Review: 11021 90 Years of Play

Truly something for everyone!

As much as the nostalgia appeals to me, I agree that the designs are too simplified to interest me in purchasing this set.

I look forward to seeing what other 90th Anniversary sets they come up with, though!

I think what you’re calling a skirt on the Fabuland elephant is meant to represent the arms…

LEGO Classic introduced numbered bags for the featured models starting in 2021 with 11013 and 11016, and then 11014 and 11015, which was a surprising and welcome feature. Lets you jump-start with the models immediately and easily before having to dump out all the bricks at once which is especially helpful for the larger sets such as this (1100 pcs) and 11016 (1200 pcs), and the latter is still an option.

This may be the last time we'll see bags of such a beautiful rainbow of bricks in a Classic set if the preliminary lifestyle photos of the paper bag trial with 10698 are any indication. Soon it'll be guesswork as to which bags contain which colors!

This is the second Classic set to include a teal brick separator; the first was 11013. Of the 15 sets featured, I own only Tahu, and decided against getting the Friendship House, as I sadly couldn't afford to build Heartlake City for myself. Realistically, I'll be parting this set out like any other Classic set, but I'll be building Tahu, the Friendship House, and one custom model based on a different nostalgic set, a set I acquired very, very recently. The designer George Gilliatt has seen and knows exactly which one I'm building: https://twitter.com/GeorgeGilliatt/status/1518269618145710082

Too bad the yellow castle doesn't hinge open like the one in 10717/11717 does!

"This is my favourite model in the set, although why he's wearing a skirt is a mystery..."
Elton's not wearing a skirt; the slopes represent his arms. The real question is why he's wearing yellow leggings and the parasol is white.

"The essence of the model has been captured, but it's very blocky."
I don't really understand why this was noted for the Black Seas Barracuda in particular, when it really isn't any blockier than any of the other builds. My only criticism is that the stripes are horizontal instead of vertical, but that's because it's much easier to stack them horizontally than vertically given that way they're being supported, but the essence of the red and white stripes is indeed there.

"Personally, I'm not sure about this one: would you know what it was supposed to be if seen outside the context of this set?"
Tahu's instantly recognizable to any Bionicle fan. Can't say the same for those who didn't grow up with the theme, but I think you'll find it's fairly similar with any other theme when asking those who aren't familiar with said theme.

"The models themselves are simple and blocky, and I understand that they have to be in a 5+ set, but I can't help wondering how much more interesting it would have been with an 18+ age recommendation."
Welp, not a can of worms I want to open up. Piece count? Color choice? Number of colors? Quantity of elements in each PCC (already a long-standing issue with Classic sets)? Never mind the complexity of the builds themselves (and how many of them per set?). There's a lot to unpack here. Not to mention how many of these models would appeal to all AFOLs, giving question as to its value proposition (PPP, the greatest measure for brick boxes IMO)? I really think this was best as a Classic set for a new generation of would-be LEGO fans, with simpler and more accessible builds. I think AFOLs would prefer more focused builds. I'm intrigued for what's coming next.

As for why they chose 8043 to represent Technic, I can only weigh in to say that this is my favorite Technic set of all time.
Guess I'm not the only one... :-)

"Personally, I'm not sure about this one: would you know what it was supposed to be if seen outside the context of this set?"

Well, I think most people with a remote interest in Bionicle would recognize it, yes. In case you've missed the storm of fanart and creations sparked by this little guy, here is a fun little video to get you into the loop: https://youtu.be/RTRgrXOIBWU :D

@Exetrius said:
""Personally, I'm not sure about this one: would you know what it was supposed to be if seen outside the context of this set?"

Well, I think most people with a remote interest in Bionicle would recognize it, yes. In case you've missed the storm of fanart and creations sparked by this little guy, here is a fun little video to get you into the loop: https://youtu.be/RTRgrXOIBWU :D"

Magnificent

Be fair, though. The updated Tahu design looks more like an angry person holding a flare.

Proof you can't make a Bionicle set out of proper Lego?

And it does seem a bit harsh to give a negative for the set being suitable for it's target age range!

This one definitely appeals to me, and that printed hieroglyphic column is a cherry on top!

One thing I don’t think I saw mentioned is leftover pieces - if there were a few, perhaps a negative of the set would be that more miniature versions of models could be provided in the set.

dont disrespect my boy Thu like that! hes cute

I personally instantly recognize Tahu, even though without the spark it caused within the community it wouldn’t be as special as it is. The flaming sword and actually very accurate (albeit simplified) color blocking are very recognizable to an average Bionicle fan.

