Prince of Persia Theme Review

[CMP]

Intro

Yes, it's a bit late for the theme month. And the pictures may not be 100%. However, they've already had one-of-a-kind reviews. Imagine this a bunch of shortened reviews scrunched together. Here's my question. Was it worth the liscensed theme slot, or would you rather anoth wave of Indy? Let's find out.

Prince of Persia. Here, it has 3 meanings, with various opinions on each. The games? Great! They've made quite a few, and I've heard the reviews are generally positive. The movie is exactly the opposite. The action was gift wrap over the weak story. The Lego line? Well, that's what we're here to find out, isn't it?

Parts

Prince of Persia brought us many things. 19 new molds, many recolors and prints, and even a brand new one. It's known as many things, like Dark Nougat, Medium Dark Flesh, but for our purposes, we'll call it Dark-Svelte-was-wrong. The main colors for this theme are Dark-Svelte-was-wrong, white, tan, dark brown, gold, and occasionally dark tan, brown, and black.

Molds

Let's see what we've got.

Dastan's Hair

Tamina's Hair

Persian Helmet

Camels

Dagger of Time

Bent whip

Sqaure hilt katana, or shamshir

Crossed sword sheaths

Hassassin hood, or kiffeyeh

Spiked pauldron

3 pronged claws

Hand knife

Mini catapult

Normal clip gates

Quarter dome

2x2 jumper plate

1x3x2 curved arch

Ostrich (2 parts)

Gripes? None!

My favorite? The Hassassin hood. It's very useful, especially in black. I'm glad it comes in white once, though.

There are too many recolors to count, unfortunately.

Another part this theme excelled in was the figures. Every single one boasted a new print.

Normal Dastan (DA, FftD, QaT, BoA)

Shirtless Dastan (tOR)

Tamina (FftD, QaT)

Nizam (QaT, BoA)

Sheik Amar (tOR)

Seso (BoA)

Zolm (QaT)

Claw Hassassin (DA)

Hatchet Hassassin (DA)

Gool (BoA)

Tamah (BoA)

Angry Guard (BoA)

Happy Guard (BoA)

Asoka (FftD)

Merchant (FftD)

Ostrich Jockey (tOR)

Gripes? Not many. The Ostrich Jockey is recycled from Asoka's body and Tamah's head, and the Merchant's from Gool, but they're great prints anyway! However, we do run into the Indy probelm with Dastan, but it's solved by having him shirtless in one set. I'm glas the 2 other main characters (izam and Tamina) both show up twice.

My favorite? Zolm. He's simply awesome, from the dark brown pants to the snakeskin-looking shirt to the hood to the cape to the wounded/blind face.

But wait! How does one obtain these wonderful parts? The answer? I'm not telling, because if you can't solve it, well...

The Sets

The centerpiece of any Lego collection. This little golden theme brought us 5, in the usual way waves normally go. A $10, a $20, a $30, a $50, and a $80. We'll go through them in...financial order?

(Credit for box pics goes to grogall and Whitefang, but I shot the little action scenes)

Desert Attack

#7569 57 Parts USD: 10.99 GBP: 9.99

Dastan rides his trusty horse over the infamous Skeleton Rock. IT'S A TRAP! The Hassassins are waiting for him, and are not above ambush! Can Dastan survive?(Not satisfied with this pic at all)

It's almost like an ancient battlepack. A floppy skeleton and a horse, especially printed, along with a sand blue saddle, are always welcome. A tan bush, a blay leafy piece, and 2 dark brown spears make this a set to remember. Figs include Dastan, Claw Hassassin and Hatchet Hassassin.

Figs: 9/10

Price: 8/10

Parts: 9/10

Build: 7/10

Playability: 8/10

Overall: 41/50:

The Ostrich Race

#7570 169 Parts USD: 19.99 GBP: 14.99

Dastan must race across the Valley of Slaves to Alamut. The only way to do it is in a deadly ostrich race. IT'S A TRAP! Sheik's top racer has brought a spear along for the ride. Does Dastan have a chance, or will he get trampled?

