Hero Factory 2012

[Dorek]

And that is your AFOL opinion. My son is all excited to see his long time known heroes getting new and new upgrades (he is making his own tweaks/mocs of course). Maybe this is the way they can get attached emotionally to the heroes. If they were shifting them twice a year, a 4 (or whatever the real age range is supposed to be) year old could get confused with names, powers etc.

(Following that line, I wouldn't be too surprised if they dug up old time heroes like Trasher (?))

Of course, smaller children are more into it than I am (six months is about their attention span =P) but doesn't it get a bit exasperating seeing the same character every six months?

I guess I still prefer the BIONICLE approach to waves of canisters featuring different characters; 2008 really rounded that out by having a batch of heroes and villains (not capitalized, so I'm not talking about HF =P). They're doing good with having a new wave every six months, but seeing the same character in his fourth (fifth if you count the bike) incarnation is a bit wearisome.

On a similar note, is anyone else annoyed by the lack of civilian sets? All we get are criminals and heroes, what about the citizens? How can a kid have the hero rescue a hostage, if there are no hostages? I know kids can make their own civilians, but all the civilians in the show have very different bodies than heroes- how could they make a citizen that is show accurate?

By buying a BIONICLE set ;D

Well, keep in mind that if a brand-new team is added, the theme could end up with BIONICLE-itis, where you have to be familiar with characters who haven't been on store shelves for a year or more in order to follow the story. And I think that's part of what Hero Factory is aiming to avoid by keeping the cast of characters in one largely close-knit group.

Of course, we don't want that, but considering the snappish pace of the series, I think it could afford to introduce new characters; if we had a brand new team summer 2012, then it could easily go back to Alpha 1 in 2013; one of the many reasons I love Recon Team is because it's a new set of Heroes (only a few officially, but still). And yet, they don't interact with any of the main characters, which is something I'd like to see.

While Hero Factory doesn't have many ongoing mysteries or conflicts lasting more than one wave, what it does have is ongoing character development. Perhaps Furno could afford to be left out of the sets for a wave, like so many Heroes have been. But for a full year, or more? Then you run the risk of the character being forgotten and having to be "re-introduced" in story when he's re-introduced in sets.

A year is somewhat overkill, but for a wave or so, it's doable.

I'm not saying it couldn't be done, or that TLG won't do that. In fact, it seems to me like they might be heading in that direction, since this latest batch of Heroes have left all qualifiers behind save for their surnames. William Furno isn't "Furno 4.0" this time; he's just "Furno". So unless new qualifiers get added next wave (Furno Nuva lol) then there's not likely to be another Furno set.

I love that they didn't call them 4.0; that would have been a real turn-off for me.

[vexorian]

The villains get changed every 6 months. And as for the heroes, they vary a little. Hasbro gets away with using the same ONE character over and over for 10 years now. So, I don't think 6 years old have much trouble with it.

[Vinyl Scratch]

Should the Alpha 1 line sets ever be stopped and the next line being a fresh hero team like a "reboot", I hope that LEGO doesn't do what they have done in 2009, with the whole thing being a reboot with only one returning character and bam, we had the Matoran Universe back in 2010.

[Aethersprite]

Should the Alpha 1 line sets ever be stopped and the next line being a fresh hero team like a "reboot", I hope that LEGO doesn't do what they have done in 2009, with the whole thing being a reboot with only one returning character and bam, we had the Matoran Universe back in 2010.

I doubt there'll be such a drastic reboot. In my opinion the move to Bara Magna was an attempt to "reboot" the franchise, but I guess things didn't work out and they started on HF.

On a side note, when do official pictures usually surface? I know it's greedy that we got prelims and I'm asking for official pics already, but just wondering.

[Tanma]

Of course, smaller children are more into it than I am (six months is about their attention span =P) but doesn't it get a bit exasperating seeing the same character every six months?

