Yearly Look Back 2025 Edition

It's time once again for another look back at the year that was.

The Central MA gaming group continued to meet this year. We only played three games together, which is down a lot from 2024. We debuted a new table setting and I look forward to using it more in the future.

I'm down 3 posts from last year but, still maintaining my "at least three posts per week" average for the thirteenth year running.

I managed 118 reviews this year; 1 Pantasy, 1 Well Played, 1 Zuru Max, 1 Hello Kitty, 1 Lazer Blocks, 1 Miniso, 2 Lele Brother, 3 Clone, 6 Brix, 7 Gundam Converge, 8 non-building block, 9 Brickcraft, 10 BLDR, 10 Make-It Bricks, 27 Lego, and 30 Block Tech. That comes out to an average of 9.8 per month.

I made 1 War College and 21 Terrain Workshop posts this year. Which is a decrease in War College posts but an increase in Terrain Workshop posts. I'm still hoping to do more War College posts but I think the lack of playing time had an effect on that.  I did make 4 alternate/rule variation posts this year and had two playtests.  Hopefully I'll be able to make the final adjustments to my Weather rules in 2026.

I'm now at 1.97M views, which is roughly another 770K views since last year. I might break 2 million sometime in January.  Thank you to everyone for the continued readership.

Keep on gaming and I'll see you next year. :-)

Thoughts on Movement

This was originally supposed to be a War College post but it's more of a set of disjointed, random thoughts about Movement systems and Movement within the game.  And for a next to last post in a random, disjointed year this will do nicely.

There's always a lot of confusion with new players about Movement systems and the "special ability" for that System and when it's available.  All the other Systems get a "special ability" when you equip two of those Systems.  Movement has the "special ability" front-loaded meaning it exists when you just have one of this System.  Although I have a long standing joke that the "special ability" for two Movement systems should be the ability to execute a Ramming attack like you can in Intercept Orbit.

Movement is what enables you to capture Stations -- which increases your score -- and allows you to run away from fights -- which keeps your score from decreasing, at least for a little while.  In one of the recent games we played the battlefield was built on a long, thin table.  As you can see from the battle report, the three attackers had trouble closing the distance to capture the Defender's Stations.  So you can see right there how important Movement can be in a game.

There are currently three Archetypes in the archive that feature Double Movement.  Two of those, the "Shoot & Scoot" (2Rd+d8/2G/2W) and the "Moving Wall" (2B/2G+d8/2W), might make a good fireteam if you can keep them close to each other while moving through the battlefield.  According to my (current, personal) Archetype statistics spreadsheet you currently have a 9% chance of encountering the first and an 11% chance of encountering the second archetype in a game.

Also in my Archetype statistics spreadsheet six other designs with double Movement systems have seen use in games.  Including the prior mentions, the full list is as follows: Moving Wall, Shoot & Scoot, Melee Sprinter (2Rh+d8/2G+d8), Fast Assault (2Rd/1B/2G), Fast Armored Scout (1B/2G+d8/1Y), Fast Stalker (2Ra+d8/2G), Fast Sniper (2Ra/1B/2G), and Fast Assault Scout (2Rd/2G/1Y).

Review: Brickcraft Lights Out Grinch Decoration

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas set that were Grinch themed.  They're doing it again this year but with a wider selection.  Let's take a look at one of them.

Box.  MSRP is $12.99, for a $0.09 Price per Piece.  I paid $9.97 at Walmart, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Strings w/End Studs & Climbing Grips, and String w/ End Studs.

Parts 2.  Plates, Wedge, Printed Tile,  Quarter Circle Plates, Quarter Circle

Studless Slopes, Corner Wedge, Tiles, Ball Joint Plates,, Studless Slopes, Wedge Studless Slopes, Wedge Plate, Claw Plates, Inverted Studless Slopes, 

Arches, Curved Slopes w/Cutout, Slopes, Brick, Axles, and Macaroni Tubes

Parts 3.  Wedges, Boat Tile, Rounded Corner Plate, Wedge Plate, Corner Plates, Inverted Tile, Plates, Double Sided Plates, Hinge Plates, Jumper, Ingots, Round Plate w/Bar, Brackets, Cheese Slope, Large Cheese Slope, Thin Axle Connectors, Wedge Studless Slope, Round Tile, Barrel Hinges, Ball w/Axle

Hole Double Curved Slopes, Inverted Clip Tiles, and Translucent Eggs.

Build.   Tubby Toes frame (2W) and Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  I like this set, it has some really useful parts.  Some of them being onesies is a little annoying though.  The score for the price I paid is +20 (A+).

Review: Pantasy 86817 Garfield Popsicle Fridge Magnet

I've bought a few of Pantasy's licensed sets but this is the first one I've reviewed.  My local Newbury Comics carries them as does Miniso.  For some reason they don't list the parts count anywhere so I had to do a manual count.  (I saw one online source listing it at 47 pieces but -- counting the Instructions and Stickers, which is what Lego does -- I get 50 pieces.)

Box.  MSRP is $19.99, for a $0.40 Price per Piece.  I paid $10.99 at Newbury Comics, for a $0.22 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Sticky Magnet.

