LEGO Bricktober Train Station Review for MF0

The Box

Here we have the second set for 2015 Bricktober, 10/4-10/10. Let's get started!

A frame...on wheels!

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

As you can see I was able to build a decent frame out of this set; a frame that utilizes the Roller Skates. +5 Points. Also the set itself can be great on the battlefield.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part

$19.99 / 180 parts = $0.11 per part, just above the golden ratio. Thankfully I had a gift card and TRU bucks for this purchase. -10 points.

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

There is a selection of usable parts. +5 points.

Parts 3

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

Sort of have to say yes given I built a frame but key word here is sort of. +5 points

The Set

Total: Despite the hit of going over the golden ratio we have a B+ set! It isn't my greatest frame built from this but I really like I used the skates in a frame build. I also like the set build itself to add to my battlefield but doesn't look has cool as the Hotel.

For Scale

Sets so far and Scale

Side by Side

LEGO Bricktober Hotel Review for MF0

The Box

Here we have the first set for this year's (2015) Bricktober series of Toys R Us Exclusive LEGOs. This is for the first week of 9/27-10/3 but I am sure leftovers will still be on the shelves during the weeks of other sets or after Bricktober is over.

Sticker

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Honestly, I forgot to try and build a frame from this set. It creatures a gorgeous 4p scale hotel that will easily look nice on anyone's battlefield. Though given the part selection, I think you be hard press to get a frame out of it. 0 points.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part

$19.99 / 204 = $0.10 which puts this set right at the golden ratio. 0 points.

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

There are a few useful parts that could be used in a build. +5 points

Parts 3

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

As expected it does not. -5 points.

The Set- There is a pool!

Total: B is is better then I was expecting and I think my first straight B! It isn't the greatest set for MF0 but I love it for being so small, pretty and detailed despite being small. I will be adding this to my terrain options.

Road to PAX East 2016: As the Corvid Flies - Plans and Blogs!

So the other day Raymond (Mantis King) and I got together on a Google Hangout to talk about plans for PAX East 2016. Some of it are hard goals and others are a bit softer:

Hard

1) Dark Cloud Blogs vs. The Mobile Frame Garage: A clash of mini-figure scale frame combat! You have read the reviews and seen the rivalry! Watch these two take Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack to an unseen scale! DOUBLE THE SIZE! DOUBLE THE DESTRUCTION! (In short Raymond and I are doubling the game's scale and having a public face off!)

2) Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack Tournament! Think you can survive the gauntlet of battle after battle, hours of MF0 in a row! Crave some prizes and the taste of victory!

Soft

3) Mobile Frame Zero Review Panel! We aren't talking about what makes this game great (Well, might be a little of that). We are talking about all the great people that give the heads up of LEGO and other brands of building blocks sets to buy or not to buy. We aren't sure what the panel would be about exactly but we know what kind of people we want on it, SET REVIEWERS!!! What do you think?

4) MF0: Music Vid! A long time ago I wrote a quick parody of Hello from Book of Mormon about our little battle game. Who would like to take that to the next level and help make a MFVA (Mobile Frame Music Video!)?

Bonus

5) A regular online vid chat! Well, I got this one started already and it will be every other month on the second Tuesday starting Oct 13! I can only have 10 in the chat so the guests will be limited but any open slots means I will put the entrance link in the watch room for first come first serve basis.

So are you coming to PAX East? Come check us out! Looking for a reason to come to PAX East? I just listed some! Want this to be the Year of MFZ at PAX East 2016? Should we try to fit Intercept Orbit into it too? Come join the conversation in the Hanger!

Blogs

So, while I have your attention I want to talk about this blog(s) for a second. Just some fun random stuff. First, thanks to all my readers and special credit to those that ready the non-MF0 stuff too.

Even when I am not posting regularly, Dark Cloud seems weekly if not daily views. The amount isn't anything special but the fact makes me feel 'Wow!' Dark Cloud Blogs shows up on the first page of a Google search; this is also fantastic.

There is a widely range of number of views to my various set review posts. I think it might of something to popular search terms.

