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76419 Hogwarts Castle and Grounds Review

By Rakesh Gosai (SAFOLs Brick Deputy)

Hey there SAFOLs! How do you get into Hogwarts? Through the Dumble-door.

Brace yourselves for the exciting news about the 76419 Hogwarts Castle and Grounds set. It showcases a super cool micro scale version of Hogwarts Castle!

This compact model takes inspiration from the LEGO® Architecture series, and let me tell you, it doesn’t hold back on the awesomeness. With 2,660 pieces, it manages to capture the essence of Hogwarts without taking up all your space or emptying your wallet.

I mean, let’s be real here, not everyone can afford the epic 71043 Hogwarts Castle set that costs a small fortune. LEGO® knows that, and they’ve heard our pleas. They’ve created this more practical and affordable option that still looks absolutely stunning.

The design itself is on point, with all the iconic towers and spires of Hogwarts beautifully represented. But that’s not all – they’ve also included references to key moments and places in the Harry Potter series. From the Chamber of Secrets to the Durmstrang Ship, the Weasley’s Ford Anglia stuck in the Whomping Willow, and even the Beauxbatons Carriage landing, you’ll find all the magical details you love.

Opening the box, you’ll find lots and lots of numbered bags, this was a very full box and includes two very thick instruction manuals, they look beautiful and throughout the instructions, there’s detailed info about each section of Hogwarts.

In this set, the Castle looks like it is coming out of the water with all of the White Caps around it. I do really like it I think it’s an amazing display piece. The castle build, the rock work behind it and throughout the build is excellent, you can see some Crystal pieces and sand green being used to represent trees as well as ice cream cone pieces and dark green pieces. Very good looking at the bottom of the build. The Boathouse with 12 pieces looks really good! This set has all printed tiles!!

There’s a couple of Pathways leading away from the boathouse, one in a tan colour and one in a dark tan colour. The dark tan leads to Beauxbatons Carriage flying through the sky and The Great Hall, you can see that Shield piece is printed with a clock, and just below that we have the printed doorway and a courtyard. The Great Hall overall just looks phenomenal, and it’s built at a really cool angle, just to the right of that we have the Grand Tower where you would find Dumbledore’s office.

The back side of the Great Hall there are printed window pieces, with more trees and a pathway leading into another large building and Courtyard area. There’s a bridge with a small stream of water underneath it, leading across to the next section where you’ll find some very nice, printed window pieces. The Astronomy Tower which also looks pretty great on the side, although the side of it with all the holes looks a little bit weird, I think this needs to be tweaked.

I really found the underneath of the build very strange as I am used to building on a baseplate and this set does not use one! They have instead used plates, maybe something for me to change at a later date.

If you’re into minifigures, this set comes with an exclusive Architect of Hogwarts Minifigure. This guy is dressed to impress, with a snazzy pearl gold outfit. Plus, can we take a moment to appreciate his new beard? It really grows on you!

All in all, LEGO® has really went all out in designing this set. I had the chance to see it up close AND build it, trust me, Harry Potter fans are going to be over the moon with this Pottercularly version of Hogwarts Castle. Whether you’re a collector or just a fan of all things magical, this set is a must-have.

Head on out to your closest LEGO® store and be sure to use the spell Accio to summon this set!

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31137 Creator 3-in-1 Adorable Dogs Review

By Rakesh Gosai (SAFOLs Brick Deputy)

I recently got my hands on the LEGO® Creator 3-in-1 Adorable Dogs (31137) set, and let me tell you, it’s pretty paw-some! As someone who has a pet dog AND loves animals, this set caught my eye with its cute doggy designs and fun extras. Plus, you never know what cool building tricks or pieces you might discover along the way, right?

What’s Inside and How Much?

This set comes with 475 pieces and is priced between R385.00 and R499.00. Not bad at all considering the bang for your buck! It’s always nice when you feel like you’re getting more than what you paid for.

