Hero Factory 2014 Discussion

[Gatanui]

That's for the COUNTRY'S release for whatever website it was made. They'll be out in time, Don't worry.

The website is Dutch, I believe. And even there there will probably be stores getting it earlier than that.

-Gata

[Rocketbilly]

But I'm from the UK... And I don't really know when we get new sets. The problem is that I can't wait until March to buy them all. ;o;

Sorry, but we tend to get the new sets way after December - I seem to remember picking my first Breakout set up either early February or late January and it was the same for the Brain Attack sets - and only the medium sized (£10) appeared local to me, then the smaller sets and Furno XL about one or two weeks later.

[Freddy Bricker]

HF has always gotten summer waves. Why would this year be any different?

I should have cleared this up earlier, but I don't follow Hero Factory. It was the introduction of minifigures (specifically Stormer) that got me into this theme. There is nothing that would make this year any different, my knowledge was just... off.

[exxtrooper]

March and August have been the regular release dates for Hero Factory in Scandinavia since launch, this is why I usually order them from Amazon UK to get them earlier. The only theme I can recall we get earlier are star wars, which we usually get a couple months before america (they're out before summer in the summer wave).

Looking forward to picking up these, don't see all the hate for the big Evo machine, I personally like the bigger bulky machines.

[Aethersprite]

I should have cleared this up earlier, but I don't follow Hero Factory. It was the introduction of minifigures (specifically Stormer) that got me into this theme. There is nothing that would make this year any different, my knowledge was just... off.

I'm glad it got your interest. I think this is exactly is what Lego is trying to do - they know how popular minifigures are, so they're trying to get more people interested in HF by including minifigs this year.

[Kalhiki]

I was looking at the set pictures again and noticed that the pieces connecting Rocka's Machine's claws are new. Well, they're not the T-shaped pieces that connected Hydraxon's fingers to his hands, at least. Not sure if they're new, per say, but still. Interesting.

Don't remember if anyone pointed that out.

[Rocketbilly]

I have to say the colour scheme for the beasts is outstanding - they remind me so much of the Technic "competition" theme that I so loved as a kid (that theme is still one of my favourites to this day). Those transparent bones are very nice, but the purple parts that are really grabbing my attention. I only with the beast heads had sculpted details rather than printed ones, though.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Rocketbilly

[Freddy Bricker]

I'm glad it got your interest. I think this is exactly is what Lego is trying to do - they know how popular minifigures are, so they're trying to get more people interested in HF by including minifigs this year.

Thanks, Lego did do a good job of pulling me in, however when I looked up all the Hero Factory sets on Brickset to find out on what I missed out on, well let's just say I wish I had gotten into this theme sooner.

[TheDesuComplex]

I was looking at the set pictures again and noticed that the pieces connecting Rocka's Machine's claws are new. Well, they're not the T-shaped pieces that connected Hydraxon's fingers to his hands, at least. Not sure if they're new, per say, but still. Interesting.

Don't remember if anyone pointed that out.

It's a pneumatic bit in gray that debuted in the Unimog.

[bacem]

2014 HF did a good job of pulling system fans in, but on the other hand, there's also some HF fan who dissapponted on this line and end up pulling out.

when i posted the pictures of 2014 HF on a local forum, there are some system fans that goes like, " oh wow, those minifigs are glorious" or, "this line remond me of exo-force, and i like it". but, there are also HF fans that goes like, " ok, i'm done. this is not what i expected when i goes into HF".

[Shakar]

He was totally joking. I am still shocked that some people took that comment seriously for even a minute, when I believe less than a week prior he admitted he was just joking around to give us things to discuss.

Oh, so it's that. Too bad..but I still want a mech for Breez.

The problem is that the first wave covered only 4 Heroes, like last year. So, yet again, there are 5 more to cover. And, yet again, I fear about 2 are going to be cut off. This year might be different, though- they could still manage to release minifigs of all 9 Heroes by making a set with two of them. A set like Splitter Beast, or something new like a dual-pilot mech/vehicle.

I have to say the colour scheme for the beasts is outstanding - they remind me so much of the Technic "competition" theme that I so loved as a kid (that theme is still one of my favourites to this day). Those transparent bones are very nice, but the purple parts that are really grabbing my attention. I only with the beast heads had sculpted details rather than printed ones, though.

I agree, the colour schemes of the Beasts look great (it's the contrast between black and bright colours, I guess). Unlike last years (save a few instances), it seems they're pulling all the stops with colour schemes, using rarer and more unusual colours. I think that the idea is to make them look like those exotic, brightly coloured reptiles (like poisonous frogs for example).

