Set Review: 71314 Storm Beast

[Hapori Tohu]

Today BZPower is kicking off our reviews of the summer 2016 Bionicle sets that have been appearing on store shelves here and there around the US and elsewhere. Out of the gates we have 71314 Storm Beast, one of three such creatures in this wave. If you're interested in finding out if this set is worth braving a summer thunderstorm to pick up, read on to check out our video and in-depth review!

 

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[Ta-metru_defender]

Dude, that's a really dope play feature.

[Tarn]

The exposed sockets on the hands and the really long upper arms with the little crystal armor pieces looks awkward but other than that, I really like this guy. The dark blue, the play feature, it's pretty cool.

​Wasn't really expecting their faces to function like masks and fit on the regular heads. That's really neat too.

[Taria Pakari]

I wasn't really too fussed about the beast sets, but seeing this one in full has made me change my mind.

[Pohaturon]

Man, I really really want this set.

 

I absolutely love Skull Scorpio's play-function, and this seems like something of a dramatic upgrade to a similar basic concept (though with obvious differences).

 

I'm also really digging the earth-blue shells and mask. The red 2M axles and open ball sockets on the hands don't irk me too much. Both from a design standpoint and pieces standpoint (I don't have a lot of G2 sets, so many of the non-new pieces in it are "new" to me) this is a great set.

 

Plus, you know, dem technic bits.

 

Stormy FTW.

 

[Lyichir]

Good review! I'm glad to hear that Storm Beast doesn't disappoint, since from the initial Toy Fair pics he definitely seemed like the most promising beast design. I'm also glad to hear that the new crystal shell is rotationally symmetrical—that'll keep me from losing sleep over how I have it aligned on sets and MOCs.

 

I absolutely love Skull Scorpio's play-function, and this seems like something of a dramatic upgrade to a similar basic concept (though with obvious differences).

The parts it uses may be similar to those from Skull Scorpio, but as far as functionality is concerned it actually reminds me more of Skull Basher, in that using a non-standard build creates a function with more distinct options than a standard gearbox would allow. While you could easily achieve the same arm-swinging motion with the standard 2015 gearbox, it would only allow the two arms to move in opposite directions from one another—this way, the two arms can "swipe" in unison, as well.

[The Invisible Handman]

Good to see a Bzp review of storm beast, his arms may suck but I cant help but respect the set for it's crazy play function. It's ambitious for a small set and I love it.

[Jobber]

The play feature is pretty sweet, and the unique color scheme of blue and green is even better. Can't wait to pick this up.

[Rooster Nui]

Yeah, I've got extra respect for the incorporated puppet-like function. That's very original and I hope to see more functions with creativity like that in the future.

[Lenny7092]

Storm Beast looks pretty impressive. I like his tail. It's cool to have a mask-grabbing Shadow-Trap-like thing for a tip. The trans-yellow Skull Spiders that he has for claws look fantastic, and so is his blue mask and rocky jaw.

There are two things that bother me:

1. Those black stick-like things that connect his arms to the tail. Why connecting them? I think it seems a bit restricted by moving the parts independently.

2. His hands has empty sockets on top. Looks strange on him.

 

Anyway, this set is a must-have because of his tail and new trans-yellow pieces.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Lenny7092

[Black Six]

1. Those black stick-like things that connect his arms to the tail. Why connecting them? I think it seems a bit restricted by moving the parts independently.

Those are the parts that make his play feature work. Without them there would be no way to make his arms move when you move his tail.

[Rahkshi Lalonde]

i love Storm Beast, and if it weren't for the way the others use the green//yellow color as "corruption" i'd just as soon assume the claws and head-crest on this guy were supposed to be lightning,

 

i still will tbh cuz lightning-bolt fingers is rad.

[Toa of Ice - 1987]

I wonder why lego didnt fill in the ball holes in his arms. All it would take on each arm would be a black ball joint-sphere and either the lightning pieces from hero factory set dragonbolt or a translucent blue/fluorescent green version of that new small flame piece we've seen on many bionicle g2 sets.

 

Using these suggestions would give the impression that storm beast had arms that are crackling with powerful lightning energy.

Edited May 30, 2016 by necross hordika

[Aanchir]

I wonder why lego didnt fill in the ball holes in his arms. All it would take on each arm would be a black ball joint-sphere and either the lightning pieces from hero factory set dragonbolt or a translucent blue/fluorescent green version of that new small flame piece we've seen on many bionicle g2 sets.

 

Using these suggestions would give the impression that storm beast had arms that are crackling with powerful lightning energy.

While that could be a pretty great way to add to the set, I imagine it probably came down to budget. All three beasts have a lot of pieces for $15 Bionicle sets. And perhaps some of the parts Storm Beast has like the extra set of feet used for its claws might've eaten up more of the budget than the parts used for, say, Lava Beast.

[Ballom Nom Nom]

Some pretty weird looking anatomy on this guy, I have to say. Still, from the front he still looks pretty decent. I'm glad that those heads seem to work alright, and don't have issues with the weight on the face (given they connect just like the other new masks with only friction).

 

It's too bad to get some dark blue shells we need to buy such a big set too. I'll definitely BrickLink those if I want any of them.

 

~B~

[MrSciFiGuy]

Really love his function. Only thing I dont like is the open sockets. Definitely buying doubles of this set. Love the metru blue shells 

[Toa Smoke Monster]

Storm Beast looks great, and its function sounds cool too. Though I'm still not sure if I'm picking it up for not. I may get it or Quake Beast after I get Ekimu and Umarak, but I haven't decided yet. 

 

Thanks for the review!

[VahiHolder02]

Excellent review! I know 'Metru blue' got kind of old after a while, but I am sure glad to see it come back in multiple sets this year. It's a color with wide application and MOCing potential.

[Lyichir]

Excellent review! I know 'Metru blue' got kind of old after a while, but I am sure glad to see it come back in multiple sets this year. It's a color with wide application and MOCing potential.

It helps that most of the sets this year use it with much more vivid colors. The transparent colors on Storm Beast really make its color scheme pop, and Kopaka uses Earth Blue as more of a subdued accent color. I'd be much less pleased with the color's return if sets were still using color schemes limited to that and dark bley.