Hero Factory 2013

[Kalhiki]

Well, they look pretty good.

Ogrum's nice, but I still retain my opinion. I've grown to like him. Breez still looks cool. Hopefully that "smile" is just a shine on the helmet because as a smile, it just looks weird. Rocka's still awesome. Scarox looks better. Also, nice view of the Brain Slug. I still like Pyrox, but hopefully his helmet isn't that glossy. And with his head sticking that far forward, the horns look kinda strange. But the fire pieces look great! Bruizer is quite nice still, but the arm looks like it's going to be stuck in that position due to the function. Furno looks great. The sheer mass of his upper half makes me completely ignore the lack of crotch armor. But I'm still replacing the feet with red ones.

One thing I don't like is that the "arms" around the Core completely cover it. I liked the other pics that still have the Core visible.

Kalhiki

[Aanchir]

Wow... seeing actual non-CGI photos of these sets casts them in a very different light. On one hand, the lighting quality is terrible, but on the other hand, seeing the characters in a view other than head-on makes some of them look a lot more appealing (particularly Pyrox and Ogrum).

Rocka's pic seems to make the new torso piece look quite awful, though. It doesn't seem to curve over the shoulders as much as previous torso shells, and thus feels like it desperately needs back armor of some sort. His silver feet and hands also feel quite out-of-place.

The new flame element on Furno XL and Pyrox is gorgeous!

Breez's leg armor doesn't bother me so much now, but her color scheme is organized so chaotically... not really a fan of that.

Overall, I can't wait for reviews to start popping up. Looking forward to learning how Bruizer and Scarox's functions work. It's probably nothing too exciting, but it'll be good to know for sure.

[Shakar]

The tr. green looks more ambiguous than ever..now it looks like everyone uses tr. neon green except Ogrum. And Rocka is all tr. neon green except the rights houlder cladding..

Furno (dat visor..so..pretty..), Pyrox, Ogrum and Rocka look better than before. Bruizer looks worse, and I don't know about Breeze.. Generally, all 3 small Heroes should lose the dark bley bones, but their colour schemes are messy even without them.

Lastly, I'm worried about the head colour. All characters whose helmets let you see what's under seem to use tr bright green heads. Could it be the piece has been produced only in that colour, at least for this wave?

Can't believe I forgot to mention the new flame weapon pieces. They already looked cool before, sure, but them being transparent is so much better! I'd love a recoloured version of them in Summer as lightning- Surge weapon anyone?

Edited December 4, 2012 by Shakar

[CabooseBM]

Is anyone else disappointed that Bruizer isn't entirely metru bley?

[vexorian]

Without the cgi, you get to see that the brains are ugly rubber. Now not even bruizer looks fine. To me the whole wave is a parts pack. But if I want parts, I might as well try to find discounts for 2.0 , 3.0 or break out parts.

Hope this is the last HF year, as this looks like the beginning of a decline.

[Cirkit]

Okay, I can finally see how bad-A Breez and Orgum are now.

Vine fingers, hard, round armor, a flail and that face? Orgum looks to be a real threat to the galaxy.

(Also, the glowy green parts look so much better in this light)

But here comes Breez, to capture the foe and save the day! With her sleek armor, buzzsaw-shield and staff, she's ready for action!

I too am a little disappointed that Bruizer isn't all bley, but his appearance still works. Still think his head looks Megatron-esk. The function Front mentioned isn't really visible from this angle, I'm more curious about it than ever. I am upset that while Bruizer can get metallic dark grey feet, Rocka has silver feet which really clash with the rest of his look, even though the sword, shield, and trans elements are still pretty cool looking. No new Bulk shot though.. shame.

The angle with Scarox is great, really shows off the Brain. I see something like an Exo-Force arm stuck in there, wonder what it's for?

Pyrox looks like an absolute beast with that face, and I love the trans elements. Furno rocks the fire-blades well, in fact I think he's the best looking of the wave. Anyone else think he looks darker than usual, less like a Hero and more like the villain?

And...

Can't believe I forgot to mention the new flame weapon pieces. They already looked cool before, sure, but them being transparent is so much better! I'd love a recoloured version of them in Summer as lightning- Surge weapon anyone?

