Bionicle 2016 Sets Discussion

[Chilly_Productions]

I think it probably will. When Hero Factory was launched, it was basically given three years to prove itself, after which LEGO would decide what would happen to it in the future. In 2012 LEGO started developing the Bionicle reboot to take its place, but Hero Factory still got two more years of sets in the intervening time. Their plans for Bionicle seem about the same: three years for it to show how much life it's got in it, and then its fate after that will depend on what those three years have shown.

From what I heard, LEGO paused Bionicle due to decreasing (not bad) sales, then LEGO would figure out what was wrong (A hard to access story), and then unpause it.

[avatarbrickman]

From what I heard, LEGO paused Bionicle due to decreasing (not bad) sales, then LEGO would figure out what was wrong (A hard to access story), and then unpause it.

Yeah, but by the time they unpaused it they already changed the whole constraction system, and couldn't go back. Now the 2016 sets are more technical, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion.

[Chilly_Productions]

Yeah, but by the time they unpaused it they already changed the whole constraction system, and couldn't go back. Now the 2016 sets are more technical, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion.

I think the combination between CCBS and Technic is great.

[xboxtravis7992]

I really hope that gen 2 lasts past 2017.

With that said when Gen 2 dies, at least Bionicle will have a better send off then it did with the Stars of 2010 :)

[dviddy]

Yeah, but by the time they unpaused it they already changed the whole constraction system, and couldn't go back. Now the 2016 sets are more technical, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion.

It wasn't too late to go back, the upgrade to CCBS was planned years before BIONICLE ended, and was potentially designed to be used for BIONICLE. It was in fact, one of the small contributing factors to the line being canceled, as the designers wanted to push further into the CCBS range, but with BIONICLE's decaying/stagnant sales, and smaller market impact, added on to the convoluted and impassable story, the idea of launching CCBS with a different "test" line came about. Had they not canceled it, we would have had CCBS BIONICLE sets instead of CCBS debuting with BIONICLE.

[arc]

It wasn't too late to go back, the upgrade to CCBS was planned years before BIONICLE ended, and was potentially designed to be used for BIONICLE. It was in fact, one of the small contributing factors to the line being canceled, as the designers wanted to push further into the CCBS range, but with BIONICLE's decaying/stagnant sales, and smaller market impact, added on to the convoluted and impassable story, the idea of launching CCBS with a different "test" line came about. Had they not canceled it, we would have had CCBS BIONICLE sets instead of CCBS debuting with BIONICLE.

that's really interesting, makes me wonder what bionicle would've looked like should it have continued, and introduced ccbs.

Picked up umarak a few days ago, I'm liking it. Like others have said, the legs are kinda odd, but other than that I really enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing what the destroyer form will look like.

[Still Raindrop]

I've seen a few of these around and, though I like their looks (particularly Kopaka and Melum), I haven't convinced myself to pick them up. They're great, but none of them is quite good enough in my eyes to pass my tea test (the price of a Toa or a creature can buy a decent amount of tea, so before buying, I always ask myself whether it's worth what I could have in tea).

[xboxtravis7992]

I've seen a few of these around and, though I like their looks (particularly Kopaka and Melum), I haven't convinced myself to pick them up. They're great, but none of them is quite good enough in my eyes to pass my tea test (the price of a Toa or a creature can buy a decent amount of tea, so before buying, I always ask myself whether it's worth what I could have in tea).

I use the tank of gas test. Both gas and plastic are petroleum products, so I think it's a fair trade. A $25-$30 dollar set costs about the same as a tank of gas.

[GK733]

What is the current situation with Shop@Home? Sometimes it brings me to the error page, redirects back to the main page or blames my card.

Also, if there is a topic considering this I would appreciate to have a link cause I don't seem to find it. This is getting really frustrating.

[Bbrink1996]

I sent a few emails to the toystores in my country to ask why the heck they still don't have any 2016 sets including Bionicle. It's weird, last year at this time, all of the toystores in my area had 2015 sets but now they don't? And I got pretty tired of driving up to these stores every few days to check on them so a email is better I think.

Let's hope they have them quick.

[MakutaDreadscythe]

Decided to order Onua and Kopaka after spending time with the other sets I got previously. They did look better than the other toa but I wanted to hold off so it didn't feel disappointing. Also Melum will end up being the first experience woth some of the creature pieces. As cool as they are they don't immediately interest me.

On the whole the wave is a mixed bag. There are some really neat ideas here and there but the execution isn't very smooth. The waist gimmick is really cool once it works, but the QA is lacking; some pieces have too much friction and is squeaks horrendously, others are bordering on being too loose, but not quite.

Finally a majority of the masks are really really nice, better than the Nuva masks IMO and really feel "upgrady" to me.

[Iben]

I e-mailed Lego a week or two ago, and asked if they could give us some more info on why the prices in the Netherlands/Belgium went up while our neighbouring countries didn't. Not only did they reply in a very friendly manner, they offered to give me a set without costs. I assumed it to be shipping costs, so I went for Uxar; but it ended up being free of costs all together aka being free ! Lego really takes customer experience seriously, and I must say that I'm really impressed and grateful !

Although he ain't without flaws, Uxar is really awesome; I just love how they succeeded in creating such cool functions in these creatures whilst keeping them relatively small and compact !

[Bbrink1996]

I e-mailed Lego a week or two ago, and asked if they could give us some more info on why the prices in the Netherlands/Belgium went up while our neighbouring countries didn't.