The Fun Stuff

Now, let’s dive into the good stuff. This set lets you build not just the adorable pups but also doggy essentials like a food bowl, chew toys, and even a magic leash. That’s pretty cool, right? Plus, there are some unique pieces thrown in, like a Black elastic wire that’s usually hard to come by.

The Doggy Crew

When it comes to the pups, you’ve got quite the lineup – from a Labrador Golden Retriever to a Beagle, a Poodle, and more. While the building process can get a bit same-old, same-old, it’s a neat way to learn the ropes and get creative with customizations. The dogs turn out cute, but maybe a bit more puppy-like than full-grown doggo vibes.

The Final Bark

In a nutshell, this set is a hit or miss depending on your love for dogs. Kids are sure to have a blast with the simple builds and cute designs. But if dogs aren’t your thing, it might not fetch your interest as much. Despite some repetitiveness, the set offers a good mix of fun and educational value, making it a solid choice for dog enthusiasts and LEGO® lovers alike.

So, if you’re looking to add a touch of puppy love to your LEGO® collection, the Creator 3-in1 Adorable Dogs (31137) set could be just the tail-wagging addition you need!

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21345 Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera Review

By Barry Kay (SAFOLs Brick Boss, CapeLUG Member, Batman … Ssshhhh!)

Introduction:

As an experienced LEGO® builder and avid collector, I was thrilled when the LEGO® Ideas 21345 Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera set was announced. Combining the charm of a vintage Polaroid camera with the creative possibilities of LEGO® building, this set promised to be a unique addition to my collection. In this comprehensive review, I will delve into the intricate details of the build process, the design elements, and the overall experience of constructing and admiring this nostalgic masterpiece.

Packaging and Unboxing:

Inside the box there are the usual numbered bags to facilitate a smooth building process. The instruction manual, featuring clear and concise steps, complements the packaging with its high-quality visuals and a brief history of the Polaroid camera.

Building Process:

The set consists of 1,203 pieces. There are Technic elements used in the camera’s structure to add a layer of complexity to the build and are reminiscent of the intricate mechanics within the actual Polaroid camera. Assembling the folding bellows mechanism was a particular highlight, showcasing the designer’s ingenuity in recreating real-world functionalities.

The attention to detail extends to the colour palette, with a mix of classic black, white, and a hint of beige to emulate the vintage Polaroid aesthetic. The use of specialized pieces, such as the printed Polaroid logo tile and the unique shutter button, adds authenticity to the model. The build also incorporates clever building techniques to recreate the curves and contours of the camera, capturing its iconic silhouette.

Design Elements:

One of the standout features of the set is its commitment to authenticity. The finished Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera is a faithful recreation of the original, complete with a foldable design, viewfinder, and a detailed film ejection slot. The attention to detail in replicating the camera’s features is a testament to the designer’s dedication to creating realistic and immersive models.

The printed elements, including the Polaroid logo and the iconic rainbow stripe, are of the highest quality. The decision to use printed parts rather than stickers enhances the overall aesthetics and ensures a durable finish. The details extend to the viewfinder, where a transparent piece allows you to peer inside, adding an extra layer of realism.

Functionality:

This set not only captures the essence of the vintage camera but also incorporates interactive elements that elevate the overall experience. The folding mechanism is fully functional, allowing you to collapse the camera just like the real thing. The film ejection slot is a thoughtful addition, providing a playful touch that pays homage to the instant photography experience.

Furthermore, the camera’s viewfinder is adjustable, enabling you to position it at different angles for added display flexibility. This attention to functionality enhances the set’s playability and makes it a great addition to one’s collection.

Display and Presentation:

Upon completing the set, I found myself admiring at the finished model. The Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera exudes a sense of nostalgia that transcends its LEGO® form. The set comes with a sturdy display stand, featuring a printed plaque with the set’s name and the LEGO® Ideas logo. This stand elevates the camera, allowing it to be showcased as the centrepiece of any LEGO® collection.

The compact size of the model makes it suitable for display on shelves, desks, or even alongside other LEGO® camera sets. The attention-grabbing design and vibrant colour scheme ensure that it stands out in any display setting, making it a conversation starter for those who appreciate both LEGO® craftsmanship and vintage photography.

