Hero Factory 2010

[Lordofdragonss]

Idea:

If you hit a "H sign" in body of agori kids with thornax- they will "explode" lauching the body limbs.

You know what I mean right?

[Strakk]

I just....don't like these sets.

I can't see any innovative features.

Even if the torso might be different they have almost all the same design.

They look like advanced agori/stars/av-matoran. The bad guys are better but still have the same boring build.

The new parts are cool though.

I might be the only one to think this but I prefer the Glatorian legends.

Seriously, I'm disappointed. I'm happy that they aren't called Bionicle.

[Zarkan]

Don't have time to make a long comment, but I'm honestly not nearly as wowed by these new sets as you guys are. Sure, the heads and weapons are great (for the most part), but the actual designs are terrible, with huge, ugly bodies and more one piece limbs. Seriously, what's with TLC spending money to make a new Av-matoran-like limb when they also could have spent that money to make a new limb piece like the ones used in the large Bionicle canister sets?

So far, the only sets that really look good to me are the vehicles, mainly because they seem more traditional and don't have huge useless parts. I'm also interested to see what Von Nebula, Rotor, and the so far picturless Bulk and Vapour combo set look like. Other than that, though, not really wetting my taste buds - and I'm 99.99% sure I won't get a single one of these sets.

Oh well, at least that leaves more money for themes I do like, such as City and Space Police (the latter which I've missed out totally on so far).

I suppose you're right. I am by no means an expert at Bionicle, I can only remember the Rahkshi and before. I remember seeing all of these shooting mechanisms, specialized weapons ans parts, and even light-up parts... I just think Bionicle lost it's charm after that.

You're probably thinking of Bionicle 2006, which had more gimmicks than practically any other year. After that, however, things started to calm down, and by 2007 the only gimmicks were a specialized launcher for each figure - something that could be taken off easily and didn't affect the rest of the set much. 2009 has had basically no gimmicks at all besides the thornax launcher included in every set, and that is about as small and unobtrusive as you can get. Instead, the focus was on tons of recolors and new pieces with elemenal flair - something that harkens right back to the very first year of Bionicle.

[prateek]

You're probably thinking of Bionicle 2006, which had more gimmicks than practically any other year. After that, however, things started to calm down, and by 2007 the only gimmicks were a specialized launcher for each figure - something that could be taken off easily and didn't affect the rest of the set much. 2009 has had basically no gimmicks at all besides the thornax launcher included in every set, and that is about as small and unobtrusive as you can get. Instead, the focus was on tons of recolors and new pieces with elemenal flair - something that harkens right back to the very first year of Bionicle.

The problem with sets after the Rahkshi, though, was that they lost their moving parts with gears and stuff.

[The Crazy One]

The problem with sets after the Rahkshi, though, was that they lost their moving parts with gears and stuff.

Hordika?

[Bfahome]

And I still think there's some sort of disk holder on the Canister sets. Like on Thunder's huge weapons, both of Meltdown's hands and both of Corroder's hands as well.

It's possible that they have holders for them, but I doubt they're launchers.

The problem with sets after the Rahkshi, though, was that they lost their moving parts with gears and stuff.

The canister sets didn't lose the action features until 2006, four waves later.

Also, the only Thornax launcher that looks black is Thunder's.

Edited January 10, 2010 by Bfahome

[Zarkan]

The problem with sets after the Rahkshi, though, was that they lost their moving parts with gears and stuff.

I never liked gears, and I still don't. For some sets, like the Bohrok and Rahi sets, they were okay, as they were perfectly incorporated with the creature's designs. Howver, I hated how they limited the poseability of sets like the Toa Mata and Toa Metru, and I also hated how the gears stuck out at the back. Sure, the function might be somewhat fun for kids, but I'm not a kid anymore, and I want to be able to display my sets in interesting positions. Gears prevent me from doing this, and thus my Toa Metru look far less lively than my modified Toa Phantoka and Mistika.

[_shaddow_]

Also, the only Thornax launcher that looks black is Thunder's.

Meltdown left hand has a black thornax launcher, and the one on xplode is indeed black.

[80 Dollar]

I just....don't like these sets.

I can't see any innovative features.

Even if the torso might be different they have almost all the same design.

They look like advanced agori/stars/av-matoran. The bad guys are better but still have the same boring build.

The new parts are cool though.

I might be the only one to think this but I prefer the Glatorian legends.

Seriously, I'm disappointed. I'm happy that they aren't called Bionicle.

The little guys have one big problem and that is the torso armor. It is too unique and it´s only one piece...you can´t really use it anywhere else. That is why they fail. Not a big fan of those skulls and toxic symbols on big guys either...

On the other hand. I am more than satisfied with bigger sets. I mean we get a bike, aircraft, bulky giant...I also recall a set containing 2 named things...no pictures of this set yet?

[_shaddow_]

On the other hand. I am more than satisfied with bigger sets. I mean we get a bike, aircraft, bulky giant...I also recall a set containing 2 named things...no pictures of this set yet?

No, there wasn't any pics of the 2-in-1 set (bulk and ?) in the retailer catalogue so i'm wondering if this one will be an exclusivity.

[sok117]

I think meltdown is the only set I would even begin to consider buying from this line, he just looks cool with his face/mask/head and the tentacles. not so much the toxic canisters on his back. Can't wait for better pictures.

[Bundalings]

It's possible that they have holders for them, but I doubt they're launchers.

The canister sets didn't lose the action features until 2006, four waves later.

Also, the only Thornax launcher that looks black is Thunder's.

They all look black to me.

