Review: 40567 Forest Hideout

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The latest 90th anniversary set is 40567 Forest Hideout, available now at LEGO brand stores and online with purchases of $150 or more. It's an update of the classic 6054 Forestmen's Hideout, and the similarities are striking from the start. While in between sessions at Brickworld Chicago, I built the set and took a closer look at this highly anticipated gift with purchase.

Summary

40567 Forest Hideout, 258 pieces.

A lovely reimagining of a classic set

  • Faithful to the original set
  • Nice use of updated parts
  • Detailed minifigures
  • The cost threshold to obtain is high

The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.

The box art reminds you of the classic set, with set name on a gold banner across the top left corner of the front of the box in the same blue font as was seen on 6054. Inside the box there are four bags (two numbered 1, and two numbered 2), and an instruction book. As would be expected for a classic set, not a sticker sheet in sight.

Like the original, there are two minifigs, both presumably part of the forest band. Alas, there is only one forest hat, and it is only found in this set (to date). The male minifig head is relatively rare, having only been seen twice before, most recently in the Bricklink Castle in the Forest set. The same torso is used for both minifigures and has really nice details with leather stitching and a belt along with some signs of wear on the overlayer. The red undershirt is a nice pop of colour. I do like that the second minifig is a woman and has an appropriate hairpiece, but a part of me wishes that we'd have another forest hat for her instead.

Unfortunately neither minifigure head is double sided, but that does allow us to see the printed detail on the back with wrinkles and dirt smudges.

The target practice from the original is included, albeit with some updated parts.


Completed model

The model comes together quickly, and I was struck with how shiny the black parts were (or maybe that was just the lighting at the convention hall). Like 6054, the model hinges open. The inside is relatively sparse - just a ladder to get to the top level, where a barrel filled with gold awaits.

The outside is very attractive and looks fantastic. It's clear which set this is based on, though the increased foliage used on this set is very much appreciated. I love the addition of the toadstool, and that a very similar emblem is used on the shields. The newer, larger leaf pieces are used to great effect to give a suitable impression that this is in the middle of the forest.

Closed up, the model looks attractive from every angle. I'll admit I got a wave of nostalgia when adding the little tree at the base - it took me back to sets I built coming out of my dark ages, and I think I've only seen them recently in the winter village series.

I really enjoy how the tower takes on a much more rounded shape thanks to parts that have been created since the original set.


Overall thoughts

This is a very faithful representation of 6054, and a lovely little set. For Castle enthusiasts (and I am one) it's a great addition to the collection, especially if you don't have the original (I just saw the prices on Bricklink - yikes). I like that there is a female minifigure included (even if there isn't a second forest hat), and I love some of the new details included, like the mushroom.

I like that with this refresh, the designer did not try to tamper with the colour palette - the colours are the same, and I like seeing the tower in black. The blue roof is a great distinguishing feature of the set.

My only reservation on this set is that it's a high price point for a gift with purchase. However, Castle fans have been clamouring for more sets forever, so I expect that this will sell out quickly.

36 comments on this article

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By in France,

Thank you for this review,
I hope the positive feedback lego receives for this set will inspire them to bring this amazing theme back to life!!!

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By in United Kingdom,

Agree that a second hat would be nice, even to switch out with the hair line they sometimes do with helmets, but this is a great love letter to an old theme.

I only wish these occasional remakes would continue and not just for the 90th anniversary. Not necessarily a new theme, but a throwback ‘Legends’ line like they’ve done previously featuring sets from all different themes would be great.

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By in United States,

Just think, with Lego raising prices on sets it'll be even easier to hit that $150 threshold!

Kidding aside, the set looks lovely and I'm glad I'll be getting several. I own the original Forest Hideout and for some reason it's still in its unopened box. I totally forgot I had it until I found it again in 2008.

Lego has done an excellent job with the limited number of Castle sets they've come out with recently.