Not bad. Most of the parts go into the opening gate. It's kind of meh, but the parts and the mechanism work fine. I love the ostriches, and the figs are unique (but it doesn't make much sense for them to really 'fight'). Some extra weapons, the gold grate and flags make it a worthy set.

Figs: 7/10

Price: 7/10

Parts: 8/10

Build: 6/10

Playability: 8/10

Overall: 36/50:

The Fight for the Dagger

#7175 258 Parts USD: 29.99 GBP: 29.99

Tamina and Dastan have the Dagger, but now they need to escape. Dastan decides to sneak across the wall to fight Asoka, while Tamina slips past. IT'S A TRAP! Not at all pleased at the use of his market stall as a battlefield, the merchant attempts to steal the Dagger as payment for his destroyed property! Who will win? What will happen to the Dagger? Why is the merchant holding a chicken leg?

Fine figs, 1 very common, 1 only found in 1 other set, and 2 exclusive. Not to mention a camel, and a lot of golden dome pieces. The cloth market roof is great as well, all for a good $30. Good playability, and if you just want to sample the theme, this is the set for you.

Figs: 7/10

Price: 8/10

Parts: 8/10

Build: 9/10

Playability: 9/10

Overall: 41/50:

Quest Against Time

#7572 506 Parts USD: 49.99 GBP: 39.99

Dastan and Tamina have made their way across the chambers of time. IT'S A TRAP! Nizam and Zolm are about to put the Dagger into the Sands of Time! Tamina quickly trys to take the Dagger from Nizam, while Dastan accidentally falls prey to a false platform while fighting Zolm! Can they brave these impossible odds?

More of a playset than the Battle of Alamut, but that's not a bad thing. It's got 5 traps, all work well, and the Sands of Time is awesome. The figs, while mostly just common, has an exclusive one as well. The parts selection is especially good.

Figs: 7/10

Price: 8/10

Parts: 9/10

Build: 9/10

Playability: 10/10

Overall: 42/50:

Battle of Alamut

#7573 821 Parts USD: 79.99 GBP: 69.99

The final assault on the sacred city. Seso and Dastan have only a flaming ballista and a camel to assist them in seizing the mighty palace from guards, Nizam, and hired Hassassins. Perhaps they can destroy a part of the wall, or climb up through the narrow wooden staircase. IT'S A TRAP! A bucket of boiling oil awaits them if they break in from the gate. But where is the Dagger itself?

I'm not playing. This is one of the greatest sets Lego has ever released. The palace is packed to the brim with detail, while still retaining playability. All but 2 of the figs are exclusive. The walls are studded for running up them, and the gate is complete with boiling oil. Simply unbelievable.

Figs: 10/10

Price: 10/10

Parts: 10/10

Build: 10/10

Playability: 10/10

Overall: 50/50:

It is clear the best set is Alamut. The grand total price is $190, the grand part total is 1811, if my math is correct.

Conclusion

Molds. Recolors. New colors. Fantastic figs. Wonderful sets. Uneblievable desgin. It's safe to say this theme lies in the top 5 Lego themes of all time. They are on sale right now in many places because the movie bombed. Now is the best time to snatch 'em up, because after then, they'll probably stop production to be replaced by Pirates of the Carribbean.

THIS...IS...PERSIA!!!

(I've reached the max poll questions, so you'll need to leave your comments on the entire line in a post. )

Edited September 14, 2010 by CallMePie

[freakwave]

Thank you for this tribute to this wonderful theme.

I have to agree with you, PoP is a real classy theme. Colorwise and partwise it opens a whole new world to build in! I was lucky that I was in the US when they came out and TrU had their first promos. So my suitcase was full with mostly two of each set, except the ostrich race. Which I am getting now again to stock up on parts.

I am sad that this was only very shortlived and we do not see a second wave. However I think this was Lego's intention from the beginning.

It is a great inspiration hopefully for a lot of MOCs to come

fW

[lightningtiger]

Thanks 'CallMePie' for this overview of a theme soon over but never to be forgotten !

