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Bionicle reboot lacking flair?


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First off, I'm glad to be a part of the forums guys.

Now on to Bionicle stuff.

After seeing the new sets that have just been released, am I the only one who's been extremely underwhelmed? Granted, it won't be the same as rattling that Canister covered in wrapping paper during my 4th grade birthday party, but seeing the sets as they are now just doesn't feel like Bionicle to me.

First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets. Now it seems like they won't take the time to create a new cool chest mold for the new toa. Also seeing the feet be the CCBC (I think that is what it is called?), or simply the HF feet, seems really lazy on Lego's part. I remember every new generation of Toa had new feet, new chest plates, and things that (for the most part) felt original and actually new. I'm not in any way hating in Hero Factory, but if I'm paying $20 for a Bionicle, I want to receive a BIONICLE, know what I'm sayin? Some people might say that this is maybe a pilot run to see how the newer generation of kids will respond to the products, thus the lack of 100% dedicated parts, which i understand, but as a guy who grew up loving Bionicle, it pains me to see it go this way.

 

Things I appreciate are the fact that I get to see Bionicle back on the shelves and the cool new masks and weapons. But if that's all there is to it, I can't see myself putting the money into these sets, especially because I'm tight on budget in the first place.

 

But that's just me? What about you? I'd like to see what you guys think. I apologize if this is a repost of some sort.

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Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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I think this is a dupe of this topic.

 

Anyways a lot of the things you mentioned are clearly money-saving tactics on LEGO's part, rather than laziness, as you put it. There are only two stickers used (on Kopaka and Onua), and they are only used on pieces that don't have designs on any other sets (unlike the chestplates, which have designs on all of the Toa, making it financially viable to use a print instead of a sticker). Additionally, it is an entirely new theme, so they couldn't make new feet, new chestplates, new shells, new hands, new everything. They have a budget, and released as many new molds as they could. The 2001 Toa Mata were the same way, reusing various molds from its predecessor, Slizer. In future set waves we are bound to see new molds to filter out most of the existing Hero Factory parts.

 

The original Bionicle sets worked in a similar fashion, with just a few new parts released with each wave. Old parts were always used on new sets, with each set containing two or three new pieces. Several of the larger Titans didn't use unique molds at all! So I really don't see how you think that Gen 2 fails on that account.

 

You also say that the new sets just don't feel like Bionicle to you. I imagine a lot of people feel this way, simply because they are older now. There has also been five years of development to the constraction system since Bionicle ended, so most (or all) of the constraction parts in the new sets are things we've never seen before in Bionicle. That's not a bad thing at all; even if you don't like CCBS, the new parts are undeniably sturdier (almost all of my sockets from 2008 onward are cracked beyond usability). I think that the only people who are put off by CCBS are older fans that miss the Bionicle system.

 

I hope you at least give the new Bionicle a shot, I felt pretty much the same way as you when I first learned about its return. But once you actually build a set, you will probably change your mind about almost everything, like I did!

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This probably would fit into another, pre-existing topic, but I think it makes a unique enough point to stand on it's own merits. That said, I still have to disagree with the points being raised!

 

There were two stickers on Kopaka and I haven't applied them, a decision I'm perfectly happy to stick with. As for Onua's chestplate (which has 2 more due to Lego lacking machines to print this part) I actually took photos of this set both with and without stickers and with gold and silver armour variations. While I'm still not entirely sure which colour scheme I prefer, he DEFINITELY looks better with the stickers applied than without them. Leaving that huge black expanse on his chest looks awful and the stickers also serve to tie him in with the rest of the team as they all have these similar patterns.

 

The reason these parts came with stickers is because Lego doesn't have printing machines in operation to decorate those parts in the preferable method. If they DID have these machines they would have used them instead of going the sticker route but it clearly makes no financial sense to create these new machines just for a few sets (if it did they would have done it!) As for the feet, I read dozens of comments regarding this before the sets were released and was beginning to fear for them myself due to the level of criticism they received! In the end though they're just feet. They look fine. Like feet... Onua has different ones which is kind of cool and the fact that the others are the same old HF parts really doesn't bother me one bit. It would be nice to see some new molds made to replace these simple pieces for future sets but for now I think we did pretty well with the sets we received.

