JAG18 Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 I phrased the title like that in case anyone thinks Bionicle didn't do anything unique or special, because considering how long the line ran and how big the community on this site used to be, it must have at least done something right. My thoughts: Genre bending: Bionicle started with robots (cyborgs I know) wielding magic powers, living in huts, and telling legends around a campfire, all on a tropical island. While it arguably became more sci-fi and superhero as the story went on, this still is the most obvious unique thing about Bionicle. Massive interconnected story: if you were a nerd in the 2000s then you (probably?) loved the sense of accomplishment you got when you figured out how every piece of lore fit together into one big story. It was liking assembling the prototype robot, but instead of 6 big pieces it was dozens of comics, movies, books, games, serials, and Greg quotes. It didn't need to go so hard: the Bionicle story existed to sell toys, it could have easily just been like an 80s cartoon: 2d characters, lots of flashy action, and trying to show off as many toys as possible. Instead, Bionicle had some fleshed out characters and told some cool stories. Greg himself put way more work into the story then you he had to. What about you? 1 Quote Close up of a Camembert Cheese on Wooden Table by Laker on Pexels
Archius Posted December 23, 2024 Posted December 23, 2024 Cool robots, consistent world building and mysterious/eerie atmosphere. I was instantly hooked. 2 Quote
ToaHordikaMatau-o5g Posted December 23, 2024 Posted December 23, 2024 The 2006-2007 saga and the character of Matoro, his story and growth of his character that lead to his ultimate impactful sacrifice. 1 Quote
Master Inika Posted December 23, 2024 Posted December 23, 2024 1) It was able to do so much. When you think of BIONICLE music, what do you think of? Techno? Tribal? Classical? The answer is yes. 2) It was the only franchise for young boys based on Polynesian mythology. 3) The process of collecting the various books and comics and working out how they all fit together was just as gratifying as collecting the sets themselves. The story was not spoon-fed to us, it took mental investment to appreciate how wide the scope of the story was and knew how to make us feel rewarded for putting in the time and effort to consume multiple different forms of media. 4) Everything to do with Mata Nui Online Game. Every time I play it I'm just stunned that it was produced and distributed over the internet for free. 3 Quote "You are an absolute in these uncertain times. Your past is forgotten, and your future is an empty book. You must find your own destiny, my brave adventurer." -- Turaga Nokama Click here to visit my library!
Nato G Posted December 23, 2024 Posted December 23, 2024 There were a lot of elements that made Bionicle stand out as unique. To me, the biggest one is that both the sets and story encouraged creativity to a degree that we rarely see in kids toy lines. The universe is so vast and rich that fans could could easily come up with their own heroes and villains within the world that could effortlessly exist alongside the main story. Even some of the more controversial aspects - like introducing multiple Makuta, or the multiverse - just made it easier for people to tell their own stories without fear of it not being "canon compliant". 1 Quote Embers - A Bionicle Saga - Chapters/Review Ballads of the Bionicle - lore/character songs BZPRPG Characters - Minnorak, Kain, T'harrak, Savis, Vazaria, Lash, The Outsiders Ghosts Of Bara Magna - Ash Tribe - Precipere - Kehla, Somok, Skrall, Gayle, Avinus, Zha'ar
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