MajorManiac
Top 1000 Contributor
Share MajorManiac's profile
MajorManiac's Stats
MajorManiac's Stats
- 4.5Average Rating
- 70Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 13Review Count
- May 13, 2017First Review
- May 21, 2019Last Review
Avengers Compound Battle
Avengers Compound Battle
Posted:May 21, 2019
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Great Set with a few missed opportunities
" Major Maniac here reviewing the battle of Avenger's Station set. As I continue to critique sets, I want to be clear as to how I critique them and what I am looking for in a set. For instance, with a set featuring a vehicle like the Quinjet, I look for room for all of the intended minifigs, compartments or places for their accessories, and special features of that vehicle. For a set featuring a building like this; I look for function of the building, design, and special features. For both types of sets though, I also look for overall playability. So lets take a look at the Avenger's Station.
The function of the station is fairly well balanced. It has a two story building with a fully functional garage attached to it. Just like I'd expect from a super hero compound, the entire building is packed with defensive systems which add to the playability. There are also nice features like the rotating communications dish, the front gate, and the tool station next to the garage. From a design perspective though, there are a few misses. The interior of the building has a conference room which is just boring. The coolest thing about the conference room is the rotating wall/door that leads to the bridge to the garage. The first floor features a since lab which is just a single computer station and a weird room that stores the infinity gauntlet. Again, there is nothing exciting about that. The garage portion however is really cool because the design incorporate a helipad on the top of that building. It also serves as kind of a front gate for the compound. Overall, special features are seriously lacking. What do I mean by special features? This is supposed to be a big battle scene, where are the exploding walls? We've seen that in past buildings. Why are there only two infinity stones in the gauntlet? Why is there only one outrider with Thanos. There are literally five avengers and only two bad guys. All of these items add up to the playability. As a kid at heart, the vehicles, minifigs, and stud shooters are great, but what takes the playability over the top are special features. Why not have a science station on the first floor featuring the quantum tunnel that has a trap door? A kid can pretend that the avenger on the platform just time traveled as it falls through the trap door. That's a special feature which allows a kid to build a story. Why not have the exploding walls as Thanos attacks? That again helps to build an imaginative story. When it comes to the playability, the bad guys are seriously over powered by the good guys. Having an outrider or chituari tank attacking with Thanos, would have made this set so much better. Add a few more bad guys. This is it, this is the endgame; make this the epic battle scene we need and want as kids and collectors.
I could literally write a small paper on how I would have created this line of Endgame sets differently. Overall, this is still a good set. There are cool features that a kid will love. I think there are missed opportunities though that would have made it better. I give it a four because the building is still cool, the features are great, and you do get a lot of minifigs. It would have been a five if we at least had gotten more bad guys or an attack tank or something to help balance the good vs evil powers.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+7points
8of 9found this review helpful.
Thanos: Ultimate Battle
Thanos: Ultimate Battle
Posted:May 6, 2019
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
The Milano Flies Again...
" Major Maniac here reviewing the latest edition of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Milano. This is such a cool concept of having to get two separate sets that you can join together to create an ultimate ship. I think the first version of the Milano was still the best, but this version is really cool and unique. I love that it has a cargo hold for the Infinity Gauntlet.
The two biggest critiques is that Thanos isn't attacking with any type of vehicle. Its just him so the good guy/bad guy balance isn't really there. The second critique is that the Milano doesn't really fit all of the characters and the accessories very well. With such a large vehicle, I would like there to be space for all of the minifigs and their accessories.
Overall, this is still a cool set and you should really get this entire line of sets in order to fully appreciate the playability.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
-1point
0of 1found this review helpful.
Posted:May 6, 2019
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Ironman Vault is Open...
" Major Maniac here reviewing the Tony Stark's Ironman Vault. We finally got an Ironman vault; this thing is cool! It comes with four unique Ironman suites, and some cool little features that exemplify Tony Stark's style. The set was clearly designed to be joined with another one of these sets so you can not only complete the circle, but I think it was also designed so you can stack multiple suite sections on top of each other; making multiple levels. What does this mean for you? You can add multiple of these sets together to add to the fun and playability. I absolutely want to buy a few more so I can take all of my different Ironman suits and display them here.