Conclusion:

The LEGO® Ideas 21345 Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera set is a well-crafted tribute to both the world of instant photography and the art of LEGO® building. From the carefully designed packaging to the nostalgic design elements and the functional folding mechanism, every aspect of this set reflects LEGO®’s commitment to quality and creativity. Whether you’re an experienced LEGO® collector, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates a trip down memory lane, the LEGO® Ideas 21345 Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera is a must-have addition to your collection.

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41757 Friends Botanical Garden Review

Review by Anne-Marie Wolfaardt (SAFOLs Members, CapeLUG Members)

This is one of the most beautiful LEGO® sets I have ever built. The LEGO® Friends Botanical Garden set is elegant and can be used in any LEGO® City. I loved building it.

The set has 1072 pieces and 3 LEGO® Friends Mini-dolls.

Recommended age for the set is 12+, which means it caters for more advanced builders so ensure you some advance building skills.

The box already shows some of the fauna and flora that will be created in the set and their botanical names. Inside the box is the instruction booklet, six bags and a small sticker sheet.

The three LEGO® Friends characters are:

  • Liann, the artistic skater, comes with a sketchbook and pen.
  • Adi’s apron shows she works at the botanical garden.
  • Niko, their friend from high school, has a camera and selfie stick, although I am not sure how he can take pictures with the selfie stick if his phone is in a messaging app 😊

I love the coral and yellow colours used on the Liann’s and Adi’s tops.

On page 2 and 3 of the instruction manual you get a guide to some of the fauna and flora used in the build.

Bag 1 builds 2 mini-dolls, a picnic blanket with accessories and the pond.

  • Building the pond was very interesting.  The design use to build the pond can be used when making MILS system, and I will surely use this technique in future builds. There are 2 koi fish printed 1×2 tiles and a bright green frog that you can see through the light blue tiles of the pond.  The pond is rounded off with some tan tiles and is decorated with ducks and lily pads that makes the pond very colourful.

Bag 2 builds the last mini-doll, waterfall, and the start of the building.

  • The waterfall is beautiful, and the design is very simple but so effective.  Inside this part of the building are the succulents and cacti.  You also build a seating area that will surround a tree, later in the built. 

Bag 3 continues with the opposite side of the building. 

  • On this side we have all the other exotic plants that makes the botanical garden beautiful. The creative use of parts to make the plants is amazing.  The Bird of Paradise uses a spiky orange headpiece, the nepenthes use bright green saxophone, and the rafflesia uses red spiky shoulder pads.

Bag 4 continues with the building and adds some more plants that hang in the air. 

  • We also build a dome over the plants, and it looks so fantastic.  In my opinion, I think they missed a 1×4 white tile to finish off where the dome is connected.

Bag 5 starts with the finishing touches of the first floor of the building as well as the water fountain on the roof.

Bag 6 has all the trees that are added to the building. 

  • The trees are so beautiful and just gives the botanical gardens that finishing touches that makes for a great build. The park bench by the entrance where visitors can sit is unique because of the use of the open mouth black snakes for the framework.

The dome is a very eye-catching fixture. I enjoyed building the structure that suspends the 4 butterflies that is attached to the dome.

The 2 trees that finish off the building shows the creative use of LEGO® pieces. The plumeria tree is surrounded by a seating area that makes the Botanical Garden look so inviting and tranquil.  The plum blossom tree just adds that extra dash of colour to the pond.

The only thing I would change in the set is to swap the succulents/cacti and the bonsai tree. The succulents and cacti grow in a dry and hot environment and near the waterfall is not good placement, placing the bonsai tree next to the waterfall will give it a cool environment and protect it inside the building. 

I highly recommend this set; it is fun to build and will be a great addition to any LEGO® City. The set looks sophisticated and grown up.  This is a must have for all the LEGO® Friends lovers.