I guess I still prefer the BIONICLE approach to waves of canisters featuring different characters; 2008 really rounded that out by having a batch of heroes and villains (not capitalized, so I'm not talking about HF =P). They're doing good with having a new wave every six months, but seeing the same character in his fourth (fifth if you count the bike) incarnation is a bit wearisome.

By buying a BIONICLE set ;D

Of course, we don't want that, but considering the snappish pace of the series, I think it could afford to introduce new characters; if we had a brand new team summer 2012, then it could easily go back to Alpha 1 in 2013; one of the many reasons I love Recon Team is because it's a new set of Heroes (only a few officially, but still). And yet, they don't interact with any of the main characters, which is something I'd like to see.

A year is somewhat overkill, but for a wave or so, it's doable.

I love that they didn't call them 4.0; that would have been a real turn-off for me.

No, you will reveal my pro-Bionicle agenda!

...well Bionicle did have 21 civilians from 2001 to 2003(not count'ting the Bohrok Va), and with Kanohi masks you could create a infinite number of villagers. Then there was seven the next year if you count Dume, all with the same mix and match mask feature. The next year we had no one(Unless Turaga Lihkan was released that year, but I can't remember if it was 2005 or 2006), since the Ragah(Rahagah? Rakagah?) were really Toa. Though that ruling is questionable. In 2006 we had six Matoran, though with no basic body type so customization was impractical. In 2007 however we got four villagers(one with a blue great mask of night vision!) and two pets, each with the same basic body. So with different colored pieces and masks, you could still create a great deal of villagers. While 2008 had eight Matoran, each compatible with Metru style masks, it also opened a can of worms with the revelation of Av-Matoran cloaks. So technically any Matoran in your collection could be an Av-Matoran in disguise, thus further undermining the nice color coded system. In 2009 we had ten Agori, with designs for two others. So that is 59 civilians over nine years(much more if you count the easily customizable Mata-Nui Matoran).

[Phantoka Kopaka Nuva]

Should the Alpha 1 line sets ever be stopped and the next line being a fresh hero team like a "reboot", I hope that LEGO doesn't do what they have done in 2009, with the whole thing being a reboot with only one returning character and bam, we had the Matoran Universe back in 2010.

The only reason we had the MU back in 2010 was because BIONICLE was gonna be canceled. If it hadn't been canceled, we would be on Bota Magna right now. With mechanical dinos. :D

[Tanma]

The only reason we had the MU back in 2010 was because BIONICLE was gonna be canceled. If it hadn't been canceled, we would be on Bota Magna right now. With mechanical dinos. :D

I wonder if there is a parallel universe in real life, where Bionicle didn't end in 2010. We would have just gotten the sixth Bionicle movie now, Mata-Nui and Makuta might have just had an epic showdown in movie form, and Baterra would have been a 2010 set. Tarduk might not have had any role in 2010, but still might have linked up his quest with Mata-Nui's in Bota-Magna. The heroes of the Matoran Universe would have to resist much longer, and by its end even the most cheerful Toa would be war hardened and bitter. Anything could have happened, but I would got was a story intitled Journey's End and some serials that need updating.

[Vinyl Scratch]

I wonder if there is a parallel universe in real life, where Bionicle didn't end in 2010. We would have just gotten the sixth Bionicle movie now, Mata-Nui and Makuta might have just had an epic showdown in movie form, and Baterra would have been a 2010 set. Tarduk might not have had any role in 2010, but still might have linked up his quest with Mata-Nui's in Bota-Magna. The heroes of the Matoran Universe would have to resist much longer, and by its end even the most cheerful Toa would be war hardened and bitter. Anything could have happened, but I would got was a story intitled Journey's End and some serials that need updating.

Tanma you have one hell of a mind.

[Evex-Wolfwing]

Heh, well color me surprised. I just found out about these this morning. Didn't think we would have pics already.

Well, opinions, opinions, opinions...

Breez: First of all, THAT SWORD! I love those new katana/blade elements. And I've thought of launchers like that before, and am very glad to see that Lego finally thought of it also. Also love that shield. At the same time, I feel her head looks rather small compared to her body.