 

It was always going to be hard trying to recapture the sense of excitement we had as kids when we bought our first Toa. I was suitably hyped to abandon my family on New Years day and make a 3 hour round-trip to pick all these sets up on release day though and I'm absolutely thrilled that I did. The trip to a Lego store was exciting in itself and holding brand new sets for the first time was just as good now as when I was a kid the first time round! Perhaps it just didn't feel the same for you, but if that's the case it may not necessarily be down to the feet and stickers.


Check out my Bionicle store on Bricklink here!

> > > Bionic Bricks < < <

 

Let me know if you can help me find these last few collectibles!

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Also looking for WILD KRAATA and a VMKK Yo!!!

 

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Think of it as a way to turn all those horrible 4 years of hero factory, into your new Bionicle 2015 collection! I loved the building system on hero factory, and it works amazing on Bionicle. They essentially give you an excuse to use any past hero factory parts you didn't care about. And so what, they had to reuse pieces so these sets could yield a large profit, so that bionicle in the summer wave will be awesome!

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They're just testing the market to see if Bionicle will sell again before bringing out new molds.

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Frankly, BIONICLE's policy of "new everything every wave" was one of its biggest faults, in my opinion, and I'm glad we're rid of that. I feel that sets should stand out in terms of their actual construction and design, not just by replacing perfectly good existing parts with new ones that perform the same function. And I think the new BIONICLE sets are outstanding in that regard.

 

That doesn't mean I dislike getting new pieces! And we are getting lots of great new pieces with this BIONICLE wave. Eight new masks (so far), a new gearbox, a new piston detail piece, four new weapons, a new two-part blaster, a new head and eyestalk, and the new Skull Spider legs. That makes nineteen new parts in these thirteen sets alone. According to the designers, by the end of the year, that number will rise to around 30 new parts total. In future years I'm sure we'll get even more BIONICLE-specific parts, since the designers will be able to reuse parts from this year like the heads and gearboxes and thus open up even more room in the budget for newer parts. But the sets will continue to use basic parts as well, because that's what LEGO is about.

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I really feel like the 2015 Toa have a ton of flair and personality. As a matter of fact, they make their predecessors look bland and quite outdated ( that's a given considering that the Toa Mata are 14+ years old). I will always love the 2001-2003 Toa Mata and Nuva, but this reboot was executed in a very stylized, polished, and respectful manner, definitely honoring the Original Toa.

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First off, I'm glad to be a part of the forums guys.

Now on to Bionicle stuff.

After seeing the new sets that have just been released, am I the only one who's been extremely underwhelmed? Granted, it won't be the same as rattling that Canister covered in wrapping paper during my 4th grade birthday party, but seeing the sets as they are now just doesn't feel like Bionicle to me.

First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets. Now it seems like they won't take the time to create a new cool chest mold for the new toa. Also seeing the feet be the CCBC (I think that is what it is called?), or simply the HF feet, seems really lazy on Lego's part. I remember every new generation of Toa had new feet, new chest plates, and things that (for the most part) felt original and actually new. I'm not in any way hating in Hero Factory, but if I'm paying $20 for a Bionicle, I want to receive a BIONICLE, know what I'm sayin? Some people might say that this is maybe a pilot run to see how the newer generation of kids will respond to the products, thus the lack of 100% dedicated parts, which i understand, but as a guy who grew up loving Bionicle, it pains me to see it go this way.

 

Things I appreciate are the fact that I get to see Bionicle back on the shelves and the cool new masks and weapons. But if that's all there is to it, I can't see myself putting the money into these sets, especially because I'm tight on budget in the first place.

 

But that's just me? What about you? I'd like to see what you guys think. I apologize if this is a repost of some sort.

I like this guy!

 

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

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First off, I'm glad to be a part of the forums guys.

Now on to Bionicle stuff.

After seeing the new sets that have just been released, am I the only one who's been extremely underwhelmed? Granted, it won't be the same as rattling that Canister covered in wrapping paper during my 4th grade birthday party, but seeing the sets as they are now just doesn't feel like Bionicle to me.