I hope this trend continues in Summer. I'd like it if metallic colours were avoided for once, as they aren't bright enough. And I'd love ir if they used magenta but I know it's not going to happen.

[LegoPanda]

Hm, i can't say i really like the fact they are minifig sized

[vexorian]

Evo Walker looks like a cool set. Many spiders, original build. Easy way to get minifigure parts and cockpit.

I think the Kaiju are the weak part of the theme. Whilst I think I might get all the mechs because they are too cool, the Kaiju all look like the same thing. They tend to have the same head even. Not only that, but their builds are the same humanoid stuff we have been getting; The only thing difference is the new bricks. The last hope would be that splitter beast actually splits, but that's looking less likely the larger the pictures we get.

2014 HF did a good job of pulling system fans in, but on the other hand, there's also some HF fan who dissapponted on this line and end up pulling out.

when i posted the pictures of 2014 HF on a local forum, there are some system fans that goes like, " oh wow, those minifigs are glorious" or, "this line remond me of exo-force, and i like it". but, there are also HF fans that goes like, " ok, i'm done. this is not what i expected when i goes into HF".

A win for LEGO, there aren't really so many HF fans, but there are tons of system fans.

Edited November 24, 2013 by vexorian

[Kalhiki]

I think the Kaiju are the weak part of the theme. Whilst I think I might get all the mechs because they are too cool, the Kaiju all look like the same thing. They tend to have the same head even. Not only that, but their builds are the same humanoid stuff we have been getting; The only thing difference is the new bricks. The last hope would be that splitter beast actually splits, but that's looking less likely the larger the pictures we get.

I, personally like the all black, similar looking Kaiju. It kinda ties them together as being part of the same group (don't want to say species, because they're all still pretty different). Plus, the all black with bright secondary colors reminds me of the Kaiju from Pacific Rim.

And I wouldn't worry about Splitter Beast not splitting. The name, multiple limbs, and the fact that there are feet wrapped around his lower chest all point to a splitting function.

[Aanchir]

Oh, so it's that. Too bad..but I still want a mech for Breez.

The problem is that the first wave covered only 4 Heroes, like last year. So, yet again, there are 5 more to cover. And, yet again, I fear about 2 are going to be cut off. This year might be different, though- they could still manage to release minifigs of all 9 Heroes by making a set with two of them. A set like Splitter Beast, or something new like a dual-pilot mech/vehicle.

Well, in terms of actual mechs, only four heroes are covered in the first wave, but in terms of minifigures, there are five (Furno, Breez, Evo, Rocka, and Stormer). So I think we'll at least have a good shot at getting the other four heroes (Surge, Stringer, Bulk, and Nex) in the summer, especially since Splitter Beast demonstrated you can have more than one minifigure per set.

One advantage of the switch from character-based models to mechs is that it's not too hard to build your own custom mech. With the heroes who were omitted from Brain Attack, building your own would be a real challenge, since there are no helmets for those heroes designed to work with the Brain Attack heads and visors. But as long as we get minifigures of the characters, that's all the character-specific molds we'd need for Invasion from Below.

I agree, the colour schemes of the Beasts look great (it's the contrast between black and bright colours, I guess). Unlike last years (save a few instances), it seems they're pulling all the stops with colour schemes, using rarer and more unusual colours. I think that the idea is to make them look like those exotic, brightly coloured reptiles (like poisonous frogs for example).

I hope this trend continues in Summer. I'd like it if metallic colours were avoided for once, as they aren't bright enough. And I'd love ir if they used magenta but I know it's not going to happen.

I also like the color schemes. They are unified to a great extent by the use of black and medium azur, but they have other bright accent colors to add further visual interest. I do somewhat wonder what color scheme a mech for Stringer would have in the summer, though — heavy use of black might interfere with the visual language this wave has established. Then again, it shouldn't be hard to reduce the use of black in his mech without losing that connection to the character. After all, Rocka's mech only has three Warm Gold pieces, and two of them are almost entirely concealed by additional Titanium Metallic armor!

Magenta (Bright Reddish Violet) is a lovely color that I wish we'd see in more themes. The Alien Conquest alien minifigures really showed how it can be used well without looking "girly".

I, personally like the all black, similar looking Kaiju. It kinda ties them together as being part of the same group (don't want to say species, because they're all still pretty different). Plus, the all black with bright secondary colors reminds me of the Kaiju from Pacific Rim.

And I wouldn't worry about Splitter Beast not splitting. The name, multiple limbs, and the fact that there are feet wrapped around his lower chest all point to a splitting function.