Furno: Turbines! :D I'm not to sure about that shield arm, though. And yeah... this is what, our fifth Furno?

Rocka: That helmet... It feels familiar. I also love his crossbow arm. Trans green? Yes please.

Surge: Stupid glare in the photo... But I like that Electrical Shield... Bolt Launcher... Thing... y...

Evo: Lack of an actual weapon is disappointing, but I have plenty of stuff lying about. The launcher arm is great.

Overall: I like where they are going with the Heroes. The handcuffs are nifty and the launchers are excellent.

Black Phantom: ... Honestly? Why? This is rather... Horribly built. The spider gun is cute, and the weapon is interesting... But otherwise, this guy is just parts to me.

Thornraxx: The name is unwieldily. The set itself is excellent. Teal, light-blue, either way it is color we haven't had yet in the new building style. And Gorast's Wings, yay! One question: How should you handcuff this if it has a stinger as well as arms?

Splitface: I must admit, that does look an awful lot like Thunder's head. But I like how they did this. Only thing I don't like is how difficult his head will be for using in MOCs.

Toxic Reapa: I LOVE THAT HEAD! This has to be my favorite Villain. His style, the transparent cladding.

Jawblade: Shark! Shark! Shark! Hah, this guy is great. I love his head. And I guess he has arms so he can be handcuffed.

Overall: Other than Black Phantom, these are great. No other way to say it.

Now, as for the new bags they come it, it remains to be seen. But I think it will work.

[Toa Mark Surge]

I think, now that we are at 4.0, they should lay off Furno and that team, maybe have all new Heroes. We need some new faces. Also, the 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 thing is getting a bit old too, they should introduce something new there too,

[Phantoka Kopaka Nuva]

I think, now that we are at 4.0, they should lay off Furno and that team, maybe have all new Heroes. We need some new faces. Also, the 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 thing is getting a bit old too, they should introduce something new there too,

Well, they stopped including the numbers in. So yeah, that's something.

[Darth Nihilus]

I think, now that we are at 4.0, they should lay off Furno and that team, maybe have all new Heroes. We need some new faces. Also, the 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 thing is getting a bit old too, they should introduce something new there too,

My theory is that they will finish with this team, then make another team of 9 and take them through a parallel storyline. (eg. This team fights more of Von Nebula's goons, etc., etc.) Then, after this second team gets to Breakout, they switch back to Furno and the gang for 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and then something like Breakout. Thus, the cycle begins again.

(Was that a little hard to understand? If so, I will gladly explain it in greater detail. )

[Toa Mark Surge]

My theory is that they will finish with this team, then make another team of 9 and take them through a parallel storyline. (eg. This team fights more of Von Nebula's goons, etc., etc.) Then, after this second team gets to Breakout, they switch back to Furno and the gang for 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and then something like Breakout. Thus, the cycle begins again.

(Was that a little hard to understand? If so, I will gladly explain it in greater detail. )

Not a bad thought. Not bad at all, but let the villains win for a bit. That's what was good about BIONICLE in her last days, Makuta got control of Mata Nui's body, so something like that would be great.

[Dorek]

Don't think that's what he was saying, but I doubt the villains will ever actually be victorious; it works with BIONICLE because you have a longer story time and more potential for the good guys to make a comeback, but with the target age for Hero Factory being young kids, it doesn't really do any good to advertise the villains winning. The breakout theme is probably the closest we're going to get to that, and it's something I'm looking forward to.

[Toa Mark Surge]

Don't think that's what he was saying, but I doubt the villains will ever actually be victorious; it works with BIONICLE because you have a longer story time and more potential for the good guys to make a comeback, but with the target age for Hero Factory being young kids, it doesn't really do any good to advertise the villains winning. The breakout theme is probably the closest we're going to get to that, and it's something I'm looking forward to.

Agreed, the story isn't as strong as BIONICLE, no where near. The sets are cool though :) I guess evil prevailing would put some kids off.

