Magic in Lego Kingdoms; what role does it play?

[metalandi]

Well, the overall castle theme hasn't ever really stopped once since it was introduced, so i'm positive it won't stop in the near future. We might see several other sub-themes over the next years, but it certainly won't be stopped. And with the quality of recent sets, i'm really looking forward to the future.

[josykay]

Lego Castle has been stopped when Lego introduced Knights Kingdom 1 and especialy Knights Kingdom2. I think, you can compare it with the Lego Junior Pirate releases.

But Castle came back.

Btw:

Castle was setting in the same "world" until KK 2... are the new Castle sets now back in the "original" Castle world?

Edited June 3, 2010 by josykay

[Artifex]

From what we've seen so far, I guess this new line will be more realistic than the previous ones.

Although there are some magical or fantasy elements (the blue and green wizards - and the baby dragon, someone might add), I guess the level of magic/fantasy will be left to each fan: you may have your wizards casting fireballs on each other, or they may be simple alchemists and masters of old/secret/occult knowledge/lore.

[DaleDVM]

I like the fantasy, magical, and historical elements from the castle themed sets. Oh lets face it I just love the castle theme altogether!

I would be very very surprised if LEGO does not come out with an adult dragon in the next wave of sets. My nephew loves the dragons and so do his friends. At age 11 he is the target audience for this theme.

I think the magic in this theme is going to be far more powerfull than any of us can possibly imagine!

[Dragonator]

Thanks for making this topic SoT, the replies have been very interesting to read. For me, I feel that the whole concept of having magic in the theme is purposefully left up to the imagination and interpretation of the person buying the sets. The inclusion of the wizard, baby dragons etc gives room for there to be magic present, on a different level to the more "fantasy" based theme we've had the last 2 years. I think it is aiming at a more traditional style European view of magic, back from the pre-Tolkien era, when magic was the realm of wizards and mythological creatures like dragons, rather than orcs, dwarves and elves. It allows for the child to imagine the applications of this magic, rather than forcing one particular concept on them, which is quite nice from a design perspective. While the theme is clearly dominated by human vs human conflict, the inclusion of magic is most definitely a viable possibility. The theme is very much a return to the classic 80s and 90s sets, where magic is embodied by the presence of wizards and dragons, most notably in the Dragon Knights, and then we saw the development of the Fright Knights, a faction more designed around a magical element than a human conflict element.

When it comes down to it though, the use of magic in this theme is more open like the classic sets; there is the option for its inclusion, but there is also the option for it to be just a minor side element, much like "magic" was in medieval Europe (alchemists etc). I quite like this approach, as it allows flexibility for all castle fans, those who enjoy traditional and realistic castles and those who enjoy more fantasy orientated castles, unlike the last line which predominately catered to only fantasy fans. This line feels a lot more like the original castle lines from Lego, and I'm looking forward to getting hold of all these sets when they arrive on the shores of NZ in September.

[gotoAndLego]

I feel that there is plenty of fantasy and magic in the new sets. You have reapers, skeletons, wizards, goblins, etc. But is a well rounded theme as there are plenty of historical aspects to it.

[Dan the Brickman]

...

With that said, the thought of Elves and woodland creatures would really add to the theme and make it more unique then that of past Castle sub-themes.

....

I have always pondered how lego would do elves if they ever decided to.

mayhaps the best method would be for a special hairpiece, with the pointed ears 'cut-out' like on some of the regular hair. Only it would be pointier....

yes, more woodland creatures would be good though.

[Artifex]

I have always pondered how lego would do elves if they ever decided to.

mayhaps the best method would be for a special hairpiece, with the pointed ears 'cut-out' like on some of the regular hair. Only it would be pointier....

yes, more woodland creatures would be good though.

Nice idea: hairpiece wit pointed ears. I like that!