Biggest con, there are only two bad guys attacking the vault. Come on, lets give Ironman a challenge and attack him with more than just two Outryder foot soldiers. The only other minor con that I have is that the blue ironman mech doesn't really fit in. There isn't place for it.
All in all, this is a cool set, it has new and unique details that we haven't seen yet for Ironman and I think it offers a lot of playability.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Build Time:
01
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+1point
3of 5found this review helpful.
Avengers Ultimate Quinjet
Avengers Ultimate Quinjet
Posted:May 6, 2019
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Lego Finally Listened...
" Major Maniac here reviewing the Ultimate Quin-jet... Guys, Lego finally listened to me. I've been critiquing vehicle sets for a while asking for more practical elements and playability. I'll try to keep this short, but essentially I look for enough seats/space for the minifies, storage for accessories, and special features. This quin-jet has it all.
The cockpit is large with plenty of room for the minifies to fit. Even Rocket Racoon fits, although the canopy doesn't close fully. Just behind the cockpit is a passenger section with room for the rest of the Avengers, including Rocket and there are hooks on the walls for the minifigs' accessories. Behind that is a large compartment that not only houses a cool little attack trike, but also a gatling stud shooter which is hidden and folds out of the back of the jet. Everything is fairly easily accessible and its just awesome. My only criticism is that there are only two Chitauri foot soldiers as the bad guys. You have a large quin-jet with serious firepower and four Avengers, against two alien soldiers. I wish they would have included some type of attack tank or drop ship or even just a fighting position with a big stud shooter of some type for the quin-jet and the Avengers to be up against.
All of that being said, this is a really cool set, one of my favorites and I'm really happy that Lego has made these changes. Lego, if you're listening, give us another line of Avengers sets featuring the bad guys; drop ships, battle vehicles, and/or enemy booster sets with additional minifigs. This will allow collectors and kids to stage their own epic battles.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
01
hrs
Build Time:
30
mins
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+2points
4of 6found this review helpful.
Winter Village Fire Station
Winter Village Fire Station
Posted:November 25, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Nailed It!!!
" Major Maniac here, reviewing the Winter Village Fire Station and I gotta say, Lego Nailed It. Sure, this set is a little costly at $100, but you get a two story building. I'm not just talking about the one story with an attic style buildings that the other winter village sets have. This building has two full stories, a fire truck, a bunch of minifigs, and the cute detailed look that the winter village sets are known for. This is a great addition to the town, and lego is on the right path of adding more buildings to this series of Legos. I love watching the winter village grow each year. So, pros and cons:
Cons: Cost, it is a little costly at $100.
Pros: Sturdy Build, (not like the flimsy train station), Practical vehicle in terms of a fire truck with a fire station, minifigs are great, (have ya seen the little baby), not too many extras!
Pros: Sturdy Build, (not like the flimsy train station), Practical vehicle in terms of a fire truck with a fire station, minifigs are great, (have ya seen the little baby), not too many extras!
What I mean by that last comment is simple. Often with these winter village sets, Lego likes to add a bunch of stuff other than just the building; i.e. Christmas trees, Vehicles, Benches, Lamp Posts, Stands, and lots of other little things to create detailed little scenes. Although this set still has some of that, its not too over the top. Mostly, I just want the buildings and vehicles. I don't need the rest of the extras.
Overall, great set and I already can't wait to see next year's as long as they keep this up.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
02
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+21points
33of 45found this review helpful.
Posted:September 29, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
4
/
5
Needs a little improvement, but still awesome!
" Major Maniac here reviewing the roller coaster. I mostly stick to the modular buildings, trains, and marvel set, but when Lego came out with this, I had to have it. What an awesome set and perfect addition to the line of fair rides that Lego has started. (I'm hoping to see the teacups, zipper, scrambler, or swings in the future.). So lets get to it.