Also, my gosh what an atrocious build that excavator is! It looks nothing like the original set and doesn’t even remotely resemble anything Technic to me, the inconsistent colors and horrible build are just disgusting to look at. If my kid made that I’d be proud, but that’s not how an official set should be designed. Golden dragon looks a bit derpy too but I don’t mind as much.

@chrisaw said:
"One thing I don’t think I saw mentioned is leftover pieces - if there were a few, perhaps a negative of the set would be that more miniature versions of models could be provided in the set. "

I don't think leftover pieces are a negative in a Classic set usually.

However, since this one is a special 90th anniversary, it certainly would have been nice to have most pieces be used toward more models.

Now my opinion on this set .
Overall, I think the 2018 way of doing those brick-boxes was the best , most had basic minifigs, but also very interesting parts like clips/bars/hinges, wheels, minifig tools, some hair pieces/helmets etc.
10401 : Rainbow Fun (no minifigs but still some parts usually not in Classic set)
10402 : Fun Future
10403 : World Fun
10404 : Ocean's Bottom
10405 : Mission to Mars

Would've been nice to have some basic minifigs or accesoires as leftover of past themes instead of just a random "rainbow" of bricks 1-2 each.

Doesn't need to be special printed character, but some helmets/tools/hairpieces that are in production, like the 2018 sets had.

Woah, can't believe they included Mixels instead of Bionicle lol! Nonetheless it is pretty good. I think they chose the excavator because it's a fan favorite. I would have also loved to see some other themes in this set like Power Miners, Aqua Raiders, Atlantis, Monster Fighters, and Rock Raiders (Power Miners being very important!) though.

"Too simplified"? No. This is exactly what a set titled "90 Years of Play" should be.

Edward.
His name is Edward.
The TV show was named after him.
Edward and Friends.
'Elton'..... I don't think so.

(Love that Bionicle. If they re released all the Bionicles but in that style I'd buy them)

As a Bionicle fan, I assure you, yes. That is definitely Tahu. And I find it more recognizable than some of the other builds in this set.

I couldn’t agree more with the review, and let me add this thought. From a purely product perspective, I’m not entirely sure how aiming this at 5+ makes sense. Kids won’t get a nostalgic rush from these builds. Now, in theory maybe adults playing with their 5+ers would, but that then means that it is conceivable that the adult would have the nostalgia rush…and could easily find the overly simplified models extremely boring.

Which circles me back to…I don’t get how the product age targeting makes sense, but it would make much more sense with slightly more sophisticated builds.

Of all of those, the only ones I own are Galaxy Explorer and Tahu; and my daughter owns Friendship House. This set was made for kids first and collectors second and with that in mind, I say they nailed it. It's not for me, but it's a great set and I may pick one up for my kids as a sort of Lego history lesson. We might even build them as a family and talk about the history of the products--do we know if the manuals are strictly instructions, or do they offer any back story on the models they represent?

Smol Tahu became a meme within the Bionicle community on par with Good Guy overnight. So even though it may not be a real accurate representation of the set, Bionicle fans appreciate it nonetheless.

@Huw several Fabuland folks had different names in different countries. I don't know why. It's not like their original names were hard to pronounce Danish ones
Lisa Lamb was also Bianca, Patrick Pig was Blondi (what sort of name was that?). Poor Gabriel Gorilla even changed breed and was Chester Chimp.
Edward-not-Elton was one the first sets I ever got.

@Atuin said:
"I really like they included a new version of obelisk in the 1998 style. However I wonder why they choose to spell out 'OGEL' on it?"
It's a holdover from 10273, where the villainous Baron Samuel von Barron reportedly kept this obelisk in his manor because its hieroglyphics spelled the most evil thing ever. Which, as Evil Ogel himself explained in an "Ask Redini" answer, is because "OGEL" represents the opposite of everything LEGO stands for.

And it will now be a minimum of nine years, eight months, and two days before @Huwbot can run out of Belville sets.

One of the guys in my LUG was able to scrape together all the parts for Sad Tahu and display him at a show shortly after the set was revealed. He also made Kopaka in the same style.

@TheOtherMike:
Maybe, like how Chima is just post-apocalyptic Fabuland, Mixels is Bionicle after Mata Nui is saved.