Mobile Frame Zero: Scales, Sizes and Standards currently has the most views.

Thanks for your time!

Mega Bloks Call of Duty Juggernaut Review for MF0

The Box

So I have been eyeing this one for awhile because of the shield but never picked it up because it was a horrible price ratio. When I had earned some TRU bucks I figure I go ahead and pick it up! Sorry about the poor lighting in the photos.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

No, I couldn't but I was expecting to honestly. There are some good parts in here but not enough to get something out of it. -5 points

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part

$6.99 / 47 = $0.15 per part. Certainly one of the worse over ratio I have seen which is why I did not buy it without some 'free money'. -10 points

Parts 2

If you can't build something right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

This is a yes, look at Parts 1 but it low but the pillar could be for some fun cover or such. +5 points

The Set

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? 

No, not at all. As I said, a few but not enough to give it yes in any shape. -5 points

Chub using Shield 1

Total: C set, one of the worse and very very close to being a C-. I only got this for the Shield and only paid a dollar for it. If there was a BrickLink for Mega Bloks where I could buy just the shields, I would! This thing looks great in the hands of a Chub!

LEGO Jurassic World Gallimimus Trap Review for MF0

The Bag, Sorry about the Crappy Photo.

So I got this polybag with my pre-order of LEGO Jurassic World Video Game. It is the best pre-order LEGO game bonus to date. Usually you just get a minifigure but here we have a micro set! I was planning to do a showcase on it given I didn't pay for it BUT then I got a email from TRU saying this same poly is there current 'Buy $30 of LEGO get this free set'. My local one hasn't carried it yet and I can't find any US pricing for it. So, going off history and the currency collector suggestion we will presume this is a $3.99 set for now.

This counts, right?

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Well, I sort of utilized the dino to be able to make something, which is what I wanted to do in the first place but some might not like that idea.

Dino: +5
No Dino: -5

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.

Going off our presume price of $3.99/29 parts = $0.14 a part! Wow -10

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

There are a few parts, but not a lot of 'core' stuff but the chain could be some fun! +5

Parts 3 - The Gallimimus - which shouldn't have teeth like that...

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

This is a flat out no. -5

The Set

Total: Well for the 'Dino Frame' we get a B- but the way up cost might push it to a B. Without the 'Dino Frame' we get a C. Though I think the Jurassic World line has some of the highest franchise tax I have seen so not surprising...though you might see some more 'Dino Frames'

LEGO Juniors Race Car Rally Review for MF0

The Box

Picked this up AWHILE ago, mostly for the reusable container which now holds all my 2x4 bricks and bigger.

Presenting...Diesel Punk!

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Got a basic and simple Hi-Legs like frame but I rather like it but had to really shake the tree. +5 points.

Parts 1 - Been wanting to play with that Intake piece for awhile.

Parts 2 - These 1x4 mod plates with the 'pipe' angle extensions are interesting

Parts 3 - The worse things in this set.

Parts 4 - Some interesting looking things here

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.

$29.99 / 350 pieces = $0.09 per piece. Just under the ratio for +5 points!

Parts 5

Parts 6

Parts 7

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

There are some common parts here along with someones I think could be interesting to see used. +5 points.

The Pime Build from this Junior Set.

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

Now I did get a frame out of this set which usually means this question usually is an auto yes BUT looking at the ratio of truly useful parts vs 'wall pieces' things start getting iffy. I think I am going to have to go with a -5 for this set.

Close look on the Trophy - Winner!!!

Total: We have a A- for this set but could be said A if you are looking to use the container to store your stuff! Honestly I am surprised we don't see a lot more builds using that intake/engine block piece! Has it been use in a frame chef? Does the hanger still do that?

Mixel Series 1 Bonus - Mixel Cards

If you missed Mixel Series 1 Week you can find the three reviews here: Infernites, Cragsters and Electroids.

Repeating in these reviews I mention you could just field the Mixel and it true though you might have to toss a weapon or a shield into their hands to round them out. With that spirit in mind I present Mixel Mobile Frame Cards given suggested load outs of the Mixels as is!