This is a simple, yet complex build. Its simple because of the same build techniques used over and over. But its complex in the way that it all fits together. The structure is fairly rigid with the exception of a few critical weak points. I will admit, I was building this on a card table, so it was not entirely level or solid. I think that lack of stability highlighted some of the issues I was having.
Basically, there are a couple of critical weak points which are not supported well. Those weak points cause structural failures preventing the coaster from operating correctly. When I add this set to a permanent layout, I plan to modify it in order to improve the structure. Other than that, it is still a really cool set.
There are lots of characters, the additional stands make it feel like its part of a bigger park or fair, and its easily motorized. This set will look great with the Ferris wheel and Carousel.
Overall, a few hiccups, but still a great set!
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
03
days
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Very Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
-2points
3of 8found this review helpful.
Ferris Wheel
Ferris Wheel
Posted:September 29, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Another Piece for the Fair
" Major Maniac here reviewing the Ferris Wheel. I wasn't going to buy this set because I am mostly in to the trains, modular buildings, and Marvel sets. That being said, when Lego came out with the roller coaster, well, suddenly my collection needed a fair. I was a little nervous about this set because I didn't think it was going to be structurally sound. That being said, once I started to build it, I was surprised at how strong it actually was. The wheel especially looks flimsy, but held together very well. Awesome character, great playability, and easily motorized. It took about 12 hours to build, but my six year old was helping me, which slowed the build down. I think I could have had it done in about five. Overall, this is a great set.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
12
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
0points
0of 0found this review helpful.
Carousel
Carousel
Posted:September 29, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Glad I bought in!
" Major Maniac here reviewing the Lego Carousel. I wasn't going to buy this set until Lego came out with the Roller Coaster. That set swayed me, so here I am. Plain and simple, this is a great set. You get lots of mini figs, it can easily be motorized, there's lots of character and great playability. I love how my daughters' faces lit up when I turned the motor on and let them play. I really don't have any cons other than the price. It is expensive, but it has a lot of detail, is well structured, and I built it in about five or six hours. Overall, really a great set.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
05
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+1point
1of 1found this review helpful.
Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown
Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown
Posted:July 4, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Worth The Money
" Major Maniac here reviewing the awesome Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown. I am a collector of Marvel Superheroes, City Trains, and Modulars.
This set has it all. I love having Lego buildings which can serve as a "set" for your characters. In this case of have not one, but two "good guy" bases between the sanctum and Spiderman's apartment. Lots of cool little features from blow out walls to trap doors. I love this set. The only thing I would have liked to see is some type of "bad guy" vehicle maybe. Something that would have had blasters for these two baddies, but all in all, I love this set.
I purchased two so I can try to make it into a modular.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
04
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
5
/
5
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
-3points
0of 3found this review helpful.
The Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition
The Hulkbuster: Ultron Edition
Posted:July 4, 2018
MajorManiac
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
3
/
5
Great Detail, But missteps make it average
" Major Maniac here, reviewing the Ultimate Hulkbuster Armor. I am a fan and collector of the Marvel Sets, City Trains, and Modulars.
As a collector, this is the perfect set to build and display. It has a lot of detail, and the MK43 is a really nice touch to go with it. That being said, there were definite missteps. First, the "Arch Reactor" is a simple yellow light brick that the designers put in the set. It looks really out of place when you activate it. Its cool to have a working light, but not as cool since its not the right color. That's like giving Darth Vader a purple light saber; it just doesn't work.
Second, even though the hulkbuster is posable, the knees don't bend and the arms don't twist so you can't create the wide variety of poses that you can make with small, less detailed builds. This is disappointing considering the level of detail and size. You'd think the designers would have been able to do something about that.
Third, the playability is really lacking because despite the size of this set, its not that sturdy. Being a collector, its not a big deal, but considering this is still a toy meant for kids, I feel it would fall apart fairly easily. What good is a toy if it falls apart, even if it is LEGO.
Overall, this is a detailed build, but it feels delicate and has some flaws.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From:
United States
State:
Nevada
Age:
35-44
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
03
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
2
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
3
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
0points
1of 2found this review helpful.