For me the only one I didn't like was Quest Against Time - it didn't do anything for me , ans still I don't have my Battle of Alamut - still would like it have it in my castle/kingdom's collection (canned the layby for King's Castle - well I was one of the first in that store to buy one - why not ! )

Again thanks and I'm a conformist! !

[Fugazi]

Great theme review, thanks CallMePie!

Probably that a Lego PoP movie would have sold better in the theaters ahah! I don't know how far this theme could have been pushed had there been a second wave, but I'm quite happy with the sets that we did get. I love the part selection, the minifig prints, the animals, and the new colour that will survive to be used in other themes as well (by the way officially it's Medium Nougat, Dark Nougat is another colour altogether).

I don't really mind that the theme didn't endure, I'd rather have one great wave of sets than a boring theme that keeps going forever *cough*Atlantis*cough*... Variety is the spice of life!

[BearHeart]

This is a great sum-up!

PoP was a great theme for many reasons even though it lasted only one wave. As mentioned, it gave us tonnes of new pieces and colors, two new animals and a great printed mod of the horse piece. The PoP pieces can be used in Indiana Jones MOCs because of the similar themes and locations as well as history, fantasy and desert MOCs.

I personally got every set except for "Quest against Time" and I got multiples of the smaller sets. There's a sale at my local TRU on PoP sets right now and I'm tempted to pick up some more of them before they're gone forever :).

[squiz]

Yeah thanks for the review! I was impressed with the theme. I bought most of the sets after seeing the movie (and they were all on sale!!), which i thought was pretty good for what it was.

The minifigs are great, lots of detail. Probably would have prefered to have yellow figs instead of fleshies but i guess thats standard in all licensed sets. I thought flight of the dagger was the best set, nice figs and a compact set. Closely followed by alamut which is also great. Picked up the Ostrich race too, mainly for the ostriches Didnt feel the need to get the dessert attack, the horse is good but not much to it other than that. Really dont like the quest against time, i dont think its well designed, more of a play set than anything else which is fine, lego is a toy afterall, but im not fussed about that side of things!

Some great parts were introduced, i have spent time this summer in oman so im hoping to recreate some middle eastern architecture using these parts.

[CMP]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I have to agree with you, PoP is a real classy theme. Colorwise and partwise it opens a whole new world to build in! I was lucky that I was in the US when they came out and TrU had their first promos. So my suitcase was full with mostly two of each set, except the ostrich race. Which I am getting now again to stock up on parts.

Two of eash set? You'll have to show us your Alamut. Walls twice as long, a palace twice as tall...

For me the only one I didn't like was Quest Against Time - it didn't do anything for me , ans still I don't have my Battle of Alamut - still would like it have it in my castle/kingdom's collection (canned the layby for King's Castle - well I was one of the first in that store to buy one - why not !

I can see that Quest Against Time would be a turn off for most AFOLs. But it makes for a great playset/Persian part pack.

I don't know how far this theme could have been pushed had there been a second wave, but I'm quite happy with the sets that we did get.

I don't really mind that the theme didn't endure, I'd rather have one great wave of sets than a boring theme that keeps going forever *cough*Atlantis*cough*... Variety is the spice of life!

Agreed, completely. But since the movie didn't appeal to kids, clearly the set didn't either. And yes, I'd trade in an Atlantis wave for another Prince of Persia one.

PoP was a great theme for many reasons even though it lasted only one wave. As mentioned, it gave us tonnes of new pieces and colors, two new animals and a great printed mod of the horse piece. The PoP pieces can be used in Indiana Jones MOCs because of the similar themes and locations as well as history, fantasy and desert MOCs.

I personally got every set except for "Quest against Time" and I got multiples of the smaller sets. There's a sale at my local TRU on PoP sets right now and I'm tempted to pick up some more of them before they're gone forever :).

If it's on sale, get Quest Against time. It looks stunning in real life, believe me. I like to play with my Legos, so I don't regret getting it at all.

Yeah thanks for the review! I was impressed with the theme. I bought most of the sets after seeing the movie (and they were all on sale!!), which i thought was pretty good for what it was.

