The Latest World City Sets

[Mister Phes]

I was in a store looking the smaller World City sets (7245 & 7241) and I was thinking how reminiscent of they were of Town sets from the early 90's. To me this show there still is some hope for LEGO to produce the kind of sets that first attracted me to the toyline.

Since I wasn't really into town I can't make a fair comparison to determine if these sets are as good as the older ones. But is there anyone there who can? Opinions anyone?

[snefroe]

you should compare sets 6645 (1991); 6649 (1995) with the new 7242. talk about look-alikes!

[Mister Phes]

you should compare sets 6645 (1991); 6649 (1995) with the new 7242. talk about look-alikes!

Yes, you do have a good point there. To me 7274 looks like a superior amalgamation of 6645 and 6649! Though I don't own any of these sets so maybe that is an unfair assumption.

[snefroe]

to be honest, i'm happy with the 7242, look alike or not... it's a very fine and cheap set that is a good addition to any town... i just wish TLC would't use these subthemes like "police", "construction", "fire",... in the citytheme... that is why i'm still more attracted to the old sets of the past, when all was one...

[Mister Phes]

What's wrong with using sub-themes in the City Theme?

[snefroe]

there is firefighting theme, but TLC doesn't build houses, garages, busstations, or anything else that might catch fire... the city theme needs more substance... yeah... we complained about this before... even though the current sets are great... you can't create a city with just these sets...

[Mister Phes]

Ah yes. I can related to this with the Pirates. There wasn't actually anything for them to plunder, with the exception of a merchant ship that came with the Imperial Trading Post. But where were the settlements and cargo ships, etc.?

Actually one day I intend to create a thread about this, but I fear there are not enough Pirate enthuiasts to make it worth while at present.

[xwingyoda]

Argggg ;)

I think there are enough pirate enthousiasts in our friendly boards for such a thread mister_phes ;)

Its really a shame that the great pirate line never had "real" ports buildings and shops like an armury, tavern... Oh well maybe one day....

[Mister Phes]

Argggg ;)

I think there are enough pirate enthousiasts in our friendly boards for such a thread mister_phes ;)

Its really a shame that the great pirate line never had "real" ports buildings and shops like an armury, tavern... Oh well maybe one day....

Well Master Yoda... There's only one way to find out...

[Hor]

to be honest, i'm happy with the 7242, look alike or not...

There is problem with new click-hinges. If you open open and close windscreen several times, you will see that 2x4 slope 45 brick is loosing its connection to lower bricks.

I do not own old sets, but I think this would not be a problem, if old-style hinges were used.

[Mister Phes]

So Lego hinge technology has got worse with time rather than better?

[Hor]

So Lego hinge technology has got worse with time rather than better?

I'd say that total set design is not perfect. Click-hinges have their own benefits, but since they require more efforts, they have to have better coupling with other element. Click-hinges just can not be used in every place instead of old-style hinges.

I experienced exactly the same problem with click hinges in set #4512 Cargo Train.

And I have nothing against the technology, if you mean piece manufacturing.

[snefroe]

remember the star wars set number 7133: bounty hunter pursuit?

http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemPic.asp?S=7133-1

the cockpit of the largest of both ships didn't close very well either, because of the hinge. however, it's a lot stronger than the old system, what makes it ideal sometimes.

[Grim]

i loved city when i was a child but now it's more StarWar...

I agree with snefroe1, you can't build a city with these new set. However i'll buy the Construction line, i realy like them. But others sets are not terrible, i've only buy the 7245 for... the head of the police officer :-D (looks great!)

[The Middleman]

I have the entire line so far, and all of them are fantastic. GET THEM!

[Mister Phes]

I have the entire line so far, and all of them are fantastic. GET THEM!

The entire line of the latest World City sets or just the Construction sets?

[The Middleman]

I have the entire line so far, and all of them are fantastic.  GET THEM!

The entire line of the latest World City sets or just the Construction sets?

The entire City line (not World City anymore).

[WesternOutlaw]

I was in a store looking the smaller World City sets (7245 & 7241)  and I was thinking how reminiscent of they were of  Town sets from the early 90's.  To me this show there still is some hope for LEGO to produce the kind of sets that first attracted me to the toyline.

Since I wasn't really into town I can't make a fair comparison to determine if  these sets are as good as the older ones.  But is there anyone there who can?  Opinions anyone?