Yes, yes, and more yes!! 8D

[Zachattacx]

Another Transformers reference..doesn't Furno look like Sentinel Prime from DOTM....Heel turn?

Still loving me some Pyrox,Ogrum,even more of Bruizer,and a lot more of Breez.

Rocka....I don't like him anymore,could be the pose but the colors are mixed.

Scarox looks a lot better,but still ain't good enough for me/

Edited December 5, 2012 by Zachattacx

[Aanchir]

Without the cgi, you get to see that the brains are ugly rubber. Now not even bruizer looks fine. To me the whole wave is a parts pack. But if I want parts, I might as well try to find discounts for 2.0 , 3.0 or break out parts.

Hope this is the last HF year, as this looks like the beginning of a decline.

While I can understand your reasons for disliking this wave, how would ending the line entirely prevent a decline? It's not like there's anything inherent to the Hero Factory theme that's responsible for the trend you're seeing. A replacement line could just as easily continue in the same direction, and I'd hate for constraction sets to be discontinued entirely.

Personally, I have no problem with the rubbery consistency of the brain slugs, as they still seem to match the color schemes of the sets they're on fairly well (besides Scarox's which never really matched any of the other parts of his color scheme even in the earlier pics we had seen).

[Aethersprite]

The angle makes Furno's empty crotch area look better, but I won't be able to judge completely for sure until I see reviews. Still can't figure out his torso construction, but definitely the best of the wave.

My opinion of the other sets have not changed, except for Rocka. His helmet looks too long and disproportionate.

[Aanchir]

There's a new LEGO Hero Factory app for iPad and iPhone called "Brainify". I can't find much info on it online, but iTunes users can search for it and find a description and screenshots.

It's just a gimmicky "modify a photo you take of yourself" app, but it is itneresting to see TLG promoting the new wave in this way so soon.

[Cirkit]

That sounds interesting.

Is it one that you take a front-on or 3/4 view pic of your face, and the app morphs the picture for you?

Also, I'm beginning to see what's up with Rocka's helmet. Short visor, long helmet.

Ah well, at least we know the brains can't effect Heroes unless they're on top of their heads.. right?

EDIT: That last line is an assumption.

Edited December 5, 2012 by Cirkit

[Aanchir]

That sounds interesting.

Is it one that you take a front-on or 3/4 view pic of your face, and the app morphs the picture for you?

Yep, and it animates the transformation. It's frankly a little terrifying. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a weak stomach.

[ZORK64]

I was already expecting the brain slugs to be rubbery. They looked waaay too much like Kraata and those wormies from the Rahkshi to me.

Now to the sets itself:

- Breez' smile looks kinda derpy to me. Aside from that, she still comes with a fair share of lime and silver pieces. Not a must-have for me, but odds are good that I'll buy her anyway.

- Bruizer's head looks kinda weird from that angle. But I still dig all the parts he comes with. I'll most likely get him.

- Furno XL looks cool. As long as he's the same price as Stormer XL I'll get him with no doubt.

- Ogrum looks even better than before. Still a Must-Have.

- Scarox looks dull. Plus, I'm not too keen on gold parts. Pass.

- Same goes for Rocka. Except for the sword, but that's not enough to convince me.

- I don't know about Pyrox. The printed shell on his left thigh looks awesome though.

But I'm honestly more curios about Legends of Chima.

[vexorian]

While I can understand your reasons for disliking this wave, how would ending the line entirely prevent a decline?

Something that does not exist cannot decline.

It's not like there's anything inherent to the Hero Factory theme that's responsible for the trend you're seeing. A replacement line could just as easily continue in the same direction, and I'd hate for constraction sets to be discontinued entirely.

And would be called different instead of messing up with HF's name.

Personally, I have no problem with the rubbery consistency of the brain slugs, as they still seem to match the color schemes of the sets they're on fairly well (besides Scarox's which never really matched any of the other parts of his color scheme even in the earlier pics we had seen).

That sort of transparent rubber looks ugly. I don't care about the color as much as I care about how awful that rubber looks in general. I knew they were going to be rubber, but I was thinking/hoping they would be Krata-style rubber (which is all right and looks organic in a good way). Instead they are Barraki squid-style rubber (which look like a Chinese toy that poisons children when broken).

