Pharaoh's Quest 2011

[prateek]

Why. I'm getting more and more fed up by TLC. Why is there a severe crackdown team lurking around the interwebs this year? How is this year different from any others. Maybe it's just employment for all the unemployed European people (no racism intended).

[Sajer]

Guys, if you haven't been reading all the 2011 threads, go to the NinjaGo thread page 17, quick, I dunno how long more that can last.

[JimBee]

This looks like a great throwback to Adventurers. I don't think we've had a real Egyptian theme other than a few sets in Johnny Thunder. For one thing, I love how the vehicles are styled, especially the tank. They look like a sort of mix between modern and early-mid 1900s. Also, this theme looks like more focus was put on it (than other action themes) because of the quality of the sets (and they're preliminary).

What I like most about this theme, though, is the new wing pieces. I'll look forward to creating the character Pit from the Kid Icarus/ Super Smash Bros. video games in minifig form.

[SpiderSpaceman]

*oh2* *oh2*

Anybody see the new dog and crowbar in the city sets??

sorry to be off topic. Those would supplement the adventurers just fine though.

[Jargo]

Not sure I agree, the crowbar shown in the preliminary pics is red. I'd only use it with adventurers if it was grey or black. I have a couple of black Brickforge crowbars that'll do the job of cracking open a sarcophagus.

The new dog will definitely work better in a desert setting. The new pointy muzzle defitely looks more jackal like. Hope Lego do it in black and grey too. Some undead Jackals would be cool. Or have I watched the Resident evil movies too much....?

[The Green Brick Giant]

Not sure I agree, the crowbar shown in the preliminary pics is red.

It will change color. LEGO makes test of new pieces in red, or used to before 3D printers. That's probably all it is.

[Flare]

I hope this isn't anything like Ninjago... we don't need more play themes with sad builds.

[not-in-use-anymore]

...we don't need more play themes with sad builds.

Exactly what I think . I think Lego should leave the collectable stuff and games in themes like Ninjago and Games, and fill in the other themes with more detail(more like the modular sets) . Trying to build a house with 1x2x5 bricks is annoying.

Edited October 1, 2010 by indianajones

[Aanchir]

Exactly what I think . I think Lego should leave the collectable stuff and games in themes like Ninjago and Games, and fill in the other themes with more detail(more like the modular sets) . Trying to build a house with 1x2x5 bricks is annoying.

Trying to afford a set made entirely out of smaller bricks is also hard. Kids aren't necessarily going to buy a set because it has a complex build or a lot of useful pieces. Collectible factors are one of the few ways to get some kids to even care what pieces each set comes with, and using pieces strategically (for instance, using 1x2x5 bricks instead of stacks of five 1x2 bricks) is one of the few ways an appealing set with interesting action features can be made affordable.

The modular buildings are targeted at a much smaller demographic than action themes, hence why you don't find them in generic retail stores. They're targeted at an audience which is already interested in LEGO and is more likely to buy from LEGO stores or LEGOshop.com, not to mention more likely to appreciate advanced building techniques and useful detail bricks.

No matter what, mainstream LEGO sets are not going to get to modular-building quality, because they have to appeal to people who may have never owned a LEGO set-- people who may not have the foggiest idea what makes for a quality design beyond the shallower aspects like attractive aesthetic and fun-looking play features. Trust me, people can and do "graduate" beyond action themes, but there's nothing wrong with LEGO keeping more play-focused sets around to draw in new fans. And LEGO Games haven't been around long enough for LEGO to get a good idea whether they can draw in new LEGO fans as effectively as action themes.

I personally like Ninjago for what it is, but your reasons for disliking it are valid. A historically-based ninja theme with advanced builds (basically an updated version of the 1998 Ninja theme) would be awesome, and I might actually appreciate that more than Ninjago. But, LEGO can't afford to limit their audience to the people who already know and love LEGO products, and who understand them on a deeper level. New fans have to come from somewhere, and exciting, play-based action themes are one of the most effective ways of drawing them in.

[not-in-use-anymore]

Kids aren't necessarily going to buy a set because it has a complex build or a lot of useful pieces.

I understand that, but there should be a theme in between Atlantis(very targeted at kids)(random example) and Architecture(very targeted at AFOLs).

[Jack Bricker]

I don't want to minimod but, this topic has nothing to do with NinjaGo or the old ninja sets. It has to do with ancient egypt. I was curious by some of your postings whether or not you had even seen the new egyptian sets.

Back on topcic. I was wondering if Lego might even make a larger egyptian set. It looks to me as if this theme could continue on for a while and since the most expensive is only $70 would it be possible that Lego might be planning to release more sets in the summber of 2011 like they did with atlantis?