First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets. Now it seems like they won't take the time to create a new cool chest mold for the new toa. Also seeing the feet be the CCBC (I think that is what it is called?), or simply the HF feet, seems really lazy on Lego's part. I remember every new generation of Toa had new feet, new chest plates, and things that (for the most part) felt original and actually new. I'm not in any way hating in Hero Factory, but if I'm paying $20 for a Bionicle, I want to receive a BIONICLE, know what I'm sayin? Some people might say that this is maybe a pilot run to see how the newer generation of kids will respond to the products, thus the lack of 100% dedicated parts, which i understand, but as a guy who grew up loving Bionicle, it pains me to see it go this way.

 

Things I appreciate are the fact that I get to see Bionicle back on the shelves and the cool new masks and weapons. But if that's all there is to it, I can't see myself putting the money into these sets, especially because I'm tight on budget in the first place.

 

But that's just me? What about you? I'd like to see what you guys think. I apologize if this is a repost of some sort.

I like this guy!

 

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

 

That's it. I'm done. I'm so done.

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Thanks for the thoughts guys!

I totally get what you folks are getting at. But when I mean stickers, I mean the chest plates in general are reliant on a decal which isn't how Bionicle is usually done. Also the protectors got (what I think are) new feet, but the toa are left with the HF feet which just seems undedicated to me. For a lot of these sets, I'm paying $15-20 per, sometimes more if you live else where. Takanuva with his vehicle was around $20 upon its release, granted a different time, but not that long ago which was (in my opinion) A COOL SET.

 

Again, I understand that this may be a test run, or pilot, as some may call it, but I guess I'll wait for the Titan sets to come out and make my final decision then.

And I've accepted the paper boxes every since Mahri Nui came out. Maybe I'll grow to accept the new 2015 guys just the same, but I'm missing that raw quality Bionicle used to have. For some reason it just feels rebranded.

 

I appreciate the thoughts that you guys are putting in. I'm glad that I've found bzpower :P

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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First off, I'm glad to be a part of the forums guys.

Now on to Bionicle stuff.

After seeing the new sets that have just been released, am I the only one who's been extremely underwhelmed? Granted, it won't be the same as rattling that Canister covered in wrapping paper during my 4th grade birthday party, but seeing the sets as they are now just doesn't feel like Bionicle to me.

First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets. Now it seems like they won't take the time to create a new cool chest mold for the new toa. Also seeing the feet be the CCBC (I think that is what it is called?), or simply the HF feet, seems really lazy on Lego's part. I remember every new generation of Toa had new feet, new chest plates, and things that (for the most part) felt original and actually new. I'm not in any way hating in Hero Factory, but if I'm paying $20 for a Bionicle, I want to receive a BIONICLE, know what I'm sayin? Some people might say that this is maybe a pilot run to see how the newer generation of kids will respond to the products, thus the lack of 100% dedicated parts, which i understand, but as a guy who grew up loving Bionicle, it pains me to see it go this way.

Things I appreciate are the fact that I get to see Bionicle back on the shelves and the cool new masks and weapons. But if that's all there is to it, I can't see myself putting the money into these sets, especially because I'm tight on budget in the first place.

But that's just me? What about you? I'd like to see what you guys think. I apologize if this is a repost of some sort.

I like this guy!

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

I agree, I miss the old charm it used to have and the need to collect every bionicle.
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Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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...I totally get what you folks are getting at. But when I mean stickers, I mean the chest plates in general are reliant on a decal which isn't how Bionicle is usually done...

 

ONE set has TWO stickers on it's chest plate. That's it... NONE of the other chest plates have even a single sticker, they're all printed. Do you mean you have a problem that there is a design printed on the chestplates? Because that's a whole different problem than stickers. Lots of people don't like the stickers but I haven't seen too many complaints about the printed parts. Maybe it isn't very 'gen 1' but this is Gen 2 so I really fail to see the issue...

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Check out my Bionicle store on Bricklink here!

> > > Bionic Bricks < < <

 

Let me know if you can help me find these last few collectibles!

