Review: 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck
Posted by CapnRex101,The amazing machines inhabiting Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel provide exceptional source material for LEGO, balancing mechanical details and organic shaping. 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck captures those important design features beautifully.
Moreover, clever presentation further increases the display potential of this majestic creation, which has attracted near-universal praise since its unveiling! That certainly seems deserved, particularly given the addition of an appealing minifigure and the remarkably inexpensive price. Hopefully this design satisfies expectations.
Summary
76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck, 1,222 pieces.
£79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99 | 6.5p/7.4c/7.4c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Among models of this size, the Tallneck provides unmatched display value!
- Spectacular display model
- Impressive accuracy
- Attractive base
- Outstanding minifigure
- Limited articulation
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
While the Tallneck is paramount, the accompanying Aloy minifigure looks absolutely fantastic. The video games' protagonist appears immediately recognisable here, sporting her distinctive outcast clothing. Colourful beads decorate her torso and Aloy's printed skirt looks authentic as well, integrating details which a fabric component could not.
The double-sided head also closely resembles Aloy's onscreen appearance, displaying subtle freckles. However, my favourite feature is this unique hair element, which is made from rubber and features lovely texture. The elaborate braids appear perfectly accurate and the absence of highlights representing hair clasps is excusable, since printing easily rubs off rubbery parts.
This component also includes a dual-moulded trans-light blue ring, surrounding Aloy's Focus. The character wears this sensory interface to interact with machines and identify items in her environment, so its inclusion is important. The printed arms are excellent too, including bands around the shoulders and textured bracers on Aloy's forearms.
Aloy carries her bow, appearing in white for the first time, alongside a brick-built spear. While a dedicated element may have achieved greater accuracy, I think this accessory looks great. The vibrant details reflect adornments from the original weapon, including a blue flower which is only otherwise available in 21180 The Guardian Battle.
The Completed Model
As expected, 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck looks absolutely spectacular on display, closely resembling the source material and benefiting from lovely colour. The contrast between the organic base and the mechanised creature is remarkably effective and I think the Tallneck's proud stance has been realised, which is important because the articulation is very limited.
The structure measures 35cm in height, including the base. That is considerably smaller than accurate minifigure-scale, but is definitely sufficient to convey the majestic size of the Tallneck. Furthermore, the size avoids completely overshadowing details on the base, which could have vanished into obscurity if the Tallneck was overwhelmingly huge.
LEGO models frequently include elaborate bases, especially since the introduction of the 18+ range. However, few examples can rival this oval design! The curving shape looks marvellous and I think the designer, Isaac Snyder, has captured suitable vibrancy. Various terrains appear during the game, but this combination of green, dark tan and light bluish grey is attractive.
The internal construction involves building in four directions, before plates are laid across the bricks with studs on the side. The resultant structure feels robust and the black edge appears impressive, especially when viewed from a distance as straight edges blend into a continuous curve. There are visible differences between the edges of this base and the terrain, but I think some variation was unavoidable.
Numerous machines appear throughout Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, the smallest of which are Watchers. These reconnaissance robots are similar in height to humans and the LEGO equivalent therefore looks brilliant beside minifigures, recreating the distinctive dinosaur-like gait associated with Watchers and including ample articulation.
Additionally, the sand green and orange highlights compare favourably with the video games and I think the balance between white armour and black synthetic muscle seems appropriate. Three different 1x1 round plates are provided for the Watcher's eye, recreating their changing colours as the machine scans its environment or encounters opposition.
These games take place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where some contemporary technology remains. The base accordingly includes a rusting traffic light among the vegetation. I am glad the designer managed to acknowledge that feature of the setting, despite the limited available space surrounding the Tallneck. The dark green 21L flexible cable wrapped around this traffic light is new in that colour.
An attractive birch tree provides further height to the base, featuring autumnal flame yellowish orange and yellow leaves. This tree closely resembles the version which accompanied 10270 Bookshop, albeit substantially smaller. Nevertheless, the white trunk remains intact and takes advantage of the slits in these Technic connectors, recreating the pores inherent to birch trees.
Technic pins anchor the Tallneck to the base, presenting the Tallneck at an angle, that seems quite natural. Fortunately, the Technic pins blend perfectly with this surface and the machine's feet rest securely on the ground. These are significantly simplified as the Tallneck should have thirteen toes, but three is sufficient to recreate their splayed position.
The model stands on four narrow legs, faithfully recreating the proportions of these machines during the games. However, prioritising accuracy has limited articulation. The hips and ankles can move, but they are intended to remain static. I think this was the correct decision because including additional joints could easily affect the appearance of the model, although I think the chosen pose somewhat lacks dynamism.
