Castle Designs

[SWMAN]

So, in the years and years of the Castle theme, Lego has gone back and forth between two different types of castles. One, the standard wrap-around four walls castle that has play room in the middle. A recent example is 7094. Two, the front-wall castle that has a little bit of depth, but it open in the back. A recent example is 10176. During the years of the Knights Kingdom, Lego went to the second choice. Now, they have reverted back to the wrap around. Personally, I like the wrap around better. What do you think?

[KimT]

First a few comparison pics:

10176 Castle Open at back

7094 Castle Wrap-around

375 Castle Classic Wrap-around

I like the wrap-around castles better.

Simply because they allow you to add on.

I remember several cool addon sets for the castles in the 80's and none for the 90's

Not much of a discussion to be had here

I think a lot of AFOLs and KFOLs are more than happy with the turn the Castle theme has made within the past years. TLG is getting back to the style that we all love and it seems like new fans of LEGO also prefer that kind of design.

Thank you TLG for the greatest castle theme ever - yes ever.

The new Fantasy Era/Castle is awesome and beats any preceeding Castle theme.- All we need now is some sort of forestmen addition.

[metalandi]

I like the style with having closed every side way better. Though for example 10176 has some great playability features, i think for the overall look the recent builing styles are much better. You can build with hinges or modular technique so the buildngs can be opened, like the new outstanding castle square set.

I agree with you KimT, the 80's castle stuff was really great and i love the idea that you can basically add everything to a castle with just adding 2x2 bricks with hole and a technic pin.

Edited October 11, 2008 by metalandi

[Sammael]

Wrap-around for me as well. In general, I prefer buildings with all four walls which can open in some way for added play value (e.q. my Forestmen River Fortress, 6077).

[KimT]

Wrap-around for me as well. In general, I prefer buildings with all four walls which can open in some way for added play value (e.q. my Forestmen River Fortress, 6077).

Mmmm Forestmen

6077 Forestmen River Fortress

[dj2005]

Mmmm Forestmen

6077 Forestmen River Fortress

Ah Forestmen, my favorite LEGO minifigs. And I agree with the others - wrap-around is best.

[hewkii9]

Wraparound for me as well. One exception though is Battle at the Pass - loved that set.

[Guss]

I like wrap around better ^^ but open castles are better for playability I think.

[Zorro]

Reality: wrap around castles.

Playability: open castles.

MY FAVORITE: wrap around castles...

[metalandi]

Well, wrap around does not except the possibility of playabilty. for example as i said there are many good possibilities to have good playability n sets with 4 walls, as with modular floors or openable buildings with hinges.

[kill will]

Wrap-around, definately. @ hewkii9, Battle on the pass is just one big wall, I'm not sure what you mean.

[KimT]

Actually I'd call Battle at the Pass a wrap-around set.

It looks more like an "addon" to me

[Stash2Sixx]

Wrap around or enclosed castles are the best, hands down!

And yes, this newest line of Castle sets we have now are the BEST ever.

[Sandy]

I'd actually prefer a castle that could be opened from the middle like a dollhouse. It would have both great accessibility and realistic looks.

So I vote neither.

[hewkii9]

Wrap-around, definately. @ hewkii9, Battle on the pass is just one big wall, I'm not sure what you mean.

At the time of posting I considered it an open castle because it's all a front, although it's built so it can be closed up mostly, so I'd consider it both now.

[Dadster]

I prefer the wrap-around myself.

[NewRight]

I personally think the rap-around is better. I feels more complete. The open-backs were most likely designed only to be played with, but then again most LEGO sets are only designed for that reason anyway.