Masks%20footer4_zpspqs4myrt.png

Also looking for WILD KRAATA and a VMKK Yo!!!

 

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First off, I'm glad to be a part of the forums guys.

Now on to Bionicle stuff.

After seeing the new sets that have just been released, am I the only one who's been extremely underwhelmed? Granted, it won't be the same as rattling that Canister covered in wrapping paper during my 4th grade birthday party, but seeing the sets as they are now just doesn't feel like Bionicle to me.

First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets. Now it seems like they won't take the time to create a new cool chest mold for the new toa. Also seeing the feet be the CCBC (I think that is what it is called?), or simply the HF feet, seems really lazy on Lego's part. I remember every new generation of Toa had new feet, new chest plates, and things that (for the most part) felt original and actually new. I'm not in any way hating in Hero Factory, but if I'm paying $20 for a Bionicle, I want to receive a BIONICLE, know what I'm sayin? Some people might say that this is maybe a pilot run to see how the newer generation of kids will respond to the products, thus the lack of 100% dedicated parts, which i understand, but as a guy who grew up loving Bionicle, it pains me to see it go this way.

Things I appreciate are the fact that I get to see Bionicle back on the shelves and the cool new masks and weapons. But if that's all there is to it, I can't see myself putting the money into these sets, especially because I'm tight on budget in the first place.

But that's just me? What about you? I'd like to see what you guys think. I apologize if this is a repost of some sort.

I like this guy!

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

I agree, I miss the old charm it used to have and the need to collect every bionicle.

Yes, you just can't stand not having that nui jaga pair walmart never seemed to have. :(

 

This newonicle just dosnt have the oomf! That g1 did, I guess bionicles just one of those things that you can only pull of in one round, a reboot just can't do the same.

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I like this guy!

 

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

You can take your "nostalgia classes" off as well.

 

Did you ever think what G1 was? Rebranded from failures of constraction lines. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and tribal atmosphere, and that's what you have. Gone were the efficient cardboard boxes, replaced with unenviromental chunks of plastic, with a hardly justified P.O.O.P. on top. Stiff limbs, and a half of the sets were Technic!

 

You once made the comparison that you tried CCBS as a food, and didn't like it. Guess what: this site will be overflowing with that specific food for at least the next three years.

 

TLG can't make a new line with all the part molds being new, in this case: a more complex building system you seem to crave. CCBS has hardly reached it's prime yet!

 

Who really has the nostalgia goggles on?

 

(I've been reading these for a while now: had to vent.)

"Onua gazes upon the Earth and sees riches. It is our Duty to dig, and our Destiny to find them"


- Aiyetoro

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First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets.

 

Tuma had stickers, and the Bohrok Kal had printed faceplates. Printed designs are nothing new to Bionicle.

 

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

 

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of the term "nostalgia glasses". Why would nostalgia glasses cause someone to enjoy something different from what they had in their childhood? If anything, you're the one with the nostalgia glasses on, considering every last one of your criticisms revolves around why the Bionicle of your childhood was "better".

 

The canisters of old are gone because LEGO is actually trying to become aware of the impact they have on the environment, which is good. Caring about the Earth we live on is a good thing. It doesn't matter how many canisters you have if the entire human race is dead.

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I just find the printed patterns to be lazy. I understand that it's cost efficient, and I respect that decision, but that's not representative of the Bionicle I used to know. It feels like a different brand with a Bionicle name tag. Some people are totally okay with the printed chest plates, but who's stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces? I'm not saying the new toa are lacking creativity, but the printed pieces are definitely not innovative. And again, whats stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces when I'd rather be BUILDING it and feeling the textures with my hands of a new mold instead of just being limited to SEEING it

Am I expecting too much? Of course! Clearly I'm seeing BIONICLE on the box, so I'm being promised a Bionicle, but I feel I'm receiving less of that. It looks cartooney and less serious/ realistic. The feeling of realism in a Bionicle made it that much cooler even if this universe was clearly fiction.

