Photo Review: 4499577 Viking Chess Set

[Starwars4J]

Well, I know it's been awhile since my last review, but now my Uncle is home and easier to care for, so here we go.

Set #4499577

Piece count: 179

Ages: 6+

Price: $49.99US

So I get the set yesterday and I have to say, I thought I'd be a lot happier than I was. Not that this is a bad set, not at all. Apologies in advance for the rather poor lighting. I'm home for the next week, so I don't have my normal setup. I had to take the pictures in my mother's office (she's a pediatrician) where there was the best available lighting.

First off, the box

It's actually really nice. It gives a very realistic impression of wood (albeit blue wood, but let's not get too picky ;-) ). The quality isn't QUITE as good as that on the Knight's Kingdom Chess set, but it's still pretty good. They kept the two leather buttons on the side to keep it closed, and it has the exact same layout inside as the Knight's Kingdom chess set, right down to the velcro-attached chess board.

Here are all of the pieces layed out in their fit-plastic holders:

They all fit well, and securely. All figures have the weapons held in the hands faced right-side-up, except for the Bishop and the King, who both have the hand upside-down in order to get the pose correct.

Since the blue side was so highly anticipated, let's start with the blue Pawn:

Simple but very effective. Face works nicely (that face just deserves an axe), and the colors go really well with the fig.

Next up is the blue Rook:

Nice design, it definitely is better built than that of the Knight's Kingdom. Unfortunately, the whole thing is glued :'-( The only part that isn't are the bley lightsaber hilt torches.

The blue Knight:

Exact same as the Knight's Kingdom version. Simple but effective. The blue 2x2 plate is also glued :-X

The blue Bishop:

Duel-wielding power-ranger swords works pretty well here. As mentioned above, the hands are reversed to achieve the pose.

The blue Queen:

Simple face. Nice dark blue cape ( *wub* ). Wielding a two-sided long-axe. You don't want to mess with her ;-) Sadly...her torso is glued to her "skirt"

The blue King:

Typical viking chief face with a typical viking chief weapon and typical viking chief golden helmit. What's not typical on him, you may ask? Another blue cape *wub* His sword-hand is reversed for the pose as well.

Now we're on to the reds!

First, the red Pawn:

Very different from the blue side, these pawns are very organized, very regal. It's probably the red ;-)

Next, the red Rook:

Really, REALLY well built. I love the designs, I just wish they weren't glued :-| Even the white horns are glued...everything except the shield.

P.S. the top is hollow

The red Knight:

Same as the blue one.

The red Bishop:

Same as the blue one, but again, he looks much more regal.

The red Queen:

Same as the blue Queen, with a black rod instead of the reddish-brown one and sans the cape :'-( Same glued torso and everything >:-(

And finally, the red King:

Same as the blue King, but it works much better (even though the red cape isn't as elegant as the blue one...)

The whole board set up:

From another angle:

Bah, it seems the peace negotiations failed... 8-|

I have to say, I LOVE these shield designs:

Red

Blue

But especially the red.

Now to rate. How exactly CAN you rate this? This isn't a regular set, but let's try anyway ;-)

Minifigs: 10/10

Pieces: 5/10 (10/10 for accessories, 0/10 for parts due to the glue)

Playability: 10/10

Total: 8.3~

Great parts pack. Fully stocked minifigs in uniform colors and outfits in great numbers for a decent price (about $2US/fig). I'd say this really is a must-have for any fan of historic sets (not just viking) as the weapons, faces, and torsos can be used in many ancient army themes.

[Lord Thrawn]

Looks pretty good, but I have to ask. Are both of the shields glued to the towers? Because you said one was and one wasn't... is this correct?

[Kahgarak]

Looks like a great fig-pack,but i'm dissapointed with the fact that most stuff is glued.

*n*

But the non-glued figs are wonderful!

*y*

[Shakar]

GLUED. *sing* :-X >:-( :'-(

Why in the world did they ruin that awesome set by gluing some parts I ask? Luckily, the glued parts are quite easy to find on Bricklink so I'll just buy them and replace them.

His sword-hand is reversed for the pose as well.

What do you mean? Are the swords glued, or what?

Thanks anyway. You warned me about this -stupid- thing Lego did.