Edited December 5, 2012 by vexorian

[Jetrax99]

Certainly doesn't look like rubber to me. In fact it looks like solid plastic w/ the tail being the flexible plastic used for the mahri tubes.

Rubber? Surely you jest.

[Cirkit]

Bruizer's arm is starting to make sense to me.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Whatever bone extension on the shoulder is connected to one of those black cup pieces with the 3 plus-axle connections.

There's a blue plus/round pin connection part, which is put into that black cup part, and into the Technic beam. The round pin connecting the beam is what gives Bruizer his function.

I would imagine that the small black ball parts and more blue pins are what holds the fist and armor in place on the beam.

If this confuses anyone, I'll gladly do a mockup and post it here.

I like that the sets are going for more of a Technic/Action Figure Building System blend, but I'm not sure how Scarox will benefit from that...

Edited December 6, 2012 by Cirkit

[Mr. Gundam]

Couple of things I notice:

The "Brainify" app shows six different color slugs. In this wave there missing a Light blue and dark blue slug. So, I'm assuming the other two will be in the summer.

Bruizer's big arm has a beam or level piece. Its just hard to tell

Post it I'm lost

Last Edit: GUYS!!

I zoom in on the picture and found out he uses an Double Angular Beam 3X7 piece for his arm

Edited December 6, 2012 by Mr. Gundam

[Zachattacx]

I can see where your going with that Cirkit,It sounds cool if that's the case.

In other words I just downloaded the Brainify app and I saw something,they are different brain colors such as Ice blue and blue...could that possibly mean villains with those colors?Honestly it would be cool,but I highly doubt it,but a snowman could be possible now with the ice blue brain if it happens.

EDIT:Dang Mr.Gundam beat me to the touch.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Zachattacx

[Bfahome]

I don't see the issue with the slugs being rubber. I don't think it's the prettiest texture to look at either, but they're brain slugs, they're not supposed to be pretty.

[TheRedGuy]

All the sets = Meh. I'm also scared to see what waits for me under the mask(s).

By the way, can someone take pics of the app? (Waiting until Lego make apps for Android users that we actually want)

Edited December 6, 2012 by TheRedGuy

[Shakar]

Well, we got our first background/scenery picture for the 2013 story:

Source: http://appshopper.co...actory-brainify

Pretty creepy stuff. The green mist feels a lot like 2005. Between this and Galaxy Squad, 2013 is the return of evil insect aliens

Oh, and I subscribe for a screenshot to be posted. Those light blue / dark blue brain slugs do sound really cool and pretty much confirm a Summer wave.

Since it's basically confirmed that the real villains are the slugs, the bad guy sets are secondary to the whole picture, being mere victims.. meaning the slugs can choose any victim to mutate and control.

That means Lego is free to choose a completely different style for the Summer villains (what if in Summer the slugs manage to invade Makuhero City? ). I'm not too hot for the elemental style, you know. .

Edited December 6, 2012 by Shakar

[DarkSurgeXL]

I wonder, why are there no alt. pictures of Bulk. Seems like it was the most disputable set, and TLC wants to edit it a little.

Still, great pics. I wonder if Pyrox is dark red, as if now it seems that he really is.

And, has it been actually confirmed, that hero's visors are clip up?

[Shakar]

The missing Bulk picture is kind of weird, but I highly doubt they're editing the set this late. 2013 sets in general could pop in stores as early as next week.

Pyrox always was dark red.

Well, it's not confirmed, but going by Front's words ("Savage Planet claws/fangs can attach directly to the head") it's highly likely.

[Vinyl Scratch]

Is it me or does that look like a laboratory.

...

Could Von Nebula be the reason of this Brain Attack?

[Cirkit]

That is one possibility. The brains being part of an experiment that escaped the lab?

I bet if there is an episode for this 'Brain Attack' wave, 'Nebula will be hinted at being behind the whole thing.

If that were so, wouldn't it be awesome if 'Nebula's 'Brain-Aliens' turned on him, and made him their slave(or a new Titan set)?

If the Brains invaded Makuhero City(<- this sounds like the title of a play, but I can't figure out which one), I could see the worker bots, or perhaps different forms of XT4 being taken over by Brain-control. Worst case: They get to Makuro D:

On the plus side, he'd finally be in a set!