[Tanma]

Not a bad thought. Not bad at all, but let the villains win for a bit. That's what was good about BIONICLE in her last days, Makuta got control of Mata Nui's body, so something like that would be great.

Technically evil won in 2004 as well, the heroes just thought they had been victorious.

[Toa Mark Surge]

Technically evil won in 2004 as well, the heroes just thought they had been victorious.

With the Toa Metru, how did evil win there. I guess it did contribute to Makuta's overall plan.

[Tanma]

With the Toa Metru, how did evil win there. I guess it did contribute to Makuta's overall plan.

Metro-Nui was abandoned and Mata-Nui fell into a deep sleep. Not to mention the force of Mata-Nui's crash ripped his chest open and sent Voya-Nui rocketing to the surface. Their god fell into unconsciousness, I would say that is bad.

[Toa Mark Surge]

Metro-Nui was abandoned and Mata-Nui fell into a deep sleep. Not to mention the force of Mata-Nui's crash ripped his chest open and sent Voya-Nui rocketing to the surface. Their god fell into unconsciousness, I would say that is bad.

Ah yes, good point :) Haven't seen the movie in a while now. What do you think they could do to make the Heroes better?

[Tanma]

Ah yes, good point :) Haven't seen the movie in a while now. What do you think they could do to make the Heroes better?

I for one would like to see recurring villians, all foes encuntered thus far seem like one shots. It wouldn't be hard to bring back Von Nebula for instance. First rule of superheroes is that if you never found the body; they aren't dead. I also would like to see th heroes loose some, not necessarily in major ways, just not be completely victorious. Lik the villian's plan is defeated, but they got away and a hero is permanately shut down in the battle. Civilians also would be nice, otherwise there is no one for the heroes to protect.

[Toa Mark Surge]

I for one would like to see recurring villians, all foes encuntered thus far seem like one shots. It wouldn't be hard to bring back Von Nebula for instance. First rule of superheroes is that if you never found the body; they aren't dead. I also would like to see th heroes loose some, not necessarily in major ways, just not be completely victorious. Lik the villian's plan is defeated, but they got away and a hero is permanately shut down in the battle. Civilians also would be nice, otherwise there is no one for the heroes to protect.

I like that idea. They really did leave Von Nebula open with his Black-Hole Orb Staff zapping the fly. I reckon he will come back, and I think he should get away, not necissarily the whole team, but some of them anyway.

[Dorek]

One of the reasons I think Black Phantom is Von Nebula in one form or another; all of these villains have great return potential, and seeing as how we don't see them at all after the fact, this Breakout theme is exactly what they need to come back.

[The Crazy One]

Furno needs to be killed off, as does someone like Stringer and Nex. Then we'd have a nice little emotional story for a bit, and two new heros. Stormer and Bulk can then retire, leaving Rocka and Breeze as the pros, with Evo, and a new Rookie team. Bring Von Nebula back in the final year and Stormer can return from retirement to fight him. Done. :)

No seriously though, one hero needs to die soon, I'm getting emotionally numbed by Hero Factory.

[Tanma]

One of the reasons I think Black Phantom is Von Nebula in one form or another; all of these villains have great return potential, and seeing as how we don't see them at all after the fact, this Breakout theme is exactly what they need to come back.

Agreed, but Von Nebula especially since they assume he is destroyed. The others are captured and held in containment, and the factory no doubt is watching them carefully.

[Kalhiki]

Y'know, if Black Phantom truly is a past villain coming back, VN is the best choice. We just had Doc, and Fire Lord (according to the TV show) is in rehab. So, bets should be on Von Nebula being Phantom (if Phantom is a past villain, that it). But if he were Nebula, I would have liked some similarities between the two.

Here's an idea, what if the Breakout storyline goes on for a few waves? That way, we can have a mix of old and new villains. As for Heroes, seperate teams can be made with some of the older characters and include a few new ones.

Kalhiki

Edited October 2, 2011 by Kalhiki