Sand blue and tan panels complement the predominantly white armour, further corresponding with the original Tallnecks. The angle of the body also looks superb and numerous details from the games are visible, including cylindrical power cells on either flank. The golden handgrips on each thigh are welcome too, where Aloy can be displayed as though climbing the Tallneck.
Plates and tiles are sufficient to recreate most features of the Tallneck, but twelve stickers are included. While most decorate the head, some are applied on the machine's back and display accurate mechanical detail, as expected. Light bluish grey snowboards form unique structures that extend from the Tallneck's back, again matching the robotic source material.
As the name suggests, the Tallneck's most distinguishing feature is an elongated neck which resembles a giraffe. This whole structure is assembled in layers and fixed to the body using a single Technic axle. The neck feels perfectly stable and includes five golden antennas, formed with Uruk-Hai swords and often used when Aloy climbs the Tallnecks. One antenna is missing, where the Tallneck has suffered damage.
Perhaps equally distinctive is the Tallneck's disc-shaped head. Several brackets are combined with curved slopes and bricks with studs on the side to recreate this unusual shape and I think the result looks excellent. Several stickers are applied around the sides and two are placed on top, but the design is certainly not excessively reliant upon stickers.
In fact, the construction has allowed the designer to include scattered orange highlights, while ingots and 2x3 pentagonal tiles provide texture. Additionally, the trans-red 1x1 round tile at the centre looks good, representing the data node, where Aloy can retrieve map information during the game. The stickered cables appear less effective, in my opinion.
Four antenna are connected to the head using ball joints, permitting limited movement. Once again, their proportions are splendid and I like the golden 4L bar placed between them, which originates from the original Tallnecks. Impressive detail continues on the underside of the disc, taking full advantage of the head construction by including studs on the top and bottom.
Overall
76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck succeeds in every regard! This model demonstrates incredible accuracy to the video game and achieves tremendous display value. The base is particularly decisive in that success, including bright colours and contrasting with the robotic Tallneck, which enhances the machine's appearance too.
The exclusive Aloy minifigure features comparable detail and closely resembles the onscreen character, while the price of £69.99, $79.99 or €79.99 represents remarkable value, taking the size and quality of this model into consideration. I would therefore highly recommend the set, even to those unfamiliar with Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Forbidden West.
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69 comments on this article
Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship tallneck head....
Man what a great set. It looks amazing, has some really clever parts usage, and the price is fantastic. I really hope they keep doing more of these display sets in the same vein - most importantly, with a price tag closer to this one than to the Star Wars ones!
Instabuy, this is amazing.
I don't know anything about the video game, but this is an elegant and well-designed model.
@vizzitor said:
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship tallneck head...."
it's continuing mission: to explore strange new lands, to seek out robotic life and new civilizations, to boldly go where Tallneck has gone before!
*cue music*
That round disc head thing makes me sad Lego can't/won't/don't do Star Trek sets... so much oppertunity and scope. Would be an instant money maker. Shame...
I am so excited to pick this up when it is available. Just waiting (Im)patiently for it to release. Horizon Zero Dawn is one of my all time favorite video games, and I can’t wait to have this displayed on my shelf .
I have to say, it looks incredible. I hope to see more sets based on H:FW as it seems an awsome game!
I am always baffled by the fact that a blue flower or a green vine piece is "new in this color", ... I mean, why? This looks like the primary function of that piece, about time we get them in that color!
Wonderful set and a very nice review, thank you.
I love the original game, although I’m super sad it’s not available on Nintendo, so this is a really great set
Great photography and review! Really looking forward to picking this one up and may have a go at building some other machines to go with it.
I understand why this is branded Forbidden West, but it feels incongruous considering the terrain is clearly from the first Tallneck encounter in Zero Dawn.
Would love to see more sets from Horizon. A Thunderjaw with detachable disc launchers that can be held by a minifigure would be awesome.
A licensed set putting in-house themes to shame with its price. What a baffling time.
Quite a beautiful set at a great price!
Most likely buying this set. It looks so dope, even if you don't know the game
Amazing set at what seems to be a great price........too bad I have no idea what it is or what its from. it really does look fantastic though. looks like a fun build too.
Don’t know anything about this but I love it
That minifig has a ridiculous amount of detail
I don't play the Horizon games but I love that Traffic Light, and I could possibly use the techniques from the Watchers(?) for a BRAD X
Our favorite game in our house, both HZD and HFW - may need to get two or three to keep the crew happy
I'm just one cauldron left to finish Forbidden West (currently finishing all the side quests) and this will be a 'rapid' acquisition. I've only ever bought one set on day one and it was the Saturn V. I am definitely not a minifig collector but I must recognize that this one is exceptionally detailed and accurate. Of course I'd like the tallneck to be about twice as high as this but this is sufficient for now and I also want to send the message to Lego to produce more stuff like that - maybe we'll get better/bigger models later on if this is popular.
