Bionicle 2016 Sets Discussion

[Lord-Vorahk]

I feel like there's a bit of a "Bionicle Cycle" since the reboot.

1) First pictures leak

2) Hype starts to build

3) Clearer pictures leak

4) Half the fanbase decides that the new sets are terrible and LEGO is trying to ruin Bionicle for the old fans.

5) The fanbase expresses the exact same thoughts over and over again on forums while scouring the images for the slightest hint of new content

6) FInal pictures release

7) Repeat step four and five

8) Sets release

9) Everyone goes and buys them regardless

10) Two weeks later, people start demanding the next set of leaks

[Fulcrumfan91]

I feel like there's a bit of a "Bionicle Cycle" since the reboot.

1) First pictures leak

2) Hype starts to build

3) Clearer pictures leak

4) Half the fanbase decides that the new sets are terrible and LEGO is trying to ruin Bionicle for the old fans.

5) The fanbase expresses the exact same thoughts over and over again on forums while scouring the images for the slightest hint of new content

6) FInal pictures release

7) Repeat step four and five

8) Sets release

9) Everyone goes and buys them regardless

10) Two weeks later, people start demanding the next set of leaks

LOL this is so true!!! Guilty.

[Dorek]

I feel like there's a bit of a "Bionicle Cycle" since the reboot.

1) First pictures leak

2) Hype starts to build

3) Clearer pictures leak

4) Half the fanbase decides that the new sets are terrible and LEGO is trying to ruin Bionicle for the old fans.

5) The fanbase expresses the exact same thoughts over and over again on forums while scouring the images for the slightest hint of new content

6) FInal pictures release

7) Repeat step four and five

8) Sets release

9) Everyone goes and buys them regardless

10) Two weeks later, people start demanding the next set of leaks

5.5) People post observations of said behavior hoping that things will change

5.6) Things don't change

also #9 is where the biggest issue is; people straight up don't buy the sets sometimes because of whatever weird preconceived notions they develop. It all gets to be rather tiresome, really.

[Takanuinuva]

Isn't this list for all Constraction waves? I'm sure we've had this discussion during Hero Factory's run. And maybe even during G1 though I hadn't joined this site back then.

[Fulcrumfan91]

5.5) People post observations of said behavior hoping that things will change

5.6) Things don't change

also #9 is where the biggest issue is; people straight up don't buy the sets sometimes because of whatever weird preconceived notions they develop. It all gets to be rather tiresome, really.

Sorry, how is 9 an issue? He said people buy all the sets regardless.

[Dorek]

Sorry, how is 9 an issue? He said people buy all the sets regardless.

My point is that they don't. Plenty of people here might (or at least, they say they do, which is a different issue altogether) but there's certainly a percentage at large that doesn't buy the sets based on their initial presumptions.

Isn't this list for all Constraction waves? I'm sure we've had this discussion during Hero Factory's run. And maybe even during G1 though I hadn't joined this site back then.

Haha, I didn't even notice that it said "reboot". Yeah, it happens every year, for many years now.

[Aethersprite]

Well, it's a tradition. What's Bionicle without its ever-complaining fanbase?

[Shakar]

These aren't getting enough hate compared to the Skeletons, though. I'm worried : P

[MakutaOfWar]

You know, the elemental "hair" is really growing on me. It's at least something we haven't seen in neither G1 or G2 and doesn't seem to take away from the masks at all, in my opinion. Also, Lewa's mask looks like Inika Kongu's to me.

[Iben]

You know, I'm more annoyed by people who constantly comment on people who don't like stuff than people who say they don't like certain sets. You can't expect every single person to like every set. I don't understand why people make such a big deal of it really. I didn't like Skull Scorpio when he got leaked, I didn't like him when we got the official set pictures and I still don't like him after my brother getting it. That really shouldn't be such a big deal as people make of it. Of course it gets annoying when there's a specific member who constantly repeats (s)he that they're ugly, but on the other hand I wouldn't like it if the only comments that were allowed were the positive ones.