Shakar

[Berry Syedow]

I’ve never had the dissatisfaction of dealing with a glued LEGO part. Is it possible to disassemble the rook without damaging the LEGO pieces? (Ditto for the queens' toros.)?

Very nice review, Starwars4J! The rooks don't necessarily concern me because they are bley, but useful bley is better than glued bley; the queens' torsos do concern me, though. I am very fond of the bishops' face and am pleased that four of them are included in this chess set. Besides the zwords, I am dismayed by the inclusion of pearl spears. I'd much rather TLC produce them in reddish brown. (Is there a secret policy forbidding TLC from producing old weapon molds in new bley/brown *wacko*? It's crazy I tell ya...) Once again, thank you for the review; now I'll know what to watch out for when I purchase a set.

[sam89]

It seems to me like most of the best parts (like the lightsaber hilts, the grey droid arm and the blue horse head) cover aren't glued.

[Jipay]

Beside the queen, are the other MF glued like keyrings ?

[Starwars4J]

Looks pretty good, but I have to ask. Are both of the shields glued to the towers? Because you said one was and one wasn't... is this correct?

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. All shields can be removed.

GLUED. *sing* :-X >:-( :'-(

Why in the world did they ruin that awesome set by gluing some parts I ask? Luckily, the glued parts are quite easy to find on Bricklink so I'll just buy them and replace them.

His sword-hand is reversed for the pose as well.

What do you mean? Are the swords glued, or what?

Thanks anyway. You warned me about this -stupid- thing Lego did.

Shakar

Nope, the hands aren't glued, I was just noting the way the weapons were placed in the hands of the minifigs

It seems to me like most of the best parts (like the lightsaber hilts, the grey droid arm and the blue horse head) cover aren't glued.

Yup, though it is annoying

Beside the queen, are the other MF glued like keyrings ?

No, besides the queen, all minifigs are completely normal.

Edit: Sorry Berry, I missed your question! I believe if you find a glue solvent and soak the piece in that you should be able to get the pieces undamaged. It's possible, just inconvenient ;-)

[stuifzand]

No, besides the queen, all minifigs are completely normal.

Another question :-)

Is the torso of the queen different from the other figs in the set? I don't see a difference at the pictures, but maybe I'm wrong.

I was hoping for a lady viking, but it seems there aren't any in the set *sad*

[Shakar]

The red queen has the same torso as the Viking leader from last year (so do all the red side minifigs) , while the blue queen has the same torso as the warrior from the Fenris set.

Do I see some dirt both on her skirt and torso? Is this glue, Starwars4J?

By the way, does anyone know some substance to remove glue?

Shakar

[MattZitron]

Sorry if this has been answered.

The figs aren't glued, BUT the queen's torso is to her "skirt"; but can she be taken apart otherwise?

As in, can her head, hair, arms and cape be taken off?

I ask because if I'm gonna get this I'd do the solvent thing; but not want to ruin the capes.

Thanks, and great review.

Matt

P.S: Is the KK Chess set the same? As in glued pieces?

[Dr Lucky]

Sorry if this has been answered.

The figs aren't glued, BUT the queen's torso is to her "skirt"; but can she be taken apart otherwise?

As in, can her head, hair, arms and cape be taken off?

I ask because if I'm gonna get this I'd do the solvent thing; but not want to ruin the capes.

Thanks, and great review.

Matt

P.S: Is the KK Chess set the same? As in glued pieces?

Nothing but the board was glued in the KK set. Apparently, there were even a fair number where they forgot the glue on that.

[Starwars4J]

No, besides the queen, all minifigs are completely normal.

Another question :-)

Is the torso of the queen different from the other figs in the set? I don't see a difference at the pictures, but maybe I'm wrong.

I was hoping for a lady viking, but it seems there aren't any in the set *sad*

I'm afraid not :-/

The red queen has the same torso as the Viking leader from last year (so do all the red side minifigs) , while the blue queen has the same torso as the warrior from the Fenris set.

Do I see some dirt both on her skirt and torso? Is this glue, Starwars4J?

By the way, does anyone know some substance to remove glue?

Shakar

Dirt? There is a little glue peeking out from the seam

Sorry if this has been answered.