Of course, I still can't tell what shades of red and yellow XPlode and Meltdown are... so it could just be the lighting. I hope not, though. And honestly, it would make sense for them to cut back on the silver in most sets, since that's now the color of Strength.

[Aanchir]

I'm not too enthralled by these sets, but that could be because I don't know the story behind them. They certainly seem a far cry from BIONICLE, despite the similar build and motifs. I'm almost hoping that the story isn't too compelling, or I won't be able to pass these sets up without regrets. But I figure I'll get by, especially since BIONICLE's story will continue so that slot of my interest won't be completely empty.

[The Dor]

Woah I just realized that Duncan Bulk has a prosthetic arm or something similar o.o Also he totally looks like a bad guy.

And in regards to the bendable limbs: I think there are just 3 different versions of the same limb, only with different angles. They are definitely not bendable.

[Phantoka Kopaka Nuva]

Woah I just realized that Duncan Bulk has a prosthetic arm or something similar o.o Also he totally looks like a bad guy.

And in regards to the bendable limbs: I think there are just 3 different versions of the same limb, only with different angles. They are definitely not bendable.

That would be too expensive for LEGO to make.

[80 Dollar]

Woah I just realized that Duncan Bulk has a prosthetic arm or something similar o.o Also he totally looks like a bad guy.

And in regards to the bendable limbs: I think there are just 3 different versions of the same limb, only with different angles. They are definitely not bendable.

I have to agree. I found no possible way to bend it after studying the piece (unless its made of rubber)...the guy on the bike probably has a different (even though pretty much the same looking) arm piece.

[The Crazy One]

I actually prefer the looks of this line to about 50% of Bionicle. I have been waiting for a proper modern line that actually fits ( unlike the Nuva Revamps ). I am saving for the entire line, maybe without the bike though.

In regards to the arm, I think it is highly unlikely now. Next wave we will probabley have good guys with bendable arms though.

[-Tilius-]

I've only just seen these clearer images. Not fussed by them, but 7170 would've been a good Toa Nuparu.

- Tilius

[Mesonak]

That would be too expensive for LEGO to make.

This. I don't think it would be in TLG's best interests to create a new Av-Matoran style limb that is almost exactly the same with no extra features, let alone make that limb in different angles. It would be much easier just to make said limb bendable, and I believe that's what Lego has done.

-Mesonak

[cheesey skrall]

And in regards to the bendable limbs: I think there are just 3 different versions of the same limb, only with different angles. They are definitely not bendable.

(im kinda new to this ) but it could be a new piece that connects the 2 arm parts together. you know the titan rods? they have a flat thing on the end. maybe its a short version of that...

[Zarkan]

I actually prefer the looks of this line to about 50% of Bionicle. I have been waiting for a proper modern line that actually fits ( unlike the Nuva Revamps ). I am saving for the entire line, maybe without the bike though.

In regards to the arm, I think it is highly unlikely now. Next wave we will probabley have good guys with bendable arms though.

Nah, I much prefered the look of 2009's bionicle line to these "faux-bionicle" sets. Hero Factory may have somewhat of an elemental flair to its sets, but Bara Magna's line was literally the elements personified.

[God Iron]

The limbs do look posable, I dunno why everyone is stressing?

It can easily be two pieces...

Wait a minute!

Flexible Building System

Oh Shi-

Nah, I much prefered the look of 2009's bionicle line to these "faux-bionicle" sets. Hero Factory may have somewhat of an elemental flair to its sets, but Bara Magna's line was literally the elements personified.

I have to disagree. The original Bionicle Toa, were Bio-Mechanic Beings based on the elements.

To me these look like Bio-Mechanic Beings based on the elements.

Also Will Inferno is the offical name in most countries and Rotor is a villain character.

Edited January 11, 2010 by God Iron

[cheesey skrall]

Oh god! Does corroder have the whole ben 10 armour pieces on him? I hope not! Bionicles replacment shouldn't include crappy ben 10 peices

[ShaddowCroc]

I think the Bara Magna sets were the best BIONICLE sets ever because they looked like their elements for once. And definitely a breath of fresh air considering the Mistika and Phantoka didn't even look remotely elemental.

[Aanchir]

I think the Bara Magna sets were the best BIONICLE sets ever because they looked like their elements for once. And definitely a breath of fresh air considering the Mistika and Phantoka didn't even look remotely elemental.

I don't know-- in my personal opinion, elemental looks weren't a critical part of the Toa look at any point. Besides the tools of fire Toa, the designs never were very obviously associated with any element. There was a feel to each design, but it didn't go very far beyond associating them with an environment, not an elemental power. Would Kopaka really feel icy if he were a dull brown instead of white, pictured in a canyon rather than on a mountaintop? Likewise, would you recognize Gali as a water character if she were turned bright red and placed against a volcanic backdrop? Set design, it seems, played only a small role in the familiarity of the characters' elements.

Furthermore, I liked the 2008 sets for their clear adherence to longtime BIONICLE conceits. For instance, it's been a trend in BIONICLE that villain sets are organic in design, while heroes have a more mechanistic feel. Compare the contours of many 2001 masks to those on designer cars, and you'll see that even the Toa Mata followed this rule. And the next villains, the Bohrok, were in fact mechanical in story, but directly contradicted this with design elements like gleaming white teeth, a bubbly overall shape, and rubbery "brains". The trend continued pretty consistently, with slight burps like the Vahki (which, beyond their posture, were very angular and mechanistic in design).

2008 exemplified this by giving the Makuta animallike appearances, despite a Toalike posture. The Toa, on the other hand, had very mechanical designs, using elements like wings and jets to (like in 2001) remain faithful to the story environment in a mechanistic, practical fashion.