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By in Netherlands,

Thanks for the review
Nice mixture of old look and the use of new parts.
Sadly they haven´t brought back the old whips.
To spend or not to spend €150 that is the question.

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By in United States,

"The newer, larger leaf pieces are used to great effect"

There are more of the large leaf/foliage piece than in the original, but it was in that one too...

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By in United Kingdom,

Interesting to point out that spending £149.99 on, eg: Optiums Prime or Starry Night will not be enough for Lego... they want that extra penny before you qualify for this Forest Hideout.

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By in United Kingdom,

The forest hats recently appeared in the succulents set, adding to the suspicion that they were back in production for something else also... Whether this or something more also...

Love the vintage castle sets so it's a fun remake, but the way of obtaining it feels a little underhand. I appreciate lego are in business to make money, but would have been nice to be able to buy this off a shelf rather, or at least get it as a gwp alongside a castle set, rather than buying 'random' stuff just to hit a threshold.

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By in United Kingdom,

@kingalbino said:
"Interesting to point out that spending £149.99 on, eg: Optiums Prime or Starry Night will not be enough for Lego... they want that extra penny before you qualify for this Forest Hideout."

Usually in store they’d give you the gift. I assume if you contact customer services after ordering online they would do the same but that can be a hassle at busy times. They should just change the threshold by 1p/c

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By in United States,

@dbbunny said:
" @kingalbino said:
"Interesting to point out that spending £149.99 on, eg: Optiums Prime or Starry Night will not be enough for Lego... they want that extra penny before you qualify for this Forest Hideout."

Usually in store they’d give you the gift. I assume if you contact customer services after ordering online they would do the same but that can be a hassle at busy times. They should just change the threshold by 1p/c

"


If it is one penny off online it gives it to you but anymore than that and it won't.

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By in Sweden,

"Unfortunately neither minifigure head is double sided"

You meant good thing, right? With these hats, double sided heads would mean a nasty Voldemort look for everybody. Being what Lego is, I never understood double printings. Just replace heads with an extra or something. Double printings are super limited in use as you need a full cover for the back of their heads, which in turn means scratches in the long run.

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By in United Kingdom,

@KoolKreeper489 said:
" @dbbunny said:
" @kingalbino said:
"Interesting to point out that spending £149.99 on, eg: Optiums Prime or Starry Night will not be enough for Lego... they want that extra penny before you qualify for this Forest Hideout."

Usually in store they’d give you the gift. I assume if you contact customer services after ordering online they would do the same but that can be a hassle at busy times. They should just change the threshold by 1p/c

"


If it is one penny off online it gives it to you but anymore than that and it won't."


Not in the UK unfortunately!!

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By in United Kingdom,

You can also find four forest hats in 10309 Succulents
Nice set but I'm not [£150] interested.

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By in Australia,

The price thresh-hold in Australia was only $210, which wasn't too bad. I expected it to be much, much worse. I was very grateful that it wasn't too high (because it usually is much higher). One Winnie the Pooh set and a Monkie Kid mecha, and I was sold.

I do like the curves, but -- and I'm probably going to be run off the site, for this -- I really liked the arch bricks (that were very prominent in the original model). The leaves were connected to the tree by actual plates, and honestly, I preferred that (than just attaching the leaves to a few sloping bars. Something about that looks messy and unfinished).

Having said that, I like the round pieces that make up the tree's body (it does give the model an authentic organic look), and I like the internal space (there was a lot less in the original model). Move the barrel downstairs, and you have quite a lot of interior space for the minifigs to inhabit (something that both kid me and adult me appreciates).

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By in Sweden,

Tower? It's a tree! I guess you could call it a tree tower.

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By in United Kingdom,

Any chance of a picture of this and the original side-by-side, or maybe a comparison article at a later date? I'd find it really interesting to see an in-depth look at the full extent of the changes between the two versions ^^

In any case, thanks for the review!