Furthermore, when the sets were up on Walmart.ca, the product descriptions explicitly confirmed that Splitter Beast can split into two separate beasts. All we have yet to see is what they look like when "split".

Edited November 24, 2013 by Aanchir

[Mesonak]

All we have yet to see is what they look like when "split".

Your wish is my command. :P

Found that earlier while browsing my usual list of websites for no real reason. It's the only set listed on that site that has the back of the bag showcased.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Mesonak

[Shakar]

Shadow Matoran style. Figured as much.

I think I'll fill out the big guy and rebuild the small one. It's a cool idea but I rather have one more Beast since they're already outnumbered.

[Takanuinuva]

Splitter beast come with dark grey bones in the second shortest size. Just what I need for my Stringer moc.

[ToaJaller78]

Thanks, Lego did do a good job of pulling me in, however when I looked up all the Hero Factory sets on Brickset to find out on what I missed out on, well let's just say I wish I had gotten into this theme sooner.

It's Not too late to pick up the Brain Attack sets!

EDIT: Thanks Mesonak. WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS IMAGE?

Edited November 24, 2013 by ToaJaller78

[Aanchir]

Your wish is my command. :P

Found that earlier while browsing my usual list of websites for no real reason. It's the only set listed on that site that has the back of the bag showcased.

Ah, OK. To be honest I'm slightly disappointed. I had misinterpreted the pics we'd seen of Splitter Beast before (I'd thought those talons/stingers on the back were more like wings, and for some reason thought there were four of them instead of just two) so the two resulting figures would BOTH be pretty formidable: one would be a burly land-based threat and the other an agile aerial threat. Instead, it DOES end up reminiscent of the Shadow Matoran in that the smaller figure is only really fearsome and impressive-looking when combined with the larger one, and on its own it seems a little bit plain.

Granted, I understand that the idea I had might not have even been viable at the $20 price point. And funnily enough, this set gives us something I've been wanting for quite some time — a smaller-scale figure. So I suppose I just let my expectations of the set get a bit carried away. It's still probably my favorite of the "beasts".

Seeing the hero mini-robots from the front, it's good to see their proportions are pretty good. The length of each leg is only slightly shorter than half the height of the figure, and since the knees of the hero legs have an inherent bend to them, I'd say that makes them not unlike the proportions of a typical 2.0 or 3.0 hero set. Not quite as short and stout as the 1.0 heroes, nor as tall and lanky as the medium-sized Breakout heroes.

One other observation I would make about the back of Splitter Beast's packaging — there are no advertisements for a combi model or alternate model of any kind. That doesn't mean there won't be any — after all, the 2012 sets' packaging didn't show off the combi models either. And if we're lucky, maybe we'll see a return to the level of originality in the 2012 combi models. This year's combi models, in spite of their better-coordinated colors, were fairly bland "armor enhancements" to each of the heroes instead of completely original models with unique builds. The 2012 combi models were criticized heavily for having disjointed color schemes and not using a whole lot of the parts from each set, but they were certainly more imaginative.

On an unrelated note, I wish I could find a site that had pics of the American packaging for 44015 and 44016, so we could know their piece counts. By my count each has 49-50 pieces, which is comparable to the better piece counts for the $10 price point in the 2013 lineup. The larger sets naturally have a better price-per-piece since they have more parts overall to offset the larger and more expensive parts, but the sets still seem more or less equitable.

[Kalhiki]

Wish there was more going on with the smaller half of Splitter Beast. He's really bare. I'll see what I can do once I get him to armor him up.

That being said, it's nice to get a back view of the packaging, so thanks Mesonak. Also love that we got new shots of the Heroes. Much easier to see how they look now that we have head-on shots.

[vexorian]

Now I am like splitter beast even less than before :/

Edited November 24, 2013 by vexorian

[Dorek]

I'm surprised anybody thought it would be different. I'd love to see an aerial beast at some point, but considering the piece count on SB and the overall look, it was pretty obvious how it would turn out. Just means he looks slightly better as a double headed monster, is all.

[DOTM Shockwave]

Your wish is my command. :P

Found that earlier while browsing my usual list of websites for no real reason. It's the only set listed on that site that has the back of the bag showcased.

Not quite what I was expecting, but it doesn't really matter to me, I'm planning to fuse the two together when I get him/them anyways.

Edited November 25, 2013 by DOTM Shockwave

[bacem]

the picture don't wan't to come out? i'm curious too. can somebody save it on brickshelf? because it looks like the picture has been erased. or is it just me?