Sink or Swim...
Today I'm taking a look at my second set from the first wave of LEGO's Hidden Side theme. This 310 piece set, contains a fishing (shrimp) boat, a kayak, an alligator, 4 minifigs and Spencer the ghost dog.
In my eagerness to get this built I didn't get any build pics, or indeed a box snap, but here is a stock image. Once again, I have to point out the distinctive and unique box art that TLG has come up with for this series. It really does stand out from other themes on the shelf.
In my eagerness to get this built I didn't get any build pics, or indeed a box snap, but here is a stock image. Once again, I have to point out the distinctive and unique box art that TLG has come up with for this series. It really does stand out from other themes on the shelf.
Onto the build itself... Inside the box, we get 3 numbered bags of parts, instructions,a sticker sheet and a loose, one piece kayak.
Bag 1 builds a small rocky island, constructed on angled plates and nicely detailed with light and dark grey slopes. this is where the boat can run aground. We also get some greenery included in this part of the build for some texture and added detail.
As the hidden side is a 'haunted' theme, the centre piece of the rocky outcrop can be flipped open on a hinge made from technic pins to reveal a hidden monster face. Constructed from lime green eyes and teeth against a black & grey 'face' This guy is certainly designed to spook our poor minifigs!
The second bag builds the front half of the 'Maria' The fishing boat that forms the bulk of this set. It's a nicely detailed build in white, sand green and dark blue. This is where the bulk of the stickers are used. We get some cracks on clear stickers for the cabin windows, a life ring on either side. The name of the vessel (designed to look hand painted) for port and starboard, and an instrument readout inside the cabin.
There is also an aerial and communication mast (I had an extra red trans round tile included in mine, the instructions only show one) and another sticker for the cabin roof depicting a shrimp logo. There is also an excellent hanging lantern on the side of the cabin. You can also see the 3 holes where the stern and bow section of the boat can connect.
Bag 3 builds the stern. You can see the crate for the haul of fish and shrimp and the 'engine' section take up the bulk of the space.
The 2 halves of the vessel can be attached to the rockwork via the technic axles which push into the underside of the hull... this is for the shipwrecked display (presumably caused by the rock monster) They attach pretty well and there is minimal worry about them accidentally coming off.
And of course the 2 parts can be connected to form a usable fishing boat.. aside from the rotating colour wheel on the engine that interacts with the AR app, there is nothing here that wouldn't fit in perfectly fine in regular City themed LEGO
The AR app interaction is pretty much the same gameplay as seen in the other sets... find the gloom, change the coloured piece when prompted.. tap on the Ghost to 'zap' them. It's fun to see the set come to life. But it is kind of limited, and I don't bother going back once I've done it once.
The good ship 'Maria' is crewed by Captain Jonas and his son Jonas Junior.... these 2 minifigs definitely look dressed for fishing with the captain in his yellow waterproofs and distinctive som'wester hat (yes, I looked it up!) He also wears black gloves on his hands and has a single sided, grey bearded face print.
Jonas junior features a dark blue beanie on top of a stubbled, surprised looking face. He wears dungarees in the same bright yellow as his father's outfit, with one button undone. And with a blue sweater underneath. Again he wears black gloves.
There is minimal back print but the strap from Juniors dungarees hanging down the back is a nice touch.
And of course we get the ghost hunting kids who are the main protagonists... followers of the blog will know that I have both of these versions already so I won't go in to detail. Both Jack and Parker come with alternate face prints and there Ghost busting mobile devices.
The yellow kayak is a single piece with enough exposed studs to include our heroes as well as Spencer the ghost dog (again the same one I looked at Previously) The small craft also includes a clip brick and a single oar.
Lastly we get this fantastic alligator.. this is atried and tested mould I've picked up a few times over the years, but included here in an exclusive colour that's unique to this set. With his pale colour and red eyes I've seen him described as albino, but he could possibly just be possessed too!
So another fun set from this theme. There is a lot of playability packed in here for a very cheap outlay. (Especially of you can pick it up even cheaper, as I managed to)
I just wish we had a bigger cast of heroes as the 2 main protagknisits of Jack and Parker are included in almost all of the sets. The fiction does give us a couple of other good guys but these are basically support characters and included in some of the other sets from the theme. I don't think the central cast is expanding with the second wave either.
A small complaint though and I am a fan of the Hidden Side overall as it blends in nicely into any City set up.. I will likely be picking up more sets in the future.
Thanks for looking as always..
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