10312 Icons Jazz Club Review

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By Rakesh Gosai (SAFOLs Brick Deputy)

Welcome to the 18th set in the Modular Buildings Collection, the Jazz Club. This set not only features the Jazz Club, but also a rooftop greenhouse, pizzeria, and a tailor shop.

The set comes in 22 numbered bags, with instructions in a separate booklet. The build is divided into three main sections: the jazz club, the pizzeria, and the tailor’s shop. Also, something new for me, are the instructions inside a white carton and this includes a 32×32 grey baseplate inside. I enjoyed reading the facts that are between the steps. My favourite piece is the Jazz Concert piece with a minifigure playing a trumpet, this piece is beautiful!

The jazz club is the most complex section of the build. It features a 3-story structure with a stage, bar, and dance floor. The stage is decorated with a backdrop of musical notes, and the bar has a jukebox and a selection of drinks. The dance floor is made up of a series of tiles that can be moved around to create different patterns.

The pizzeria is a 2-story structure with a kitchen, dining area, and rooftop terrace. The kitchen is equipped with a pizza oven, a stove, and a sink. The dining area has a table and chairs, and the rooftop terrace has a bench and a planter. The detail for the wood burning pizza oven is outstanding! My daughter always asks about a toilet in these modular buildings, I am glad this set has it!

The tailor’s shop is a small 1-story structure with a workroom and a display window. The workroom has a sewing machine, a cutting table, and a mannequin. The display window is decorated with a selection of clothes.

The set includes 8 unique minifigures: a jazz musician, a DJ, a bartender, a pizza chef, a tailor, a customer, a couple, and a cat. The minifigures are all well-designed and have a variety of accessories, such as musical instruments, food, and clothing.

The build is challenging but rewarding. The instructions are clear and concise, and the parts are well-labeled. The set includes a number of new building techniques, such as the 45-degree doorway, which make the build even more interesting. The details in each section of this set is amazing and sure to delight expert builders.

The finished product is a stunning display piece. The attention to detail is incredible, from the intricate brickwork on the facade to the realistic instruments in the jazz club. The set is sure to bring joy to builders of all ages.

The backyards of the Modular buildings are usually unimpressive. This set fits nicely between the Boutique Hotel 10297 and the Police Station 10278. The Jazz Club is an awesome addition to any neighbourhood with its amazing colour scheme, good building techniques and plenty of details.

The set is a great value for the price. It has 2899 pieces, which is a lot of bang for your buck.

Overall, the Lego Icons 10312 Jazz Club is an excellent set that is sure to please fans of all ages. It is a challenging but rewarding build, and the finished product is a stunning display piece. I highly recommend it.

43217 Disney™ Up House Review

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Review by Ben Groot (SAFOLs Member, CapeLUG Member)

My family and I enjoy watching Disney movies together, often with some home-made popcorn. We have watched Disney’s Up several times, with the DVD sitting in our collection. When we saw that Lego was releasing a set for this movie, it was high on our wanted list. Many people will also recall that one of the set’s designers, Ollie Gregory, visited South Africa earlier this year. I was unfortunately not able to get a signed box of this set.

The box contains the instruction manual, a sticker sheet, and four numbered bags. In each of the first three bags a different minifigure is included: Russel, Carl and Dug the dog. The set contains 598 parts, with 6 unique elements, other than the minifigs.

Starting with the minifigs, they are portrayed very accurately. Both Carl and Russel have the double-sided minifig head: Russel’s head has a smile on one side and a big smile on the other, whilst Carl has his well-known scowl on one side and a smile on the other. He also sports his walking cane.

Russel’s backpack was a very fun build: it attaches to his neck in a clever way, and contains his cup, binoculars, a pan, a fork and even his trumpet! The weight of the backpack does, however, mean that he cannot stand on his own, and must be fixed onto a plate or brick for him not to topple backwards.

Starting with bag 1, Russel is built, and then work starts on the house itself. Lots of details from the movie are included in some very clever ways: a ribbed round brick (part no 4650644) is used as a lampshade, and a black minifig hat (part no 6349965) is used as part of the ancient record player. There are unfortunately quite a few stickers to be applied, for example the picture above the lamp, as well as the wall clock. The biggest unhappiness as far as stickers are concerned, was that both sides of the front door have a sticker. If one considers that many children will want to build this set, the use of stickers, especially on the front door, may make it difficult to get the look exactly right.