Yeah I noticed this as well. Mask Maker vs Skull Grinder is €32,99 for some reason among other slight price raises. Did they give you an explanation for that besides offering a free set?

[Darking]

I e-mailed Lego a week or two ago, and asked if they could give us some more info on why the prices in the Netherlands/Belgium went up while our neighbouring countries didn't. Not only did they reply in a very friendly manner, they offered to give me a set without costs. I assumed it to be shipping costs, so I went for Uxar; but it ended up being free of costs all together aka being free ! Lego really takes customer experience seriously, and I must say that I'm really impressed and grateful !

Although he ain't without flaws, Uxar is really awesome; I just love how they succeeded in creating such cool functions in these creatures whilst keeping them relatively small and compact !

What!? That's unbelievaly kind!

By the way, do you refer to prices in the LEGO Shop or in any other retailer?

Because if it's the latter then LEGO owes me a lot of free sets :P

But srsly LEGO y u so expensive in Spain...

Edited January 14, 2016 by Darking

[Strakk]

I sent a few emails to the toystores in my country to ask why the heck they still don't have any 2016 sets including Bionicle. It's weird, last year at this time, all of the toystores in my area had 2015 sets but now they don't? And I got pretty tired of driving up to these stores every few days to check on them so a email is better I think.

Let's hope they have them quick.

I don't know which is your country, but as it was posted by TFGuy89 some pages ago in some parts of the world (Australia for example) they are delayed until March.

However if you are European, from what I have seen so far, they should come out soon (January). Here in Italy, I haven't seen them in stores yet through.

[Dr_Chronos]

The summer sets have been leaked on 4chan.

First impressions; as of right now none of them look appealing, but I hope my opinions will change once toy fair comes along.

The Beasts all seem to be humanoids similar to the Invasion from Below monsters, even down to a similar head design.

Ekimu will probably get some printing to cover up his chest and maybe his mask. I like his hammer but that's about it.

I need to see more of Destroyer Umarak. Right now he looks like an aesthetic downgrade from his Hunter form, although I do like his Ganon-esque appearance. His MoCo seems to look like it melted into his face. You can definitely see the mask is weathered and stretched, and the horns of the mask have become actual horns. That's actually really cool.

I'm usually the most critical type, but to be honest I'm just going to wait until toy fair and set reviews before I slam these poor fellows. I have a feeling the blending, printing, and actual IRL pictures will show them in a slightly better light.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Dr_Chronos

[Bbrink1996]

I don't know which is your country, but as it was posted by TFGuy89 some pages ago in some parts of the world (Australia for example) they are delayed until March.

However if you are European, from what I have seen so far, they should come out soon (January). Here in Italy, I haven't seen them in stores yet through.

I live in the Netherlands which makes it strange considering we are next to Germany where Lego is pretty popular and in earlier years we always had the sets on time. But I have been in contact with various toystores around the country and some say they are releasing 2016 sets this weekend so there is that. :p

[BrickBuilder3213]

The three beasts have some interesting trans-parts. Trans-yellow might be on it's way, after over three years since we last saw it used on Waspix. Ekimu is severely unappealing, but that might be because I need to see the finalized set, first. Umarak the Destroyer is disappointing. So much for an awesome titan that combines with the beasts...

Overall, I'm not impressed.

[DuckBricks]

Ekimu is... weird. First time a Gen 2 Bionicle set actually needs more gold. Trans-blue MoC is very nice, though, although gold and trans-blue blended would be nice.

As for Umarak, I'm pretty disappointed. Since his Hunter version is so good, I was expecting something really great here... Instead we get something that only remotely resembles Umarak because of the horns.

As for the Beasts, I like how they look like grotesque, mutated versions of the creatures, and the trap piece worked into them is interesting. I wonder what ramifications that has for the story.

Overall, the wave is pretty meh, but at least there's no standout "really, really bad" set like Scorpio of our last wave.

I'm usually the most critical type, but to be honest I'm just going to wait until toy fair and set reviews before I slam these poor fellows. I have a feeling the blending, printing, and actual IRL pictures will show them in a slightly better light.

I have this feeling as well. As much as I criticized them above, everyone did the same for the Skull Army leaks, and those sets turned out to be ok, and some were even pretty good like Warrior and Basher.

[VBBN]

Obviously these are preliminary and even what we will see at toy fair next month aren't final, but Umarak the Destroyer is one of the biggest disappointments in terms of what I thought it would be versus what it looks like it actually will be.

I am glad the beasts are bipedal though, hopefully they are all fairly big and not as tiny as the skullies.

Edit: oh goodness me how did I not notice those shins on lava beast...

[Timeline15]

Hmm, it kinda looks like the MoCtrl de-evolved Umarak into some kind of monster. interesting...

The beasts look like they introduce a nice new crystal piece, but I'm not a fan of the lower leg construction (though lava beast has mata red glatorian necks)

And Ekimu.... well, I guess now we know where Tahu stole all his extra gold from. Colour blocking is definitely an issue, may be improved by printing. I also like that he's toa-sized now.

[Bigger Fish]

Does anyone have a link?

[Tarvaxx]

There is a really bad set, and that set is Lava beast. These sets just seem to slap piece on like a lot of Hero Factory sets, as opposed to using them to make shapes like the 2015 and 2016 Toa. It really upsets me that we're taking a step back like this.

[Timeline15]

https://41.media.tum...esg2o1_1280.jpg

( If posting links isn't allowed, let me know and I'll remove it)

Edited January 15, 2016 by Timeline15

[Bigger Fish]

Thanks.