Way too many police sets. I feel that my city is becoming a police state! I like the police vehicles of the World City (specifically the Armored Car and the Surveillance Truck, and the little police car wasn't bad). The WC station was just bad (too modern for me unless your in to Minority Report).

Then, 1-2 years later (last year), Lego released the City Police Line. I didn't bother buying any of these sets but I did get the Fire Station and the fire mini-truck you mentioned. They're not bad, but compared to the 80s sets, these just don't cut it.

What made the 80s sets so good were standard pieces (1x1, 1x2, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, regular windows and doors, and large plates. These provided endless building opportunities and in my opinion, just look better than the specialized modern city sets made now.

I like the vehicles and the figs now (and the trains which are awesome) but the buildings from the 80s as well as some vehicles still blow away the new stuff (with the exception of the train engine shed and crossing).

[Mister Phes]

What made the 80s sets so good were standard pieces (1x1, 1x2, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, regular windows and doors, and large plates. These provided endless building opportunities and in my opinion, just look better than the specialized modern city sets made now.

Are you implying the recent sets are devoid of 1x1, 1x2, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8 pieces and the later doors and windows aren't as good?

[WesternOutlaw]

Yes, at least in large enough quantities to make standard buildings. The newer sets just have so many specialized pieces that it's much harder to build with them.

In terms of windows and doors, I prefer the 3x4 windows (shutter-type) and 4x5 doors. I find them easier to build and I like the traditional look. A few sets still use them but look at sets like the new Police Station (7237)- very specialized. Try building anything other than a police station or jail, and it may be possible (but much more difficult). Standard bricks in a single color just seem limited in the new sets.

One of the best sets I bought in the last year for building was Tub 3033 w/ 1200 pieces at $20. I ordered flat roofs and doors and windows separately and I had the makings of numerous buildings, covered bridges, and a custom train engine shed.

I'd love Lego to just make a standard tub of 1byX bricks in 2-3 colors (grey, white, etc), and you could build castles, pirate fortresses, buildings, bridges, churces, etc. very easily. The older city sets offered this but Lego has just gotten so specialized in the pieces. Once you build the complicated model, you just leave it built, because it's much harder to build anything else with it.

The advantage of the new sets is greater detail, but you lose a lot of the custom fun. That's why I like the Legends (like Main Street that has numerous alternative models).

[WesternOutlaw]

PS. I bought all the construction sets with the exception of the large crane. - I'm disappointed with all of the sets. Same reasons mentioned above. Compare these sets with 6383 Public Works (which I still have most of the pieces to). It was 100 times better. These were great stand alone (or add to existing city) sets. The new sets just don't have the same level of playability and advantage of building numerous alternative models.

[snefroe]

i do agree with TheBrickster that specialised parts limit your options as a builder to build something different. Not just the windows are problematic, but also the other large bricks. take a look at the inventory list of the firestation, for instance...

http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/inv/...-1?withpics=yes

however, quite a few sets are much better looking and are far more realistic than their older counterparts. Especially the police/fire lines of the last couple of years are terrible. Not any of these sets came even close to the police/fire vehicles in my own country. the current firetruck, the police motorcycle and transport car, on the other hand, look very much like the real thing... the policestation is unfortunately not good

[Mister Phes]

Realism and asethetics comprimises alternate design possibilities then?

But does that make the new sets better than the older, the same or worse?

[snefroe]

Realism and asethetics comprimises alternate design possibilities then?

But does that make the new sets better than the older, the same or worse?

to a certain extent, yes.

for example: TLC created a one piece seat many years ago. it's the seat we all know today. Any one recognises this piece as a seat, even non-lego fans would see this piece as a seat. it's, give and take, realistic. Unfortunately, you can't turn it into something else, it's just one specialised piece.

before this creation, TLC used to build seats with different parts: 1 plate 2 x 3 and 2 bricks 1 x 2: together, it has the shape of an "L". it's less realistic, it's also not very aesthetic. it is whatever you want it to be. but you can also build other designs with these three parts, if you want to.

in the end, specialised parts limit your options to build other models, but make them more realistic and in many cases more aesthetic as well.

i don't know the answer for your second question. it depends on your own criteria. however, realism scores pretty high in my book... next to the quality/creativity of the design and looks

[Mister Phes]

So that's why LEGO's slogan went from "Just Image" to "Play on"