I also believe this will look just fine without any stickers applied - Like ideas sets, there should not be any stickers on set like that (by that I mean display models).
Oh I cannot wait to add this magnificent set to my collection.
Sorry CapnRex, I skipped the review as I already know I want this (I promise I'll read it after I've built it). Fantastic game, great model.
@Lordmoral said:
"Oh I cannot wait to add this magnificent set to my collection."
I often have this problem when I post a comment and it does not show right away in Brickset.
Now I always copy my comment before posting and if it does not show right away, I refresh the browser before trying to post again - this avoids sending several times the same content.
I admit I haven't got a clue about the source material, but this set somehow looks highly fascinating. Quite good value too.
Beautiful set. The chosen pose reflects the fact that this is more of an adult collectible and is supposed to look good on someone's mantle or desk: ergo, the lack of articulation is not a concern.
I googled the game based upon this set, and it actually looks interesting!
Although I normally say I prefer non-licensed lego products, this is a good example of a good licensing partnership, an interesting, unique set with an unusual design and good details. Hope to see more like this!
Very cool to see this magnificent machine in Lego form! They even included a bit of landscape, which I really appreciate as a landscape artist :)
I just can't get over how affordably priced it is for a licensed set.
Will definitely be getting this superb piece of abstract art (whatever it's based on)!
I know nothing of the source material. But I'd say they captured the essence quite well. I love new figures, so would otherwise consider getting them, but with the expense and exclusivity of the set, I can only imagine she will go for a pretty penny in the aftermarket, so I'll have to skip it altogether. But it looks really neat otherwise. If money wasn't tight this year, I'd consider just picking it up for the fun of it.
I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen.
What a great set. The lack of articulation doesn’t really bother me since the Tallneck has no signature “moves” that need to be replicated. It’s primary function, of walking around a specified perimeter…that look is captured in the set. You (as Aloy) climb the thing (it’s over twice as tall in the game) several times in game so the hook is “how am I getting up on this one?”
You’ve seen this before if you ever played Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry and had to climb a radio tower or Eagle’s Nest. Each one is progressively more difficult to climb but they reveal more areas of the map.
I think that’s the only thing I might have wanted on this model. A kind of 3-in-1 type rebuildability where you could create progressively more difficult versions of the Tallneck…similar though more complex than the three lights for the Watcher, which is also extremely cool. Green for “everything’s groovy”, yellow for “watch yer arse” and red for “shut the front door”!!
But that’s a fantastic stretch of a nitpick…the set as-is is spectacular to me. Hits every single one of my inner check boxes.
@blogzilly said:
"but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
It's also available on PC.
@strangeworld said:
" @blogzilly said:
"but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
It's also available on PC."
Not available for the Atari 2600 VCS, so well out of my video gaming era!
@strangeworld said:
" @blogzilly said:
"but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
It's also available on PC."
The spirit of what I wrote, simply, was that Horizon is one of Sony’s, like Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man, Last of Us…while HALO, Call of Duty, Forza, etc are X-Box…but yes…PC gamers typically have access to these console exclusives at the same time or soon after launch.
The story behind the game this set is based upon is breathtaking in every way. An instant sci-fi classic, and the best game I have ever played start to finish in my 49 solar rotations. I absolutely cannot wait to add 2x copies of this set to my collection. A masterpiece set for a masterpiece game.
Haven't even played the games, but I'm still definitely gonna buy this. It looks fantastic!
I'm one of the many that know absolutely nothing about this game and had literally never heard of it before the unveiling of this set, but it looks mighty cool. I might just get it for that reason alone....
As for why I (and many others) never heard of it? Well, I'm not a gamer anymore myself and none of my friends are, and this is a relatively recent franchise, only 5 years old. This is not (yet?) like Super Mario or GTA, with a few decades of history and expanded well beyond just the (nowadays massive) game world. Where should we have seen this, what should we have known this from?
@blogzilly said:
"I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
Nah it's just traditional "I'm too good for the mainstream" proclamations of ignorance. Happens a lot.
It's a nice set with excellent pricing, but not sure if I'm sold if it's good for people who're not familiar with the game (generally speaking, I'm sure few will like it). With no context, it's a weird looking MOC.