The figs aren't glued, BUT the queen's torso is to her "skirt"; but can she be taken apart otherwise?

As in, can her head, hair, arms and cape be taken off?

I ask because if I'm gonna get this I'd do the solvent thing; but not want to ruin the capes.

Thanks, and great review.

Matt

P.S: Is the KK Chess set the same? As in glued pieces?

As answered, the KK chess set is not glued (there may have been some complaints or a lawsuit? I see no other reason to change it now...)

As for the rest of the Queen, she's totally normal aside from the torso/skirt glue. Head, hair, cape, arms, and hands can be removed.

[Shakar]

The red queen has the same torso as the Viking leader from last year (so do all the red side minifigs) , while the blue queen has the same torso as the warrior from the Fenris set.

Do I see some dirt both on her skirt and torso? Is this glue, Starwars4J?

By the way, does anyone know some substance to remove glue?

Shakar

Dirt? There is a little glue peeking out from the seam

Here's what I'm talking about:

Yes, sometimes I'm rather perfectionist. ;-)

Shakar

[Starwars4J]

Ah, I see now. I just ran back inside to check the MF, and lo and behold it was still there. After running it under some water, it still wouldn't come off, whatever it is, and seeing as how she hasn't left the box since I got it (aside of 5 minutes for the review) it came with the fig. I don't know what it is, but I'm having a difficult time with it. It may be glue, but it looks more like ink of some kind *wacko*

To be clear, I mean like splotches, not anything printed. I honestly have no idea what it is, sorry :-/

[MattZitron]

So hypothetically. If I was to buy this.

Get the torso that's glued to the "skirt" I'd just soak it in solvent and it'll come away?

Will it not bleach the paint on the torso?

[Starwars4J]

Honestly Matt, I can't say for sure as I've never done it. Maybe one of our MCN reps would know, but to play it safe, you could just apply it around the seam and hope it weakens it enough for you to be able to separate them manually.

[Shakar]

Ah, I see now. I just ran back inside to check the MF, and lo and behold it was still there. After running it under some water, it still wouldn't come off, whatever it is, and seeing as how she hasn't left the box since I got it (aside of 5 minutes for the review) it came with the fig. I don't know what it is, but I'm having a difficult time with it. It may be glue, but it looks more like ink of some kind *wacko*

To be clear, I mean like splotches, not anything printed. I honestly have no idea what it is, sorry :-/

That's bad.

Could it be glue? Have you tried with a glue solvent? I really hope those splotches go away, they look so unprofessional. :-/

Shakar

[Lord Thrawn]

That surely isn't good... but nevermind. It looks like I'll be doing some experiments on these as it is.

[Zarkan]

Grah, I hate it when TLC makes decisions like glueing half the pieces together. :-|

Oh well, still a great minifig and acessory pack, and not a "terrible" price, although 39.99 USD is a bit too much in my opinion.

Great review anyway. *y*

~~END~~

[Starwars4J]

Grah, I hate it when TLC makes decisions like glueing half the pieces together. :-|

Oh well, still a great minifig and acessory pack, and not a "terrible" price, although 39.99 USD is a bit too much in my opinion.

Great review anyway. *y*

~~END~~

Er, I hate to tell you, but if you thought 39.99 USD was bad...it's 49.99 USD :-/

[natelite]

if anyone found out how to remove the glue safely please post a tutorial. i have quite a few magnet MFs to correct. ;-)

i will have to wait for a lego store sale since the chess sets aren't sold elsewhere. darn it. if anyone went to the bridgewater lego store and saw it was on sale please post in the bst forum! thanks. i have to drive a fair distance to the store so i can't check on it every week. :-P

[alex54]

I don't know how to play chess bt I find this st so beautifull that I will probably buy it! Just for the beautifull aspect! Thanks for the review Starwars4J (but not for my wallet ;-) )

[Zarkan]

Er, I hate to tell you, but if you thought 39.99 USD was bad...it's 49.99 USD

Oh man, that's really bad. Darn you TLC! >:-(

~~END~~

[Norro]

Nice review (as always) shame about the glue (originality is one of my strong points, along with prompt replies).

God Bless,

Nathan who finds to his advantage that all his Questions have been answered