 

I appreciate the sets and find their gear functions and frail mask attatchments to be VERY representative of Bionicle. I think that these sets are a blast to build from the looks of it and definitely appeals to an audience that's not me. But I feel it doesn't deserve the title of being a Bionicle. I get it. It's a reboot and I should be glad that it's back and support it. But it feels like I sent my child away in good health and a different kid just knocked on my door. I expected evolution. I'm not saying the 2015 is a downgrade, but it's static from HF.

 

That was a lot to say and probably unpopular, but I'm hoping more people see it the way I do. I don't want to bring the 2015 sets down, I want to make them better. Why settle for less when it used to be something greater? The cost doesn't worry me. Onua has waaay more pieces than Tahu and they're both the same price range.

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I just find the printed patterns to be lazy. I understand that it's cost efficient, and I respect that decision, but that's not representative of the Bionicle I used to know. It feels like a different brand with a Bionicle name tag. Some people are totally okay with the printed chest plates, but who's stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces? I'm not saying the new toa are lacking creativity, but the printed pieces are definitely not innovative. And again, whats stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces when I'd rather be BUILDING it and feeling the textures with my hands of a new mold instead of just being limited to SEEING it

Am I expecting too much? Of course! Clearly I'm seeing BIONICLE on the box, so I'm being promised a Bionicle, but I feel I'm receiving less of that. It looks cartooney and less serious/ realistic. The feeling of realism in a Bionicle made it that much cooler even if this universe was clearly fiction.

 

I appreciate the sets and find their gear functions and frail mask attatchments to be VERY representative of Bionicle. I think that these sets are a blast to build from the looks of it and definitely appeals to an audience that's not me. But I feel it doesn't deserve the title of being a Bionicle. I get it. It's a reboot and I should be glad that it's back and support it. But it feels like I sent my child away in good health and a different kid just knocked on my door. I expected evolution. I'm not saying the 2015 is a downgrade, but it's static from HF.

 

That was a lot to say and probably unpopular, but I'm hoping more people see it the way I do. I don't want to bring the 2015 sets down, I want to make them better. Why settle for less when it used to be something greater? The cost doesn't worry me. Onua has waaay more pieces than Tahu and they're both the same price range.

You are on an online forum about a toyline for children, that has a tie-in animated series.

These new stickers seem cartoonish from my standpoint.

 

>.>

Edited by Rider Of Spiders

"Onua gazes upon the Earth and sees riches. It is our Duty to dig, and our Destiny to find them"


- Aiyetoro

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First off, I wish they'd stop with the stickers. Maybe if it was Knight's Kingdom or something that'd be okay, but Bionicle ALWAYS made dedicated pieces for their sets.

 

 

Tuma had stickers, and the Bohrok Kal had printed faceplates. Printed designs are nothing new to Bionicle.

 

You obviously have taken off your nostalgia glasses and hopped of the "hype train" and seen this new bionicle for what it is, rebranded hero factory. I'm sorry to say it, but take away the mask, weapon, and gearbox, and that's what you have. Gone are the canisters of old, replaced with cereal boxes. (Kopaka crunch?) Gone are the mask packs and their teasing us with that one mask you just cant live without. Buddy, I can see that your new here, and I want you to know, your not alone.

 

 

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of the term "nostalgia glasses". Why would nostalgia glasses cause someone to enjoy something different from what they had in their childhood? If anything, you're the one with the nostalgia glasses on, considering every last one of your criticisms revolves around why the Bionicle of your childhood was "better".

 

The canisters of old are gone because LEGO is actually trying to become aware of the impact they have on the environment, which is good. Caring about the Earth we live on is a good thing. It doesn't matter how many canisters you have if the entire human race is dead.

Hey! I understand what you're saying about the stickers being on the other sets but they weren't centerpieces for the set. They were more like tatoos. These new stickers seem cartoonish from my standpoint. And again, I'm fine without the canisters. It was dissapointing at first, but the boxes grew on me over time because of the fact it didn't affect the building experience and it helped the environment.