Never played the game, but I'm still tempted to get this, mainly for the minifig (I have a thing for freckled redheads) and the gold swords.
My biggest complaint is that there isn't an entire theme for this game.
The set looks fantastic and will be a day one buy for sure.
I know nothing of the game this is sourced from (not a Playstation user), but this looks excellent. It could have been an Ideas set or from a movie or TV show. Very cool to see something outside of the typical building or vessel builds.
@MisterBrickster said:
" @blogzilly said:
"I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
Nah it's just traditional "I'm too good for the mainstream" proclamations of ignorance. Happens a lot.
"
Eh, I think in this case it's more of a qualifier for their praise. This is an impressive model even without knowledge of the source material, and that's worth noting.
@Mandalorian6285 said:
"ONE MINIFIGURE??
I just wanna' say I have no idea what the world this is, but it looks cool. Minifigure is good as well, but there's just one. Maybe there was an apocalypse, the robot killed everyone, except the girl because she found a screwdriver and messed with the programming? Oh yeah and then she finds a robot doggy, which saves her after the robot tries to kill her, but then....
you know what, whatever. "
None of what you theorized is accurate. I don’t blame you for not knowing the game, but just look up its premise!
As for the Aloy minifigure, I’m calling her as a top contender for Brickset’s Favorite-Minifigure-of-2022, if not the winner.
I’d never heard of the game until this set was announced. The set looked great so I downloaded the original game… it’s really great! I’ll obviously be buying the set as well. Hopefully there’s enough interest to make a few more sets from the IP.
I don’t think anyone on here is a giant HZD fan so bear with me as someone who hasn’t gotten far— I think the apocalypse part of the base is based on the first Tallneck you find in “Demon’s Nest” or whatever the city is called. Assuming I can put more time into Horizon Zero Dawn after beating Skywalker Saga and Uncharted 4 I might get this set, it looks amazing. Given that I’ve been getting less and less LEGO stuff, though (half of my recent collection is just sets my brother got) I doubt I’ll buy this until after I get Forbidden West, which I intend to at some point or other. They’ve nailed basically every detail, although the circle around Aloy’s focus should probably be translucent blue or purple to reflect its look in the game— unless the sequel changes the glow color and I wasn’t made aware of that.
@TheOtherMike Lol nice, one of my OCs is also a (slightly) freckled redhead and my parents have said Aloy looks like her before. This was back in 2019, though— her design has changed a bit but I have a custom Minifigure of her on display. If only I could include images in comments but I don’t think anyone cares about this. :P
I'm a huge Horizon series fan, (Zero Dawn, Frozen Wilds, and Forbidden West)! And since people seem unable to internet, if you've read this far... YouTube link here for the original game breakdown in 10 minutes:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qtytPUy_Q2s
Is this relatively cheap so as to get people more interested in the game?
Star Wars, etc. are hugely popular, so Lego has to pay Disney a license fee.
This game seems relatively unknown, so perhaps the publishers are looking for publicity and have not charged (such a big) fee.
The technique does seem to work: even I Googled "Horizon Tallneck", and I'm totally uninterested in video games.
Will I buy it? I don't know, but I did end up buying one of those strange hamster-driven rolling/ walking tanks, and it's still there on the shelves somewhere.
I love everything about this set.
@Mandalorian6285 said:
"ONE MINIFIGURE??
I just wanna' say I have no idea what the world this is, but it looks cool. Minifigure is good as well, but there's just one. Maybe there was an apocalypse, the robot killed everyone, except the girl because she found a screwdriver and messed with the programming? Oh yeah and then she finds a robot doggy, which saves her after the robot tries to kill her, but then....
you know what, whatever. "
The funny thing is that this is actually very close to the premise of another game for a competing video game console (and PC): ReCore. There wasn't just one robot, there wasn't a screwdriver, and there were a handful of other survivors, but there was an apocalypse, a girl, and a robot doggy.
@blogzilly said:
"I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…"
I'm probably not the best source for video game knowledge anyway, but as there are thousands of games for all kinds of platforms, I would imagine one can't be familiar with all of them.
The little free time I can devote to video gaming of any kind I usually use to fly around in MS Flight Simulator, or do some retro gaming like one of the original Command&Conquer games, or even better still, pull out my Commodore 128D for some Maniac Mansion, Defender of the Crown, Impossible Mission, Bruce Lee, Bubble Bobble, or the Great Giana Sisters ;-)
Hey this must be a new Avat... oh it's not.
I'm not in to modern video games but I think this is a beautiful design and MF.
@Pongo said:
"Is this relatively cheap so as to get people more interested in the game?
Star Wars, etc. are hugely popular, so Lego has to pay Disney a license fee.