Some great parts were introduced, i have spent time this summer in oman so im hoping to recreate some middle eastern architecture using these parts.

All on sale? Nice one! Also, I would suggest getting Desert Attack, since you have all the others. The full band of Hassassins grouped together is like an image of death itself. Oh man, I gotta take a picture of that. I look forward to seeing pictures of these buildings.

[Tervlon]

Great review, thanks for going so in depth. The breakdown of the new molds was especially interesting. I'm a huge fan of this line without ever seeing the movie. I've been purposely stocking up on this line because I know I'll miss the parts when they're gone. The sales have indeed been great on these both at stores and online. Thanks to Barnes & Nobles coupons and BrickFair I got great deals on the bigger sets.

DA x3 2@40% off

tOR x1

FftD x2 1@40% off

QaT x1 @50% off

BoA x2 both @50% off

PoP its been a great ride, I'll hate to see you go. For me it was a unique and new theme we hadn't ever seen that resulted in great colors, beautiful new parts (I love the Camel!), and the best selection of figures in any licensed theme (even Indy & SW, imo).

[CMP]

The breakdown of the new molds was especially interesting. I'm a huge fan of this line without ever seeing the movie.

I thought just having the names would be boring, so I linked them. As for the movie...well...if you're getting a DVD, I'd suggest Iron Man 2 more.

[fff]

Great Review, and i really think 99% like you. I believe PoP is highly underrated, and i can't understand why everybody is talking only about the spartan... the persian guards are terrific as well!!

I would have loved a battlepack of persian soldiers, and Alamut defenders. And other additional sets could include palace stages, with Dastan brothers... I cry just thinking it is over

[baazzaa]

i have to agree that Prince of Persia was Lego-Tastic. so much new pieces, not quite sure as a 'Licensed Theme' it was really that successfull, but it was better than what i thought.

to the parts bins lego troopers!

barry over and out

10-4!

[Flare]

Wow, now I want the entire series

Nice work, but you forgot "ITS A TRAP!" in the last one!

[Masked Builder]

Wow, now I want the entire series

Same here.

[CMP]

Wow, now I want the entire series

Nice work, but you forgot "ITS A TRAP!" in the last one!

First off, you should. Go and get it now!

Second of all, I fixed that.

[prateek]

Wow! I just loved this theme. This was probably one of the best themes in the past 10 years. All the new pieces, colours, everything is awesome! I agree that BoA is one of the best sets ever! I really want it now I have FftD, and it looks really good beside Boa!

Edited September 14, 2010 by prateek

[flat_four]

Great overview and I agree its a great theme.

Have not long come out my so called 'dark age' and am really glad I caught this theme. Ive managed to get a few of each set while on sale mainly just to get parts for potential future MOCs. As sets Battle of alamut and Fight for the dagger are my clear favourites even though I havnt actually built the BOA yet!

I am sad that this was only very shortlived and we do not see a second wave. However I think this was Lego's intention from the beginning.

I think your right. Even if they did try to do a film sequel(which I doubt) i dont think we'd get LEGO sets. I seem to remeber Argos reducing their prices within 3/4 weeks of them being released, and the disney store cleared their stocks with a 50% off sale not that long after. Obviously i dont know the actual figures but thats surely not a sign of a successful theme. A shame but at least it leaves room for something else.

I would have loved a battlepack of persian soldiers, and Alamut defenders. And other additional sets could include palace stages, with Dastan brothers... I cry just thinking it is over

Totally agree with the battle packs idea, especially with 50% off

A Spartan one would be nice too

Ben

[CMP]

I think there was still a lot of potential. Perhaps a larger set fom Valley of Slaves, maybe that cave where Dastan fought his brother, possibly a real Hassassin's Hideout with that little shack.

[sok117]

Personally, I can't say I really liked PoP, besides the pieces, the sets didn't reeally do much for me. Your review though was good nonetheless, but the only set I own is desert attack, and that was just to swap the turbin of my ambush in cairo swordsman. Speaking of which, I'd prefer Indiana Jones to PoP anyday.