Bag 2 continues the house, and here a few SNOT-techniques are used to build up the windows and frames, and to get their angles just right. Inside the house, the details continue, with a tv set (stickered again), as well as the iconic “My adventure book”. I quite liked the modified minifig head, which is used as a transparent money jar labelled “Paradise Falls”, with even some coins in it (part no 6422742 and unique to this set). This was a great touch, but the part will of course not easily be used in MOC’s. It did, however, add to the nostalgia from the movie, as the money jar is referred to several times in the movie.

The upper level of the house and a portion of the roof are built from bag 3. The upper level contains Carl’s bedroom with a cleverly designed bed, and an attic. The TV unfortunately looks as if it has merely been stuck in the middle of the floor, without considering where it would fit best. The roof slope is obtained with the use of some hinge bricks. Unfortunately, there are no stairs linking the top and bottom floors, but given the size of the build, this is not surprising.

The last bag completes the roof, and then it is on to the balloons. Even though the building of the balloons is repetitive, they are cleverly spaced, so that the colours are evenly distributed. They are cleverly linked to the chimney, using an axle, and one can see how they are in the process of being released through the chimney. Lastly, there is loose 6×6 plate with bow that contains the fence and a few stray balloons, as well as a well-designed gas bottle inflating a balloon.

The build is not difficult at all, but, once finished, I was quite surprised at how small it was: the base of the house is only 18×6 studs. For its small size, though, it has an impressive amount of detail.

This is a lovely display piece, and with its abundant colour will immediately catch the eye. It is very playable as well, which will probably attract the kids. It fits in nicely with some of the other Disney sets, such as the Winnie the Pooh set (set no 21326) and can easily be displayed next to them.

The set retails for R999 at LCS and R969 at Kiddiwinks respectively at time of writing, but prices are set to increase on 1 September. At time of writing, LCS seems to be sold out, but Kiddiwinks shows a number in stock.

I would highly recommend buying this set – it will be nice a collaboration for parents and children to build and enjoy.

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40649 Iconic Up-Scaled Minifigure Review

Review by Brett Thomas (SAFOLs Members, CapeLUG Members)

When I first saw the release pictures of this set a few months ago I know it was a must add to my collection. I am a mad minifigure collector and this fits perfectly in my collection and new size for display. It retails for R 879.00 currently exclusive to LCS stores.

The box is a flip top type like some of the Art sets and that allows for easy opening and little damage should you want to keep the box. The box contains the instruction manual, and bags numbered 1 to 5. There are no stickers, a huge plus in my view. The set contains 654 parts, with the blue dome for the cap being unique to this set. The 4 head yellow outside bow (4 x 6) pieces are only found in this set and the Pirate figure that is exclusive to the LEGO® House in Billund.

The bags are very minifig part specific. Bag 1 is for the torso and hips. Bag 2 builds both legs. Bag 3 the arms and hands. Bag 4 the head and bag 5 the peak cap.

The first 2 notable things about the figure from the pictures on the box and manual is firstly it uses the standard red and blue minifigure with the first minifig head basic smile and eye print. Secondly the cap looks a bit strange and odd shaped (more about this later). I really like the colour choice as this is the one, I associate with the “birth” of this version of the minifig in 1978.

The torso build uses a combination of slopes and a very clever middle to recreate the minifig torso shape perfectly. This clever shape is achieved by using the 1 x 2 technic brick with 2 holes raised by 2 bricks high on top of a 1 x 4 technic brick with 3 holes. The sides are attached via pins creating the slope of the torso. The torso uses 2 different size red wall elements which reduces part count and weight. Two technic cross axles are left protruding from the torso to attach the arms.