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By in United Kingdom,

It's nice but I can't help feeling that most of the black should have been switched out to at least dark brown.

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By in Germany,

"gift with purchase" - hilarious: It was announced on the Lego shop website on the 15th. It never showed up in my basket - I had never any problems with former GWPs.
If any one (felling) responsible for the Lego online shop is reading this: You haven't done well!

About availability:
As of now it is not shown on the german shop website any more...

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By in Netherlands,

Just had mine delivered, good excuse to finally get the daily bugle.

Need to find my original before I build though

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By in United States,

@TomKazutara said:
"A lot of hair in this build"

Ah, yes, the unfortunate combination of black bricks, having a little black and white dog assisting with photography, and doing the review at the end of a long day! Thanks for pointing it out - I think I've fixed the most egregious contributions from my dog now.

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By in United Kingdom,

I think they should have recoloured the tree to be brown. I guess the only reason it wasn't brown in 6054 is because in 1988 there were fewer colours to choose from.

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By in United Kingdom,

Got this with Rolling Stones and Farmer's Market Van. With my Bricklink Designer Program orders finally arriving, that's 4 Lego deliveries in 4 days... seeing my DPD driver more frequently than my family!

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By in New Zealand,

Fortunately there were a couple of expensive sets I wanted but hadn't purchased yet, so from my perspective this is a really neat bonus to a set I was going to get anyway. Very happy with that!

It would have been nice to have two different torsos but realise that it's really nice to be getting this torso at all. I might swap over one of the figures to have red or brown trousers, just to mix it up.

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By in United States,

Went to a Lego store and got 21325 to get this set.
It would be great if they did another castle gift with purchase of $100 some time, so I can go ahead and get 31120.

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By in United States,

I can still remember that I named the green-hatted Forestman Roland and the other one James. I guess I'll call the Forest Lady Jamie. And folks, they also reused the Forestmen's hat in blue for 71032-3.

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By in United States,

The new forestmen hats have intermittently been in production since 2009, with previous appearances in reddish brown in 852753-1 (and 5000440-1) and 2856224; green in 8683-14, 70358-1, and 10309-1; dark green in 8833-3 and 70919-1; light bluish-gray in 60271-1; and blue in 71032-3.
Compared with the original forestmen hat piece, the newer hat pieces have a small whitish mold break point visible at the very top of the hat within the dimple as well as slightly larger plume holes. As a result, the older feather/plume pieces (that came on sprue wheels) do not fit as snugly within the hole of the newer hat pieces, with newer (independent) feather/plume pieces not having this issue (this is not due to wear as I have also tried old feather pieces fresh off their sprue wheels).

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By in Puerto Rico,

What a fantastical GWP, I need it.

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By in Canada,

Great review! I'm especially glad @MeganL was tasked with writing it, since in addition to closely resembling its 1988 counterpart, this set's updated build (and its curved foundation) call to mind some of the set designs from the Elves theme!

Compared to the angular trunk of the original set, this tree design makes outstanding use of round bricks/plates, palisade bricks, and cylindrical panels to create a knobbly, organic-looking cross section, while still closely mimicking the original set's proportions. The branches also curve, criss-cross, and fork in a delightfully lifelike manner. Even the amount of foliage is improved from the original set, with two more of each leaf cluster/limb element, as well as some flowers and a mushroom near the roots of the tree.

I'm very glad that the interior of the hollow tree includes a ladder (something I've always been surprised that the original set lacked). That said, compared to the original set, it's a bit of a bummer it lacks any dedicated place for the forestwoman to hang her sword, nor any of the hanging vines that the outlaws in the original set could use to climb up or drop down quickly from the tree's canopy.

Admittedly, I've always thought of vine swinging as more like a Tarzan thing than a Robin Hood thing, but given how many great flexible vine pieces LEGO has today compared to 1988 (such as https://brickset.com/parts/design-27965, https://brickset.com/parts/design-14210, and https://brickset.com/parts/design-75216), it's a shame they didn't take the opportunity to showcase any of those advances here.