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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I don't see how a textured chest plate would be more innovative than a printed chest piece considering it would be pretty much the same piece, just with texture instead of a print. That's like taking a smooth rock and a jagged rock and saying the jagged rock is the more innovative rock because it has texture. Aanchir has already mentioned how wasteful it is to produce useless pieces to be thrown away after one year; I find the printed pieces a great way to bring a unique aesthetic to the sets without making a useless piece.

 

 

Hey! I understand what you're saying about the stickers being on the other sets but they weren't centerpieces for the set. They were more like tatoos. These new stickers seem cartoonish from my standpoint.

 

How are the new prints/stickers any more cartoonish than Tuma's Skrall patterns or the Bohrok Kal's scaly headplates? All of them serve the purpose of bringing some Bionicle aesthetic to an otherwise blank piece. Besides, the new chest prints are definitely like tattoos, or body paint, or some other decoration. Why else would there be such bold streaks of color?

 

 

I'm not saying the 2015 is a downgrade, but it's static from HF.

 

I don't think it's static; the introduction of a gearbox alone is an advancement in the CCBS building system never seen before. I suppose the limbs are fairly typical for a CCBS set, but then again, Bionicle canister sets stopped innovating with limb design in 2006, so it's hardly something Old!Bionicle didn't do before, and worse.

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I just find the printed patterns to be lazy. I understand that it's cost efficient, and I respect that decision, but that's not representative of the Bionicle I used to know. It feels like a different brand with a Bionicle name tag. Some people are totally okay with the printed chest plates, but who's stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces? I'm not saying the new toa are lacking creativity, but the printed pieces are definitely not innovative. And again, whats stopping them from continuing to create printed pieces when I'd rather be BUILDING it and feeling the textures with my hands of a new mold instead of just being limited to SEEING it

Am I expecting too much? Of course! Clearly I'm seeing BIONICLE on the box, so I'm being promised a Bionicle, but I feel I'm receiving less of that. It looks cartooney and less serious/ realistic. The feeling of realism in a Bionicle made it that much cooler even if this universe was clearly fiction.

I appreciate the sets and find their gear functions and frail mask attatchments to be VERY representative of Bionicle. I think that these sets are a blast to build from the looks of it and definitely appeals to an audience that's not me. But I feel it doesn't deserve the title of being a Bionicle. I get it. It's a reboot and I should be glad that it's back and support it. But it feels like I sent my child away in good health and a different kid just knocked on my door. I expected evolution. I'm not saying the 2015 is a downgrade, but it's static from HF.

That was a lot to say and probably unpopular, but I'm hoping more people see it the way I do. I don't want to bring the 2015 sets down, I want to make them better. Why settle for less when it used to be something greater? The cost doesn't worry me. Onua has waaay more pieces than Tahu and they're both the same price range.

 

You are on an online forum about a toyline for children, that has a tie-in animated series.

The gen1 stuff were pretty serious looking even for being a toyline. Just cause the gen1 had a comic tie in, doesn't mean that I found comic decals on my toa, just saying. Granted I'm on a forum for a toy line, but Bionicle is pretty important to me for some reason :P

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I don't see how a textured chest plate would be more innovative than a printed chest piece considering it would be pretty much the same piece, just with texture instead of a print. That's like taking a smooth rock and a jagged rock and saying the jagged rock is the more innovative rock because it has texture. Aanchir has already mentioned how wasteful it is to produce useless pieces to be thrown away after one year; I find the printed pieces a great way to bring a unique aesthetic to the sets without making a useless piece.

 

 

 

Hey! I understand what you're saying about the stickers being on the other sets but they weren't centerpieces for the set. They were more like tatoos. These new stickers seem cartoonish from my standpoint.

 

 

How are the new prints/stickers any more cartoonish than Tuma's Skrall patterns or the Bohrok Kal's scaly headplates? All of them serve the purpose of bringing some Bionicle aesthetic to an otherwise blank piece. Besides, the new chest prints are definitely like tattoos, or body paint, or some other decoration. Why else would there be such bold streaks of color?

 

 

I'm not saying the 2015 is a downgrade, but it's static from HF.

 

 

I don't think it's static; the introduction of a gearbox alone is an advancement in the CCBS building system never seen before. I suppose the limbs are fairly typical for a CCBS set, but then again, Bionicle canister sets stopped innovating with limb design in 2006, so it's hardly something Old!Bionicle didn't do before, and worse.