The hips are snot constructed using angle plates to attach the build and 2 more cross axles to attach the legs. The hips are mostly built “upside down and attached to a flipped torso using 1 x 2 plates with vertical tubes to join the two pieces. The legs are built next and are simply constructed mainly using bricks and tiles. The genius in my view is the clever use of two 2 x 8 plates with holes placed in the leg hollows to join them to the hips. The 1 x 2 x 1 bricks with 4 knobs as used in the Brickheadz are used to connect the bow pieces that create the curve on top of each leg.

Next are the arms and hands. The arms are great examples of LEGO® maths at work as the use of corner plates and tiles perfectly recreate the arm bend angle with no flimsiness at all. There is a technic pin used to attach the hands. Each hand consists of 10 parts and in my view does create the shape of the minifig hand reasonably well. A round brick with cross is used to attach the hand to the arm.

Bag build the head and from a design view, probably the most difficult to match the minifig head shape of all the parts. The centre is a combination of technic frames, angle plates and bricks to build up the core of the head. An interesting use of the black mudguard 2 x 4 piece to attach the big head bow pieces. A combination of slopes and bows are used to mimic the curve at the bottom of the head. The eyes and smile are printed on 1 of the yellow bow pieces. The top of the head has 2 2 x 4 plates with 2 knobs (a big jumper plate in my terms) to connect the cap.

Last is the cap, this is probably the most controversial part of this build as the shape of the peak and alignment to the top is not perfect, but in my view the finished model looks way better than the pictures and perfectly acceptable. The build of the base of the peak is another snot build, which is built like a wall and then tipped over. The arches and bows added to the top of this “wall” create the brim of the peak. The dome simply clips onto the built base.

There is a small mini build that fits inside the dome, which is a series of gears and levers, with some printed dial parts. There is a minifigure in the same attire with can be placed in the mini build to “drive” the brain of the built figure. This for me is a really cool addition to this build.

Overall, this was a build I really enjoyed with some clever techniques to create joins and shapes. The figure stands 27 cm high and is very sturdy and poseable. The legs, arms, hands, and head move in the same way as a minifigure. This is an excellent recreation at a bigger scale and a worthy addition to any minifigure collection.

This set will offer a reasonable opportunity for customisation. In doing some research this construction of the legs, arms and torso of the buildable Harry and Hermione use the same build and are the same size. Check out @pixelogre on Instagram for a recreation of the toy soldier minifigure using this set as the base, a truly excellent customisation.

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10305 Lion Knights’ Castle Review

Reviewed by Angelina Yonekura (SAFOLs Member, CapeLUG Member)

For Christmas in 1984, as a kid, I received the King’s Castle, my first ever LEGO set. With four horses and 14 minifigures the possibilities were endless but typically the red guys vs. the blue guys. 2013 was the last time a castle or kingdom theme set has been released by LEGO. The 10305 Lion Knights Castle commemorates LEGO’s 90th anniversary.  4514 pieces designed by Mike Psiaki, Milan Madge, and Ashwin Visser.

The two instruction manuals contain a history of the castle kingdom theme, visually describing the evolution and history of these sets to the current lion knights’ castle. There are 35 bags in 26 building sections, and an unnumbered 36th bag holds larger plates and thankfully no stickers. The time it took me to build was approximately 15 ½ hours although I had modified the walls to include more plants. I did not grasp the size of this set even looking at the bags until it was built and then the wow factor kicks in.

For any child or adult who loves the medieval times of knights on horses, fighting epic battles, this is the set that would impress them. This is a very large and well-rounded and equipped set. The various new pieces and techniques including angles and snot techniques truly benefit any LEGO fan.

Minifigures include Lion Knights, Forest men, a few Black Falcon knights, a wizard and peasantry. Queen Lionne with her fully decked assemble and horse is ready for battle and probably one of my favorites. She is escorted by an all-female Queen’s guard thus changing what used to be an all-male tradition.  A change between the older Lion Knights and Black Falcon’s is the leg design adding trip and chainmail improving the level of minifigure detail. One Black Falcon minifigure is reminiscent of the Monty Python and Holy Grail squire with the coconuts and had they added a coconut to his already heavy pack it would have been a great easter egg. I do wish they had used the older helmets with chin guard (3896) from the 1980 to early 1990’s for the Black Falcons. Maybe a bit of nostalgia but those were featured in in black and dark grey in earlier versions of Black Falcons.

