Subject:
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Review: 4751 HP Marauder's Map
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.reviews
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Date:
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Thu, 9 Sep 2004 04:29:23 GMT
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Viewed:
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9573 times
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4751: Marauder's Map
Price: 9.99, now 6.99 at Wal-Mart
Pieces: 106
BrickLink part value: about $15
Value: Quite good
This fills the $10 playset slot in the HP 2004 lineup. As such its role is to
make a tiny building with one action scene. It's got a pleasant double arch and
even a hint of architectural ornament with the jutting inverse slopes and dormer
peak on the back. As such it tries to freshen up the old Lego cliche of sliding
trap door-hidden treasure in a square box. It's not genius but at least it's
not another trap door junk piece. The basement under the trap door at least
makes sense at minifig height. So much for the main model.
Two new sand green slopes: the 3x4 low slope and 1x2 half-pyramid are the rare
bits, along with a tan 2x2 tile, and the happy reappearance of tan log bricks.
Aside from the new colors, there's not a bad piece in here. The basic parts are
getting coverage in new grays and brown but are still a little boring if you've
seen a lot of the HP sets. Basic bricks, round bricks, 3 arch types, slopes,
plates. If only it included a few more 1x4 (most needed part!) it would be just
fine.
The special pieces are here in the proper ratio: headlights, technic 1x1 and
sliding track pieces which are all useful for many decorative facade tricks. If
the rest of the HP 2004 line is this solid, only the color change explains why
true fans are not cheering. Although after years of HP clearance who doesn't
have enough HP castle parts? (No offense to new fans!)
The alternate model is a truncated version of the main one. So, no points for
alternate models (we are spared a car or speedboat though there is a hint of
airplane wing.) However, if you were on a trip with just this set, I consider
that the parts assortment here is great for constructing micro buildings, and
the brown pillars can make docks, suggesting an untapped "civic riparian theme."
I didn't mention the minifigs: they're new style. The robed statue is cool, I
want more of them.
Overall, the set design is good: stronger in parts than model. But it is
definitely a passing grade (on the new color curve.)
Special note: one of the 2x8 dk.blay plates is my first discovery of an air void
or mold error in a Lego part. (part no 3034, 7-48)
-Erik
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