[CMP]

Personally, I can't say I really liked PoP, besides the pieces, the sets didn't reeally do much for me. Your review though was good nonetheless, but the only set I own is desert attack, and that was just to swap the turbin of my ambush in cairo swordsman. Speaking of which, I'd prefer Indiana Jones to PoP anyday.

They can't do anything for you if you don't own them.

[Tervlon]

Personally, I can't say I really liked PoP, besides the pieces, the sets didn't reeally do much for me. Your review though was good nonetheless, but the only set I own is desert attack, and that was just to swap the turbin of my ambush in cairo swordsman. Speaking of which, I'd prefer Indiana Jones to PoP anyday.

IJ is preferable, but PoP adds a lot of pieces we can use in IJ. I really did feel sad when IJ ended but PoP filled in nicely. BTW, I'm still really ticked we didn't get the IJ Tank from the Last Crusade!

[BeKindRewind]

Great overall review! I also think that a second wave could have been made. There were locations and characters not Lego-ized that could have stood a chance at selling well. Lego has, at least to some degree, tried to add many different cultures to its list of themes (Caribbean, Native American, Asian) and I think it was about time Middle Eastern architecture was showcased and I for one loved the look of the sets. But for me, the 3 main reasons why I love PoP are: camel, kiffeyeh, and the three-clawed hand weapon (awesome!).

Slightly off topic, I just watched the movie for the first time and I have no idea who Asoka is from the Fight for the Dagger set. Was he in the movie?

[Commander Laquiet]

Great review! It's a great idea to have a theme review as well as individual sets. It provides good comparisons between the sets and a good overall view.

I agree with the masses who think that Prince of Persia has been a fantastic theme. Even though I'll be sad to see it go, someone said earlier that it was much better to have one wave of great sets, rather than a million waves of mediocre sets. I completely agree.

My personal favourite in the theme was Fight for the Dagger. The building in the set itself was great, and it was packed with useful, sometimes rare pieces. It had great minifigs, and was easily MOC/MOD-able, too. I think it is one of the best sets in it's price range that Lego has released for a long time.

The Battle of Alamut was also a brilliant set, testament to the whole theme.

EDIT: I almost forgot! What was the whole reason I originally liked the look of the sets? The Camel! Lego

Edited September 18, 2010 by Commander Laquiet

[Adrian86]

Thanks for this great review! The Prince of Persia theme was one of my favourites besides Indy and City. It added a whole new look to my collection and the minifigures were great too. As I really enjoyed the movie I would have loved to see a second wave, but this one wave had a lot of great things to keep it in good memories, so I won´t overly complain.

[jamzee]

Being a huge Prince Of Persia fan on the PS3 and subsequent movie, I have found the charm of the POP Lego irresistible! I got the Battle of Alamut a few weeks ago although I've not built it yet but cannot wait, I really like the mini-movies too on Lego's website, fantastic...

Edited September 19, 2010 by jamzee

[Zzz]

(Boy, what filthy spam crap )

On topic: One of the best themes we ever got in my book. Amazing minifigs, new pieces and colours, animals! The buildings look amazing, and it gave us something we never had, an oriental castle theme. I am very sorry that it doesn't seem to sell too well, in a lot of countries the sets are already on sale, just half a year on the shelfs.. That is really disappointing, and makes me afraid TLC will not decide that freely to go for new themes like these in the future. Relying on City and Creator helped them avoid bankruptcy and whatever we want or say, it might be true that those "basic" (no offense, City-lovers!) sets make the money. The decision for PotC seems to be home and dry, luckily. Otherwise they might want to overthink that. Going to the movies or buying a DVD doesn't make you buy a Lego set it seems. And I found it very strange since the PoP sets work really well without the Disney and licence thing and the prices are fair (no Swamp-Speeder-ing here). As I said befrore, they are amazing, not considering the movie at all. Enlighten me, but there doesn't seem to be a demand for historical minifig themes. Either that or everyone was just waiting to buy and prices will skyrocket like Batman or SW after they are gone.