Unique angles and section of the castle walls. It separates in two parts and needs to be as large as it is. Only issue is connection between both very large and heavy sections are just 2 modified 1×1 open clip. The issue I have found is if the alignment is not just right it won’t connect, and they easily disconnect with the slightest movement. Small modification of adding two clips would assist if it became an issue.

The waterwheel turns a gristmill with all the gears moving realistically and a sack of grain. There is even a medieval privy with a roll of toilet paper. Indoor stable at the gate, and a dungeon where the skeleton roams. There are stalls in the open section of the castle featuring food and lots of flowers and creeping ivy over an archway. The balcony by the waterwheel has an amazing sliding feature that slides in and out of a castle wall when you open it and incorporates hinges to bend when you close the castle section making a square balcony. There are so many hidden details like the birds’ nets, forest men hideout, and various side rooms and features it makes the build entertaining and fun.

The kitchen is complete with an oven and a section with various foods and containers and a flowing water feature looking like flowing water. The kid’s playroom has a yellow castle most likely a designer nod to the 1978 Classic Castle (375/6075) in yellow.

Pros: The kitchen is by far the best room in the castle. An orange/red light brick would have made an exceptional addition in the fireplace. Weapons are not lacking in this set from the armory located in the portcullis room, above the storeroom, and on the walls in the hidden Forest men room. There is enough to equip the peasantry if needed to save the castle. The angles in the castle, some connected by ball joints, and various wedge usage, create a lot of excitement with challenging and new techniques.  This set comes with a wonderful assortment of 22 minifigures (including a skeleton), a cow, lamb, bird, various frogs and two horses. Arched windows and the thatched roof are some of the most impressive techniques I have seen in regard to roof builds. Unlike the tiles on the blacksmith these give texture and variation of colors making it visibly appealing.
 
Misses: The wizard Magisto is simply welcome but completely plain with no printing unlike most of the detailed printing on the 21 other minifigures. Even in an earlier set he had a belt with a moneybag which had been a consistent feature in prior editions.  Bell tower is a big miss featuring a pear gold bell but hidden behind a small window unlike most bell towers with large arched openings. The kitchen, while my favourite room in the castle, lacks light and you do miss some of the detail as it can get very dark.
There are a lot of discussions about the ramp. It feels incomplete, and the long slopes with limited studded surfaces inhibit placing any horses or minifigures on most of it. The designers take great care to round the walls and add great window features, but this feels as if they have forgotten about this section.

Personal wishes: Honestly in a castle this huge you would think there would be a throne room but instead there is a room with a harpsichord or kids’ playroom. Personally, I modified it to have a creeping vine with SNOT bricks, but various other options would help break up the wall of the same color. Brick on brick of light blue grey intermixed with masonry bricks while welcoming for variation there are much more techniques and options out there. Would love if additional sets include more horses with various barding. Overall, this was a very welcomed for old castle fans like me.

Value for money: At R6500 it is on the higher end cost wise and cost per brick is not great for the variety of pieces, but this is balanced with the experience and nostalgia for the adult castle theme fans.

Name: Lion Knights’ Castle

Set#: 10305

Theme: LEGO Icons

Cost: Official LEGO store R6,499.00

Brick Count: 4514 pcs, 21 minifigures, 1 skeleton, 1 cow, 1 baby sheep, 2 horses

Unique pieces: Inverted 2×2 curved slopes in Reddish Brown (1750), 2×3 plate modified rock/claw fingers in nougat (27261), 10 different shield designs some classic with a few multiples of the Lion Knights shields. Cloth flags (100731, 1000728). There are some color changes, but my personal favorite is the cow (64452pb01c01),

Size: Closed 38cm high, 44cm wide

Minifigures: Release Date: August 8, 2022