of the overall building in order to maintain a reasonable piece/price/set economics. Can't have it all. Such is life.

[DarthBrickus]

We're really excited to build and display this, hopefully this will be available at tomorrow's VIP-Event.

I'm already looking forward to the next one

[PastVPresent]

While I'm a big fan of this set, I am torn on the trade offs between interior and exterior. it does seem like the interior is very interesting here at the expense of a bit plain or cartoony facade...but real life buildings do have the same trade offs, often for similar reasons ($). Like this set, many real city buildings have a base, middle, and top where decoration happens at the base and top but not middle. Also, the part of town where detectives and pool halls can afford the rent often have more utilitarian style buildings. A 32x32 three or four story modular with lots of interior and exterior detail would be great but probably also well over $200 - with so many modulars now you can see the trade offs chosen in each one (interior details, exterior details, or mass/height). For what it's worth, I still like the interior/exterior balance struck with the Fire Brigade but realize using only two floors, one being an open bay (ie less floor area to "furnish"), probably allowed that. Anyway, I'll be getting this one day 1, building it, admiring it, then anxiously awaiting the next likely great modular with a different set of trade offs.

[bjorn77]

I am much more positive now than after seeing the first leaked pictures. This looks pretty great and the colors aren't as crazy as I initially thought.

[Captain Nemo]

I have to say I love this set! The feel of the whole thing is great; I think a cool classic detecitve office is a great addition to the modular line. And even though I don't own any modulars, I could see this being my first one. It just seems to fun!

[VintageLegoEra]

waooooooo,,,the price is sooo reasonable,,,so relaxed...

[finnbricker]

I'm sorry if one opinion is upsetting so many of you. I'll make this my last post on this matter so that you aren't made uncomfortable by any diversity of opinion. Probably a good thing to do since the parrot card has been played, my opinion has been misrepresented by others as a statement of fact and my record of reviewing lego, while largely unknown, has been misrepresented.

It's not your opinion that's annoying me, it's the endless repetition of it.

Actually, as I've said before, I share your opinion on this one, even though I do understand why TLG is moving the modular series in the direction they are.

[Colossus]

Intriguing set. I see the Prohibition theme being expressed, but that cookie room's going the way of the dodo. Epic Squaresville. Yeah yeah, it's a toy. I see a brick built distillery in my future. Glad i invested in a few Lego whiskey bottles over the summer. Also, I would have liked to have seen a more mature color palette being used. When one blows $160 on a modular, it makes customization kind of an expensive pain in the @ss. But don't get me wrong, i love the set as a whole, tho. The architecture is something new.This set of buildings will break up all the storefront facade running down my Lego street. I like the details in the poolhall and the private dick's joint. The ceiling fan and the wall safe are nice touches! Now to get cracking on a brick built bombshell femme fatale for January.

[Capt. Redblade]

Now I'm trying to think which parts would be best for making figs of Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre.

[jodawill]

Isn't it more that Lego's trying to evoke a certain old-time feel? It's not trying to be historically accurate, unless people really did think cookie smuggling was once a big problem in the US and elsewhere. As for the female police officer, I was quite happy to see that. Why not mix it up a little?

I don't mind having a female police officer. When she has her hairpiece on, she looks really good. But every time I see that picture, I think about that face. When she puts that hat on, she becomes a man. You can't see her hair and her face is just the classic smiley face. So it does seem a little silly, and it kind of makes me feel weird because it's almost like they have a crossdressing minifigure.

[Mikuri]

Buy me this set please! :wub: :wub:

[LegoSjaak]

TLG has done a great job on this set!!!... Either you nuy it or not.. it's anyones choice... no-one has to buy it..just doo if you like it........ It is funny to read opinions from old people in this threat which annoy so many.. Obviously this man, that is apparently coming 'off the wall', will need the mirror piece of this set to look in and see he might be getting to old for this....

[imvanya]

Maybe they are talking about the hero factory fist/hand? is it not 1X2X2 designing element? and there is no mention of hero factory parts in press release.

It probably means Unikitty's tail. Which it 1x1x2 and is in dark bley for the first time.

'Faefrost', you might be right. I must have ignored this option because it's one of the first thing I noticed when I saw the first pictures. And then they suggested looking for secrets and clues? so I thought iw would something less obvious

[Adeel Zubair]

Seeing the designer video makes me want to slap myself. That was mind-blowing, thanks Jaime!

As for what I was expecting: I would have liked a dead end alleyway on one of the sides with creates and dumpsters. The side of the building could also had a staircase and possible a bar (probably doesn't fit with LEGO's rules) Other than that is another amazing modular building. Now the biggest problem: I need to purchase this and the other modulars (except Pet Shop)...Oh well I do plan to purchase them all in my life time :)

[LegoSjaak]

Got this in my mail today.....Special offer on 22 of november? I know it won't be the DO, but i still hope it will...

[Gorki247]

Good thing the prohibition is on cookies and not alcohol or else Chez Albert would be in trouble

[VintageLegoEra]

Got this in my mail today.....Special offer on 22 of november? I know it won't be the DO, but i still hope it will...

i got it too

[LegoSjaak]

i got it too

Maybe the DO is available only tomorrow for people who did make some positive remarks about the 10th modular on EB.... ....Say 50% off..... Would be nice....2 x Do for a total of 150 Euro's...haha....!!! I've seen weirder spectacular ways to draw attention to a product....cross my fingers all night!

Edited November 21, 2014 by LegoSjaak

[nesquik]

A big factor in how well the scenario plays out is scale. This is the reason, I believe, why PS and PR are two of the most iconic buildings to date. The compromise is the budget; the company has obviously found a sweet spot in the pricing that appeals to a broad audience, whilst maintaining a decent quantity and quality of bricks.

Thinking of those two buildings, they both played out their narratives flawlessly. PS was able to skimp on interior details because the home on the left was being 'moved into', so it had a fun excuse to be bare. The shop however made good use of the space with a single small living area, and an attic-like sleeping area.

PR, meanwhile, sacrificed scale for interior detail, but the balance is absolutely perfect. If it were a real building, you really can imagine it being just a small family run business, where you know you're going to get a warm welcome and a fantastic meal! And again, the narrative is well played out thanks to the beautiful details throughout all three floors.

This brings the subject to an interesting debate, and that is relevance.

The earliest modular buildings were bare for a variety of reasons, no less because of the budget involved and because there was an opportunity to sell the customisation; the builder gets to choose their own interior. But there is the issue - by doing this, you're limiting the audience. Expectations have rapidly evolved since those very first buildings (which were more an experiment than staple calendar event). The company has evolved, too, with more brand retail stores, a greater drive for online sales and as a result a broader audience.

Suddenly, an empty building doesn't quite look as appealing to all the teenagers, parents or families and older folk who are revisiting (even discovering) the LEGO brand. They want a complete storytelling experience, and the only way to do that reasonably is to make sacrifices. The net product is more popular and, as has been evident, increases the likelihood for higher budgets in future products. The number of unique elements and colours that we've received over the past three buildings in particular has been startling.

I disagree with 'Off The Walls' comments because of the sheer ignorance and elitism. It's important to at least contribute positively to a discussion, and to try to respect the designers intentions. The D.O isn't my favourite looking building, but as a product, it's undeniably superb.

Edited November 21, 2014 by nesquik