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Subject: 
Rock Raiders --Wider is not better.
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.general
Date: 
Fri, 14 May 1999 03:32:58 GMT
Viewed: 
641 times
  
Hello again,

Every once in a while I break out of lurk to post and Rock Raiders
set 4970, Chrome Crusher, was the inspiration this time.

As is usual in my reviews, I break out the good, the bad, and the
ugly.  So here goes.

The Good: Lots of spunk in the little mini-figure.  I like the new
helmet.  I like his insane look.  I like the worn tough look of the
set in general.  Rock Raiders are the dwarves of Legoland (or
System if you like), living underground, mining, singing, and just
being tough.  Also spitting on those tree loving Elf types ( okay,
maybe just Jar Jar).  I like the Fabuland wrench included.  Always
nice to see the return of old pieces.  The cockpit is wonderful, as
are the tires, although I wish they were rubber (oh, the good ole days.)
Lastly, I like the turquoise bricks, but there weren't enough of them.
If it seems like I'm straining to find something good about this set, I
am.

The Bad:  Okay, I liked the Fabuland wrench.  I didn't know the whole
set was Fabuland.  First of all, the huge plate with pegs that makes
up the base of the model is Jr. to the Nth.  We continue with the
huge 'bucket' piece.  Yes, that's what we need.  A large piece that
makes
a box.  Hello, we have bricks to make boxes.  That's what bricks do.
The large side railing pieces were along the same line.  It didn't
seem like I was building this set, but like the remote control car,
taking a pre-built chassis and just adding the kibble.

The Ugly (my general thoughts): Now that you've opened up your
Star Wars sets and said to yourself, "Self, that Sith Infiltrator isn't
so bad.  It is filled with good solid basic bricks and plates like
the rest of the Star Wars sets.  It seems that the Lego designers
have realized the error of their ways.  I will buy Rock Raiders now
because they look cool and I know those designers won't let me down."
Well, now slap yourself, because you are wrong.  Despite those
adorable mini-figures and rugged looks, there isn't much going for these
sets.  I will buy one more for another cockpit, but I won't even
buy them for turquoise parts.  I won't buy them despite my dream
of lots of silver christmas trees in my town next year or funky
spires on a Ukrainian church.  There are parts in this set that look
like they were added just to up piece count and to keep there
from being large empty spaces caused by the huge pieces.  I was
literally horrified looking at the scarce pickings when I opened
the box.  I expected a modern version of 6927 - All-Terrain Vehicle,
but instead I got an expensive set for a couple cool pieces.  And
if they are going to skimp on everything else, would it have killed
them to put another mini-fig in?

Ratings: just in case you need one...2 out of 10.

For comparison:
Galaxy Explorer: 10 out of 10
Snow Speeder: 9 out of 10
All-Terrain Vehicle: 8 out of 10
6892 Modular Space Transport: 4 out of 10


Allen Carley
acarley@ix.netcom.com



Message has 2 Replies:
  Re: Rock Raiders --Wider is not better.
 
Do they have ANY alternative models on the back? With the abundance of large specialised pieces some LEGO sets are practically useless as a source of good parts. On the other hand the excessive packaging for some of these sets would make good fire (...) (25 years ago, 14-May-99, to lugnet.general)
  Re: Rock Raiders --Wider is not better.
 
---...--- (...) You forgot about 'speaking in a hokey Australian accent' (as in the movie 'Alien From LA'). While you might want to pass on 4970, check out the two smallest sets, they are pretty decent. Rob (25 years ago, 14-May-99, to lugnet.general)

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