The target and its three-legged stand are another effective demonstration of the possibilities modern parts and building techniques can offer. On the other hand, I'm genuinely quite charmed by the decision to leave the barrel of gold coins largely "as-is" aside from changing the barrel's color to Reddish Brown and the coins' color to Warm Gold.

I've often observed that even after chrome parts first began to appear in sets in the late 80s, themes like Castle, Pirates, Ninja, and Adventurers would still often reserve them for magical or highly sought-after treasures — stuff that is meant to be the center of attention — while using Bright Yellow and Grey to represent gold- and silver-colored accessories/details in other contexts (e.g. goblets, generic swords/axes, and gilded/gold-painted accents on carriages, statues, furniture, etc).

Nowadays, "pearl" colors like Warm Gold and Silver Metallic can are more typically used in those contexts where a shinier lacquered/metallized coating would seem needlessly ostentatious. And while the 1x1 round plates used as coins here are certainly nothing exciting compared to either molded coins or printed 1x1 round tiles, I think this was still a very charming place to include such a direct throwback to the contents of the original set!

The hair piece of the forestwoman doesn't bother me too much, since it's a nice look for a female bandit — but I do wish that in the very least, it had been in a rarer/more unique color, rather than the Dark Brown that has previously been available for a dozen years, and in dozens of sets! But I do think the face prints are nicely chosen. The updated torso design is also beautifully detailed and highly effective for both figures.

I am in fact thinking about picking this set up for myself, even though the Castle theme in general is rarely a particular focus of mine, and the Forestmen sets themselves were largely before my time. It'll be a great companion piece to both the Medieval Blacksmith set I got for Christmas last year, and the Lion Knights' Castle which is looking more and more enticing! Fortunately, even here in the US, there are plenty of great Friends and Dots sets out that will easily get me up to the purchase threshold. Thanks again for the review!

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By in Belgium,

The old set has a nice simplicity the new set doesn't have.
I don't like the faces and to many details.

I know i'm old, i'll just pimp my old set and keep my money.
Lego, just make something NEW instead of remakes.

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By in United States,

@catfish said:
"Lego, just make something NEW instead of remakes."

You won't find many Bricksetters agreeing with you there. A large number of us just want endless remakes of sets and themes from the '90s.

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By in Hungary,

I think it is really great how the TLG prepare to this anniversary.To bring back a classic set like this is awsome. The thing is that most of the new sets ralky lack of creativity it is only about making money as being on the safe side. Just repeat.But this set, the new castle the Galaxy Explorer is a kind of light in darkness.

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By in United Kingdom,

@Huw @MeganL - I think this may not have been correctly categorised as a review, as 40567 is showing no reviews at the moment?

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By in Belgium,

@TheOtherMike said:
" @catfish said:
"Lego, just make something NEW instead of remakes."

You won't find many Bricksetters agreeing with you there. A large number of us just want endless remakes of sets and themes from the '90s."

I know, but i own all sets from the '80s en '90s i like. Why should i buy a new version of a set when i could by a new set?

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By in United States,

@catfish: Understandable, but it can be interesting seeing how they use newer pieces and techniques to achieve a similar model.

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By in United States,

@MeganL said:
" @TomKazutara said:
"A lot of hair in this build"

Ah, yes, the unfortunate combination of black bricks, having a little black and white dog assisting with photography, and doing the review at the end of a long day! Thanks for pointing it out - I think I've fixed the most egregious contributions from my dog now."


I was expecting an explanation regarding llamas.

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By in Hungary,

Is this set only available for a limited time, or will it stay for a longer time?

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By in United States,

My guess is this set will pop back up later this year. It sat in my cart the entire GWP timeframe (There was nothing I ended up wanting to buy) so I think they have plenty.

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