This game seems relatively unknown, so perhaps the publishers are looking for publicity and have not charged (such a big) fee.
The technique does seem to work: even I Googled "Horizon Tallneck", and I'm totally uninterested in video games.
Will I buy it? I don't know, but I did end up buying one of those strange hamster-driven rolling/ walking tanks, and it's still there on the shelves somewhere."
The game is not relatively unknown- both games have been phenomenal successes and been critically acclaimed.
I think its just a perfect game world to build lego sets, and another untapped adult market for lego to draw in new fans
Yeah, the first game has already sold somewhere north of 20 million copies: it's not remotely obscure if you follow the video games industry. Anyway, I think this a cool set, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy the game so I'm probably going to pass. Hopefully this is a sign that Lego is willing and able to do more game-based sets, because I really want something from Zelda.
Well, there is a whole grey area between "obscure" and a game that everyone and their grandma knows....
I haven't played this game but I like this set. I'll probably redesign its head to create a sauropod-like mechanical creature.
@MisterBrickster said:
" @blogzilly said:
"I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
Nah it's just traditional "I'm too good for the mainstream" proclamations of ignorance. Happens a lot."
The newest video game I've played is Super Paper Mario on the Wii, vintage 2007. I don't play video games, it's just not my thing. I imagine many others are in the same boat.
@WesterBricks said:
" @MisterBrickster said:
" @blogzilly said:
"I’m surprised, though I should not be, at how many people don’t know the source material…but when we’re talking a video game that is exclusive to PlayStation, that’s gonna happen."
Nah it's just traditional "I'm too good for the mainstream" proclamations of ignorance. Happens a lot."
The newest video game I've played is Super Paper Mario on the Wii, vintage 2007. I don't play video games, it's just not my thing. I imagine many others are in the same boat."
I wasn't worried about you :p "I don't know what this is but it's neat" is fine. It's the people who proclaim that because they don't know about something it must be obscure that get my goat.
The original video game was advertised on every billboard in my city when it came out, it's one of the flagship properties for Sony. It would be like boasting that you'd never heard of Mario in the SNES days.
@sipuss said:
"A licensed set putting in-house themes to shame with its price. What a baffling time."
To be fair, it's also putting other licensed themes to shame.
to be able to create fantastical structures and creatures is exactly what LEGO is all about so I'm not sure why there are folks trying to justify buying this without knowing the IP.
Aloy is instantly recognisable and I would go as far too say one of the best minifigures I have seen to date.
I'm also not into video games. I don't have the time, and unfortunately I've seen the havoc their addictive nature can cause. I used to enjoy them as a younger lad, and I do appreciate the Lego designs that have come from them (Overwatch, Mario, Sonic, and Horizon). Most of them seem to have especially good value. I really like one, and will get it.
It's the perfect set for gamers and LEGO fans alike. Horizon ZD is one of my favourite RPG games I played and the theme fit's great with TLG's values.
I wish something similar from more successful RPG series like The Elder Scrolls, Witcher or Fallout would come out too, even though I don't see much hope because of the violent nature of those games. But Zelda BotW would fit perfectly and is long overdue and requested by fans.
Tapping into the gaming industry is probably one of the smartest things LEGO did, they just have to pick out games that are still popular (e.g. not Overwatch).
On the one hand, that hair is fantastic and dual molding in hair is rare/unique so it’s surprising to see Lego pushing things here
On the other hand, the focus means the hairpiece is difficult to reuse in Mocs. Maybe they could have just printed the focus on her face?
Absolute Day One purchase for me. It will be $129 in Australia and I'll happily pay it. Thanks for a terrific review. I really hope that we see some more of this amazing world as official sets. Some of the Community built ones are amazing already, but I really would love to see a settlement diorama.
And Sylens.... We need Sylens.
@pawelg said:
"Not my cup of tea for sure."
Obviously, it's a LEGO set
Even without any knowledge of the game, this set has proven to be quite attractive to me.
@Mandalorian6285 said:
"ONE MINIFIGURE??
I just wanna' say I have no idea what the world this is, but it looks cool. Minifigure is good as well, but there's just one. Maybe there was an apocalypse, the robot killed everyone, except the girl because she found a screwdriver and messed with the programming? Oh yeah and then she finds a robot doggy, which saves her after the robot tries to kill her, but then....
you know what, whatever. "
If I remember correctly (I never played it but watched my brother play) there's not many people roaming around. There is like a village with people but the main character is an out cast, so not a ton of humans are roaming around.
I'm really looking forward to this one and hope it's successful enough to encourage them to do a couple others.