You bring good points. I stopped collecting Bionicle from a certain point. Maybe it's because of what you said above or if I got older and lost interest. All true things you've said above. I don't take toa for having tatoos or paint, but if that's the direction the writers want to take then I respect the decision. Again, I'll be waiting for the bigger sets like to the level of the T9 or the Kikonalo to make any more judgements. Everything I stated prior were first impressions and feelings. Definitely subject to change through time..

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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That was a lot to say and probably unpopular, but I'm hoping more people see it the way I do. I don't want to bring the 2015 sets down, I want to make them better. Why settle for less when it used to be something greater? The cost doesn't worry me. Onua has waaay more pieces than Tahu and they're both the same price range.

Personally, I think the smoother textures are an evolution of what we used to have. You're right that this is different from what we used to have, but you're also assuming that the things that separate it from the old BIONICLE are what made the old BIONICLE cool.

 

Intricately molded detail is not as special as you make it out to be (there are all kinds of much cheaper toy robot figures that are covered with molded detail), and in many cases overuse of it just amounts to clutter. As I see it, the smooth contours of the newer sets help them to look cleaner and more refined than classic BIONICLE sets used to be.

 

And the printed chest plates don't seem at all to me like they're supposed to be some "substitute" for molded detail. Rather, they add a totally different KIND of detail, just like the printing did on the faceplates of the Bohrok-Kal. It's like tribal war paint or automotive detailing. They aren't about making the shapes more complex, but rather about adding color and decoration.

 

The gen1 stuff were pretty serious looking even for being a toyline. Just cause the gen1 had a comic tie in, doesn't mean that I found comic decals on my toa, just saying. Granted I'm on a forum for a toy line, but Bionicle is pretty important to me for some reason :P

Serious isn't always something you want in a toy or story. Make things too serious and they stop being fun for a lot of people. The Mata Nui Online Game was one of the most cartoony, lighthearted bits of story media in the old BIONICLE, and it's also one of the most widely beloved.

Edited by Aanchir
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I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

Then you've obviously never heard of transformers Masterpiece.

 

Proto, I agree with you, textured detail adds so much to a set that mere printing cannot.

Edited by ToaSalvus
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I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

I'm sure this is for me so I'll take it. It's cool that it looks like it's made for kids. Obviously too if you see the age recommendation on the box. Unrealistic and cartooney is what I said, not childish.

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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Take it or leave it, no one is forcing anyone to love these new sets. There's no way that Bionicle could be rebooted without using existing elements, that's completely ineffective when it comes to keeping costs down. I personally feel like Lego did a fantastic job resurrecting Bionicle, infusing them with new pieces (new for Bionicle at least), while keeping the old feel and aesthetic of the first gen.

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That was a lot to say and probably unpopular, but I'm hoping more people see it the way I do. I don't want to bring the 2015 sets down, I want to make them better. Why settle for less when it used to be something greater? The cost doesn't worry me. Onua has waaay more pieces than Tahu and they're both the same price range.

Personally, I think the smoother textures are an evolution of what we used to have. You're right that this is different from what we used to have, but you're also assuming that the things that separate it from the old BIONICLE are what made the old BIONICLE cool.Intricately molded detail is not as special as you make it out to be (there are all kinds of much cheaper toy robot figures that are covered with molded detail), and in many cases overuse of it just amounts to clutter. As I see it, the smooth contours of the newer sets help them to look cleaner and more refined than classic BIONICLE sets used to be.And the printed chest plates don't seem at all to me like they're supposed to be some "substitute" for molded detail. Rather, they add a totally different KIND of detail, just like the printing did on the faceplates of the Bohrok-Kal. It's like tribal war paint or automotive detailing. They aren't about making the shapes more complex, but rather about adding color and decoration.

That's a pretty cool way of thinking about it. I'll keep that in mind when I see them again. I'm open to new ideas and I like the kinds of points being brought up in how you see them instead.

 

I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

Then you've obviously never heard of transformers Masterpiece.