[The Green Brick Giant]

Back on topcic. I was wondering if Lego might even make a larger egyptian set. It looks to me as if this theme could continue on for a while and since the most expensive is only $70 would it be possible that Lego might be planning to release more sets in the summber of 2011 like they did with atlantis?

Isn't the pyramid $100?

I'm I have a feeling we might get a few more sets in the summer, new themes usually have two waves a year.

[Mrlegoninja]

Isn't the pyramid $100?

I'm I have a feeling we might get a few more sets in the summer, new themes usually have two waves a year.

Not really. Themes like Prince of Persia and World Racers didn't have a second wave.

[Jack Bricker]

Not really. Themes like Prince of Persia and World Racers didn't have a second wave.

Well neither World Racers or Prince of Persia were very successful as far as I can remember. Also, neither World Racers nor Prince of Persia were not generic, legit action themes. World Racers was more of an action sports kind of theme rather than an action theme. Prince of Persia also wasn't an action theme but, was a movie licensed theme that wasn't very successful past 2 months, at least as far as I could see in my local area anyway.

And lets not forget that Atlantis is going to have a third wave next year and this Pharaoh's Quest is kind of an egyptian vesion of that so I think that we could get some more sets next summer.

[Mrlegoninja]

Well neither World Racers or Prince of Persia were very successful as far as I can remember. Also, neither World Racers nor Prince of Persia were not generic, legit action themes. World Racers was more of an action sports kind of theme rather than an action theme. Prince of Persia also wasn't an action theme but, was a movie licensed theme that wasn't very successful past 2 months, at least as far as I could see in my local area anyway.

And lets not forget that Atlantis is going to have a third wave next year and this Pharaoh's Quest is kind of an egyptian vesion of that so I think that we could get some more sets next summer.

Well thats true. The sales of Prince of Persia were influenced by the movie, which bombed. And World racers was never a succseful theme.

[Aanchir]

I understand that, but there should be a theme in between Atlantis(very targeted at kids)(random example) and Architecture(very targeted at AFOLs).

That would be cool, if LEGO could be convinced that it would sell well. The way I see it, that would make a pretty cool theme, but obviously I have no way of knowing if there's an untapped "niche market" for that sort of thing. This is one of the reasons I try to avoid saying LEGO should or shouldn't do something-- they're the ones who have done the market research on this type of thing, while I'm a fan with no access to that sort of information. I think that's part of why when LEGO wants suggestions from the AFOL community they'll do them in the form of a survey-- that way they can get a broader idea of AFOL interests than by just opening the lines to random suggestions.

In my opinion, action themes like Atlantis and Pharaoh's Quest are probably the closest thing we can expect to see to that sort of "intermediate complexity". After all, Atlantis has complex builds. The places it uses large, specialized pieces are often examples of using them in unconventional ways (for instance, the use of the cement mixer pieces on the Neptune Carrier). And while there aren't many buildings with the same level of completeness as, say, the modular homes, the "landscapes" are still aesthetically pleasing, with appealing symmetry and well-arranged color schemes. And yet, with all this detail, the theme still manages to bring in the flick fires and action features that kids love!

Pharaoh's Quest seems to be taking that even further by dropping flick-fires altogether, cleverly concealing the action features, and presenting itself as thrilling to younger kids while still being building-intensive to older fans. The pyramid in particular is stunning-- while a lot of fans hoped for a pyramid in the first Adventurers line, I myself thought it would be impossible to make it interesting when it had to be such a bland shape. That, of course, was long before the appearance of colors like dark tan, medium nougat, and warm gold opened up the possibility of more exciting color schemes. The use of a BURP is also a great way to make the set more exciting while maintaining an appropriate aesthetic.

Overall, I think that LEGO has in recent years made definite steps towards making their sets appealing to AFOLs, even while making them accessible to newer and younger fans. Having just picked up the Lunar Limo yesterday, I'm wowed by how aesthetically pleasing LEGO can make even the most ludicrous concepts, and how keen they are in adding throwbacks to older themes in newer themes, whether blatant like the "easter eggs" in older Space Police sets or subtle like the stylistic considerations in the 2010 sets. Overall, I'm glad to see that I probably won't encounter a "dark age" like so many LEGO fans did during the 90's, and that LEGO's appeal for me will stay strong even now that I've reached adulthood.

[VenVoi]

Wow, this line looks impressive! It takes me back to the old Adventurers line while still being fresh and new.

My only complaint is that so far, the mummies look way too similar to the one I got from the old Studios line, but there's enough diversity here for that to be considered a minor flaw.