Anyway, I personally look forward to the other beasts we'll be getting. A small piece of me hopes that we'll get darker colours for the other beasts, to get a nice division between them. It would be cool to have dark-blue, dark-red and other dark colours in sets, whether those already exist in shell-form or not.

-Iben

[ZORK64]

Actually, the whole cycle described above can apply to almost every fandom of a long-time franchise. The whole debate of G1 vs. G2 Bonkles is very reminiscent of the "Ruined FOREVER" debates over in the Transformers Fandom, and the enormous amount of fan dumb over in the Zelda fandom is part of the reason why I rarely interact with that community (at least when it comes to the German fandom, don't know how's the situation is in other countries).

I think it's just a natural part of the evolution of a fandom and a franchise. In order to keep going, a franchise will go and try new things, which some people will like, while others won't. The problem that I keep seeing is that many people are apparently expecting that even the new stuff is still exactly like the old stuff and every kind of change is plain terrible, which kind of boggles me everytime.

[Onepu the Protector]

also #9 is where the biggest issue is; people straight up don't buy the sets sometimes because of whatever weird preconceived notions they develop. It all gets to be rather tiresome, really.

Sorry but you're making it sound like there's something wrong with not buying the sets for whatever reason.

[Leewan]

Sorry but you're making it sound like there's something wrong with not buying the sets for whatever reason.

Not for whatever reason, but because you don't like the look of the sets in the prelims. At least that's how I understood his post.

[Dorek]

Right, I'm saying that people develop an opinion based on something not finalized and then don't update said opinions based on new information.

On the flip side, you also have the idea that you can't necessarily know what a set is like until you build it (which makes reviewing a challenge) but I do understand that we're not all made of money. Keeping an open mind is the key.

[Fulcrumfan91]

Right, I'm saying that people develop an opinion based on something not finalized and then don't update said opinions based on new information.

On the flip side, you also have the idea that you can't necessarily know what a set is like until you build it (which makes reviewing a challenge) but I do understand that we're not all made of money. Keeping an open mind is the key.

Ah that is very true. When I finished building Kopaka, I just knew I liked him the best. I was never originally going to buy him too....would have really missed out on having him.

[Onepu the Protector]

Thanks for clarification. :) However, I believe that, most of the time, the finalized sets aren't that different from the leaks - they look better because of an improved CGI and nice backgrounds but the general construction stays the same.

[ToaDraco]

I really like how Onua looks and the more I look at him the more I like him, especially his mask. At first it was off-putting but it is very reminiscent of the movie version of Toa Whenua's mask which I think is cool. I just really like it and it even has a few subtle nods to the Pakri Nuva with the square vents on the side and the almost-spikes along the top of his mask. I also like that the silver goes around the mask as opposed to just being on the top like the rest of the Toa, it looks better that way imo, at least for his mask.I think that look could have worked on Pohatu too but he'd be the only other one.

On a side note, I just got Grievous and oh my yes, he is large and in charge. Although Umarak won't be that big, he still looks like he will be bigger than Kulta so that might be a good sign of the potential for a Grievous-sized character. Perhaps Umarak the Destroyer will be more comparable in size.

[Scarilian]

Given it some time for thoughts on sets, so here is my list in order of most to least wanted;

- **Ikir: Creature of Fire**

Tempted to have a group of these bird-like creatures, they just look cute

- **Terak: Creature of Earth**

Purple overload - being a colour-swap of Melum, i kinda prefer this set due to the darker colours and the mole-like design works.