Proto, I agree with you, textured detail adds so much to a set that mere printing cannot.

I still feel that way too. I'm glad you agree!

 

But to everyone, I'm glad to hear different opinions and I'm stoked to see the next line of future Bionicle. i dont think anyone is right or wrong in this matter because I find that this is controversial considering this is a reboot. I guess I'm an old light :P

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I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

Then you've obviously never heard of transformers Masterpiece.

 

Proto, I agree with you, textured detail adds so much to a set that mere printing cannot.

 

Except that Transformers Masterpiece is not made for kids. Bionicle is.

Lego UC Series is not made for kids. Bionicle is.

 

Bionicle as a line can not stand with the support of the people who bought it in G1, it must get new fans. Guess what they are? Kids.

"Onua gazes upon the Earth and sees riches. It is our Duty to dig, and our Destiny to find them"


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I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

Then you've obviously never heard of transformers Masterpiece.

 

I'm sorry, did they at some point stop making a majority of Transformers toys for kids when they released the Masterpiece line? Did I miss something here? Did Hasbro stop marketing Transformers toys towards children?

 

 

 

I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

I'm sure this is for me so I'll take it. It's cool that it looks like it's made for kids. Obviously too if you see the age recommendation on the box. Unrealistic and cartooney is what I said, not childish.

 

 

MNOG, the most fondly-remembered piece of media from 2001, was pretty much every bit as cartoony as the Okoto animations. Heck, it even had a fart joke, for christ's sake.

 

The patterns themselves, I still don't see what's unrealistic and cartoony about. They have some vents, some intricate shiny detailing, and some streaks of "body paint".

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I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

 

Then you've obviously never heard of transformers Masterpiece.

 

I'm sorry, did they at some point stop making a majority of Transformers toys for kids when they released the Masterpiece line? Did I miss something here? Did Hasbro stop marketing Transformers toys towards children?

 

 

 

 

I'm not going to direct this to any one person or post in particular, but I will say this: if you criticize a toyline for looking like it was made for kids, you have completely lost sight of what a toyline is.

 

I'm sure this is for me so I'll take it. It's cool that it looks like it's made for kids. Obviously too if you see the age recommendation on the box. Unrealistic and cartooney is what I said, not childish.

 

MNOG, the most fondly-remembered piece of media from 2001, was pretty much every bit as cartoony as the Okoto animations. Heck, it even had

, for christ's sake.

 

The patterns themselves, I still don't see what's unrealistic and cartoony about. They have some vents, some intricate shiny detailing, and some streaks of "body paint".

First off, let's not create animosity.

I'm fine with the animations! I loved the MNOG as much as the next guy, mate. I don't like how it was translated on to the chest pieces themselves. Again, if the intention was to create body paint, then I'll respect that decision.

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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One thing I noticed about the chest print is that it is gritty, and scratched up (at least Kopaka's is, so I assume they are all like this). I thought it helped make Kopaka seem less smooth, which is a complaint that a lot of people have about the shells. It also helps his color scheme a lot - if the chest plate was only gold, blue, or white, then a critical part of his color scheme would be missing.

 

I happen to be a big fan of classic Bionicle's molded armor pieces, because in my opinion they are a lot easier to MoC with than printed parts. But I don't think they would be fitting on the new Toa, and the printed designs actually look really good, and not over-the-top cartooney.

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One thing I noticed about the chest print is that it is gritty, and scratched up (at least Kopaka's is, so I assume they are all like this). I thought it helped make Kopaka seem less smooth, which is a complaint that a lot of people have about the shells. It also helps his color scheme a lot - if the chest plate was only gold, blue, or white, then a critical part of his color scheme would be missing.

 

I happen to be a big fan of classic Bionicle's molded armor pieces, because in my opinion they are a lot easier to MoC with than printed parts. But I don't think they would be fitting on the new Toa, and the printed designs actually look really good, and not over-the-top cartooney.

Yeah I think cartoon was a mistake on my part. I didn't realize it was war paint. Still kinda odd but it's not worth griping or getting irked over.

Catch flies with honey, or catch honeys by being fly.

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