LEGO Friends Discussion

[Aanchir]

Hey everyone! As I'm sure you know, LEGO Friends is one of LEGO's most popular themes. We don't see much discussion of it here (probably largely due to our demographics and it being so different from what brought most of us to BZPower), but I wanted to create a place to share our thoughts on this theme. What are your favorite sets? What kinds of sets or series of sets do you hope the theme includes in the future?

For the most part, Friends doesn't appeal to me as much as fantasy adventure themes like Bionicle, Ninjago, or Elves, and I've never really been able to get into the story. However, it's had some outstanding set designs. My favorite sets to date have been the two ships, Dolphin Cruiser and Sunshine Catamaran. Compared to LEGO boats and ships in most other themes, they feel like extremely fun, detailed, and livable spaces. Their colors also give them a sunny and tropical vibe. A set I love but don't currently have on my wish list is the Heartlake Hospital, which is easily the most detailed LEGO hospital set ever. A smaller set I love is Heartlake Pizzeria for its level of detail and rustic Italian aesthetic.

 

Some cool things I'd love to see in LEGO Friends in the future would be a "space camp" wave or a spooky mystery-solving wave in the spirit of Scooby-Doo or Nancy Drew. I would also love to see more variety of mini-dolls, including shorter "child" characters and more characters with glasses. Perhaps a bit selfishly, I especially want a male character with glasses so I can make a mini-doll sigfig!

[ToaTImeLord]

I think the line was a bold move by LEGO that paid of big time.

I mostly buy the sets for parts but they do have great design techniques.

[xccj]

While I appreciate that the theme is aiming for a new audience and doing a good job of it, I'm not 100% impressed with a lot of the designs. They're not completely dumbed down compared to some themes from the past... but the designs are generally simple and not too exciting. The various vehicles and buildings have worked, and they're probably for better play value for the target audience. (Although there are a few exceptions... the Amusement Park sets from last year were pretty well done.)

 

The colors have been the biggest draw for me, because even if the building designs are boring, they're utilizing bricks I want in new pastel colors, so that has definitely convinced me to buy a few of these. And since half the draft sets at my local LUG have been Friends since the theme came out, I expect a lot of other AFOLs feel the same way.

 

I agree that the Elves line has been more appealing, with it's more fantasy designs that still utilize the pastel colors. Friends feels more like "City with Minidolls" which is well and fine... but I'm not a big fan of City sets. For me, Friends sets are generally just parts packs. (Although the Hot Air Balloon and Hot Dog cart are good sets and probably my favorites of the ones I've bought.) And it is a shame that the minidoll parts don't mix in with regular minifigures, besides the hair. Friends does have a bit more diversity than Lego City, and it would be nice to incorporate those elements into my other figs if I had the chance. (Instead I have to rely on Super Heroes or Star Wars to release something.)

 

[Ta-metru_defender]

Alright, finally, a home for my new favorite joke.

 

Why does everyone get along on the Sunshine Catamaran?

 

Because it's a friendship