- **Akida: Creature of Water**

A nice little build and one of my favourites of the creature designs of the creature sets, though have no MOC'ing need for the pieces

- **Umarak the Hunter**

Only this high up because of the Mask Of Control

- **Pohatu: Uniter of Stone**

Brown lower chest piece sells this set for me as the best Toa

- **Kopaka & Melum Unity Set**

Two sets in one and a rather interesting seemingly custom body

- **Uxar: Creature of Jungle**

The weakest creature sets, using primarily LoSS legs

- **Ketar: Creature of Stone**

The weakest creature sets, using primarily LoSS legs

- **Tahu: Uniter of Fire**

Feels like it has too much gold, not much going for it other than the excessive gold and trans-orange, feels like the 2015 version just with a new body design

- **Lewa: Uniter of Jungle**

Mask doesn't feel enough like the 2015 version

- **Gali: Uniter of Water**

Build just looks bland and uninteresting

- **Onua: Uniter of Earth**

Just doesnt feel like an evolution of the 2015 set, Legs and arms seem simply while the body just seems bad judging from what we can see of the connections. Shoulder skull villain pieces feel out-of-place.

As for maybe getting duplicates, not sure if i will for these sets. They offer some cool pieces, but unless the body is spectacular then I'm not seeing much of a reason. I may pick-up a few of Ikir and Akida - however everything else doesn't really meet my needs for what i want with multiple sets.

I feel like there's a bit of a "Bionicle Cycle" since the reboot.

1) First pictures leak

2) Hype starts to build

3) Clearer pictures leak

4) Half the fanbase decides that the new sets are terrible and LEGO is trying to ruin Bionicle for the old fans.

5) The fanbase expresses the exact same thoughts over and over again on forums while scouring the images for the slightest hint of new content

6) FInal pictures release

7) Repeat step four and five

8) Sets release

9) Everyone goes and buys them regardless

10) Two weeks later, people start demanding the next set of leaks

I think the worst aspect is a new step that occurs throughout the process of leaks to release and even beyond;

?) People try to categorise the reaction to Bionicle into a cycle and then use that cycle to dismiss any criticisms of anything and expect that people will buy the sets regardless, without noticing that if there was ever something that would be the death for Bionicle its the mindset that every new sets is just going to be brought regardless and that any criticism made about the new sets is not valid.

There are still sets nowadays that people dislike because of the same issues they mentioned before and there are many people who still have not brought specific sets because they just dont like them. Never got the idea of why people believe that fans are so fickle in their opinions that they'll automatically drop them and buy a set they previously disliked just because its been released.

---

Before anyone says, i really like the 2016 sets, i feel each is a vast improvement over what we got for 2015, i'm just not sure why everyone thinks that the initial reactions to sets dont matter. Sure some will change their opinions and get the sets, but a cycle of Bionicle should'nt be used to dismiss critiques that are brought up.

Edited October 5, 2015 by Scarilian

[MakutaOfWar]

I'm a little worried about how well the swivel function works, especially on Umarak. Looking at the pics again it seems the torso armor will easily obstruct it's degree of motion. But then again how much swivel do we actually need.

[Fulcrumfan91]

I'm a little worried about how well the swivel function works, especially on Umarak. Looking at the pics again it seems the torso armor will easily obstruct it's degree of motion. But then again how much swivel do we actually need.

Eh depends on what people want out of the sets. I don't care as long as the figure is really fun to play around with...that doesn't necessarily mean it needs a gear function or swivel function for me

[GK733]

I'm afraid that they will be flat on the back like the Inika for not having a gearbox. Yet again I have only seen them from the front. though I guess because they will have to connect with the creatures the backs will look more filled.

[Fulcrumfan91]

I'm afraid that they will be flat on the back like the Inika for not having a gearbox. Yet again I have only seen them from the front. though I guess because they will have to connect with the creatures the backs will look more filled.

I'm hoping they're at least covered from the back...otherwise, buying the creatures will be necessary for all the toa...and I'm afraid that is a possibility.

[Shakar]

I can see a Rahkshi-style waist movement feature working since they all wield blades or pole weapons, but what about Umarak? Does his fighting style revolve around whacking people with his giant crossbow?

[Logan McOwen]

Not necessarily whacking, but one could certainly aim the bow using the function.

[MakutaOfWar]

I actually think Umarak's bow has the potential to be a decent melee weapon lore-wise depending on his strength and the durability of the bow. Also, don't forget his secondary which actually is a melee weapon.