-VenVoi

[Decale]

Well what is sure is that I won't be buying any new or used lego sets or parts until this theme comes on my TRU shelves.

This is just awesome.

I finally have the feeling that voting "bring back the adventurers line!" on a poll wasn't totally useless!

I'm also glad to to see that I'm not the only one to be completely excited by Pharaoh's quest

[Aanchir]

Wow, this line looks impressive! It takes me back to the old Adventurers line while still being fresh and new.

My only complaint is that so far, the mummies look way too similar to the one I got from the old Studios line, but there's enough diversity here for that to be considered a minor flaw.

-VenVoi

I believe some fo the mummies are the ones from the Studios theme-- remember that all of these images are preliminary and subject to change.

My complaint would be that the brilliant mummies in this theme will be released alongside the equally brilliant mummy from the Series 3 collectible minifigs, which sports a totally different aesthetic. But it's not really a problem with either theme as much as an inconvenience in terms of design.

[The Crazy One]

My complaint would be that the brilliant mummies in this theme will be released alongside the equally brilliant mummy from the Series 3 collectible minifigs, which sports a totally different aesthetic. But it's not really a problem with either theme as much as an inconvenience in terms of design.

Yeah, it's a shame that. Oh well, just use them for mocs as I will probably do. I don't think they would be a massive eye sore anyway.

[Sirens-of-Titan]

I think the collectible minifigures 3 mummy is meant to be a classic monster that's been exaggerated to look like the classic movie version (much like the witch,the vampire and the zombie were) It looks very different because it isn't supposed to fit the other themes, and it certainly wouldn't belong in the Adventures line.

Using it alongside the Pharaoh's quest mummies, would be like putting the series 2 witch in a Kingdoms set; plausible but awkward.

I also think the collectible series are not meant to be serious; they all have a bit more cartoony exaggerated expressions and body prints, which are great on their own, but not great for mixing them in with other themes (with the notable exception of all city themed figures, as well as the western/sports/space) The historic figures and the monsters are a bit funnier than they would be in a theme.

Having said all of that I love them all and can't wait for series 3 and 4!

Edited October 3, 2010 by Sirens-Of-Titan

[Aanchir]

I think the collectible minifigures 3 mummy is meant to be a classic monster that's been exaggerated to look like the classic movie version (much like the witch,the vampire and the zombie were) It looks very different because it isn't supposed to fit the other themes, and it certainly wouldn't belong in the Adventures line.

Using it alongside the Pharaoh's quest mummies, would be like putting the series 2 witch in a Kingdoms set; plausible but awkward.

I also think the collectible series are not meant to be serious; they all have a bit more cartoony exaggerated expressions and body prints, which are great on their own, but not great for mixing them in with other themes (with the notable exception of all city themed figures, as well as the western/sports/space) The historic figures and the monsters are a bit funnier than they would be in a theme.

Having said all of that I love them all and can't wait for series 3 and 4!

I understand the intent of the collectible mummy; it just strikes me as odd to have two vastly different "styles" released at the same time.

And yes, the collectible figs have cartoony styles, but in that sense so do all minifigures. The difference between collectible figs and themed figs is that themed figs focus more on fleshed-out characters with specific involvement in each theme's "story", while the collectible figs are only concerned with showing archetypes. They're free-floaters that could probably be thrown into any theme except in cases like Pharaoh's Quest where the status quo demands a more specific style.

Another example of this in action would be if you wanted to use the nurse with City sets. All well and good unless the city set in question has a red cross emblem instead of the blue star emblem featured on the nurse's uniform. Then, suddenly, the nurse is not the right type of nurse for that set-- even though she's no more cartoony than the other figs in the set! It's a smaller stylistic decision than with the mummies (who use vastly different aesthetics), but it still leaves you trying to put a puzzle piece into a wrongly-shaped hole, so to speak.

[The Green Brick Giant]

Not really. Themes like Prince of Persia and World Racers didn't have a second wave.

One is based on a movie, that doesn't count.

Also World Racers is a summer theme. With Power Miners and Atlantis they had two waves the first year, January and the summer. I think PQ is the new Power Miners and Atlantis theme for the year, so that we will get two waves in the year. Just a guess.

World Racers doesn't seem popular, but if it were there wouldn't be enough time to make a second wave of sets this year, so we would get another year of sets, not another wave.

[dragonboy79]

The flying mummies remind me of the cartoon series Mummies Alive. Anyone ever heard of it?

[Masked Builder]

The flying mummies remind me of the cartoon series Mummies Alive. Anyone ever heard of it?

That's kind of creepy...