6018 - Battle Dragon

Generally speaking, LEGO© had tight quality control over manufacturing tolerances when it came to making their bricks however when it was time to package them, things slipped through the cracks. As a result of one such crack, this set emerged as a bit of an odd ball. Clearly the boat and minifigs are styled in line with the Black Knights faction but obviously the shield is from the Black Falcons.

What gives? To be honest, when I was younger I never gave it a thought. It gave me some new minifigs I didn't have before, my first crossbow and another barrel. I think it's just an error (that's easily fixed) but to dream up an excuse, it could well have been a case of some disguised Black Falcon guys making off in a stolen boat. Anyway, it's small but it's neat and easily integrates into a water scene. I like it.

And the Classic-Castle inspired scoring is;

Pieces: 5/10
Design: 6/10
Minifigs / Accessories: 6/10
Playability: 4/10

Overall: 5.25
(Nostalgia: 7/10)

6018 - Battle Dragon
Parts list and instructions

6024 - Bandit Ambush

This is another set that I acquired more recently than most. I must admit that while I'm not a big fan of the newer releases, I was happy to pick up a few from when the Castle lineup was transitioning from it's 'Golden Age' to what it has become. Also, while I'm not exactly sure how the Dark Forest faction fits in, on the surface it seemed to be the continuation of the Forestmen which coerced me to buy into it.

The Bandit Ambush isn't anything great but it includes pieces I had but in colours I didn't have like brown half arches, black spears and another BURP. Other than a few neat minifigs, some weapons and other bits and pieces, there's not much else to tell. You can't do a whole lot with it other than supplement the factions numbers. But I guess this is the point for some of these mediocre sets.

And the Classic-Castle inspired scoring is;

Pieces: 6/10
Design: 4/10
Minifigs / Accessories: 5/10
Playability: 4/10

Overall: 4.8
(Nostalgia: 0/1)


6024 - Bandit Ambush
Parts list and instructions

6080 - King's Castle

I chose to review this one next for a few reasons; it starts another faction, it's a great set but it's the first review of a set I didn't own as a kid. To me this set was king. Unfortunately, you needed to be a king to afford it so I never stood a chance at getting it as a kid but it did give me something to dream about and I was pretty happy when I won one on eBay. Finally I had acquired the out of reach Lion Crest Castle.

What's there to say that no one's already said? It's BIG. It dwarfs my Knights Castle and has a host of minifigs. I quite liked the gatehouse even if it was empty apart from the porticulis which can be a touch flimsy. The set doesn't contain a great number of different pieces but clearly lots of them. I have to say that the towers are a touch cramped when compared to the towers in the Kinght's Castle but I do like the use of cylinders to break up and add detail to the corners.

It might have taken me the best part of 20 years to acquire but it was worth getting in the end.

And the Classic-Castle inspired scoring is;

Pieces: 7/10
Design: 8/10
Minifigs / Accessories: 8/10
Playability: 8/10

Overall: 7.8
(Nostalgia: 7/10)

6080 - King's Castle
Parts list and instructions