Parts 2.  Garfield's Face.

Parts 3.  Bricks, Plates, Tiles, Arches, 1x1 Brick w/Axle Hole, Bricks

w/Studs on Side, 1x2 Brick w/Axle Hole, Curved Bricks w/Cutout,

Inverted Arches, Double Sided Plates, Axle, and Inverted Tile.

Build.  A Station and 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  I like the Medium Azure and the Tan Axle.  But the Price per Piece is really bad.  The score for the price I paid is -5 (B-).

Review: 30687 Bluey Tea Party Polybag

Let's take a moment away from the Christmas sets and do one last new new for 2025 polybag review.  I picked this up at Walmart.  It was in a midway display filled with other stocking stuffers -- so it's kinda Christmas-y.  I've also seen it at Barnes & Noble.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.15 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts.  Plate, Half Circle Plate, Round Plates, Fence,

Bricks, Corrugated Round Bricks, Grille Tiles, Double

Large Jumper, Round Large Jumpers, Round Plates w/3

Leaves, Dome Bottom, Tile, Round Plates w/5 Petals,

Swirl Top Plates, Minifig Tea Cups, Minifig Cupcake Liner,

Minifig Teapot, Minifig Tea Saucers, Plant Stems w/3 Leaves,

Cone, Printed Minifig Head, and Minifig Watering Can.

 

Build.  Two 1 Hit pieces of Cover and a Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  I know this is a licensed set -- and a 4+ at that -- but still, c'mon Lego do better.

Review: Brickcraft 72578BFS Bricktanicals Amaryllis

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.

Box.  MSRP is $5.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.  I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Axle.  I'm not sure why

It wasn't just loose in the box.

Parts 2. 10x4 Leaves w/Clips, Plates w/Angular Extension, Plates, Double Slopes, Bar Plates, Large Round Jumper, Axle Connector w/Clips, Inverted Tiles, Axles, Axle Connectors, Barrel Hinge w/1 Finger, Barrel Hinge w/2 Fingers, 1L Liftarm, Apollo Studs, Minifig Skates, Minifig Whips, Bar, Octagonal Bar Plate, and Steering Wheel.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8 [arm blades] 2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  The Duo Tone Leaves are neat.  That is a really Dark Red.  The score for the price I paid is +15 (A).

Review: Brickcraft 72577BFS Bricktanicals Pointsettia

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.

Box.  MSRP is $5.99, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.  I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  6x4 Leaves w/Bar, 5x4 Leaves w/Clip, Octagonal Bar

Plates, 5x3 Leaves w/Clip, Round Plates, Round Large Jumper,

Axle Connectors, Axle w/Axle Connector, Barrel Hinge w/1

Finger, Barrel Hinge w/2 Fingers, Axle Connectors w/Clips, Axles,

Round Plates w/Petal Edges, Robot Arms, and Plant Stem w/Bar.

Build.  Two proto-Frames (2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (A+).  I think Monday's review is a better set but I like the Leaves in this set.  The score for the price I paid is +20 (A+).

Review: Brickcraft 72579BFS Bricktanicals Mistletoe

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.

Box.  MSRP is $5.99, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.

I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Pearlescent Translucent 6x4 Leaves, Bag Tag Ring, Flower Sprues, Large Ball Joints, Metallic Wedge Plates, Metallic Plates, Metallic Tiles w/Studs on Edge, Translucent Plant Stems, Metallic Round Tile, Metallic Large Stadium tile, Metallic Quarter Circle Plates, Metallic Brick w/Pinhole, Metallic Macaroni Tiles, Metallic Double Inverted Slope w/Cutout, Metallic Plates w/Pinhole, Translucent Bar Bar Holders, Translucent Clip Bar Holders, Translucent Candlesticks, Translucent Round Plates w/Flower Petals, Translucent Clip Plates, Half Pins, Translucent Bars, and Translucent Palm Tree Top.

Build 1.  Frame (2W).

Build 2.  Frame (2W).  Cannot be

built at the same time as Build 1.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Very similar to last year's version but, with a few new parts and a metallic coating on others.  I really like it and I'll be buying at least one more.  The score for the price I paid is +20 (A+).

Review: BLDR 0093 Squishmallow Reginald at the Movies

This is one of the second wave of releases from BLDR.  I jumped on this one right away because it has some interesting, and useful, pieces in what looks to be Pearl Gold.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.08 Price per Piece. 

Instructions.

Parts 1.  This is the "squishy belly"

piece for the "minifig" of the set.

Parts 2.  Loose in Box.  Wedge

Plates, and Bricks.

Parts 3.  Curved Bricks, Printed Curved Brick, Printed 2x2x2 Box,

1x1x3 Brick, Printed Studless Slopes, Printed Tile, Double Curved

Slope w/Cutout, Printed Brick, Plates, Bricks w/Studs on Corners,

Double  Jumpers, Jumper, Minifig Ice Cream Scoops, Brick, Macaroni 

Tiles, Corner Tiles w/Cutout, Translucent Grille Tiles, Cones, Mod.

Bricks 1x2x2/3 w/Studs on Sides & Stud Receptacle, Minifig Fezes,

Inkwells, Studs w/Bar, Chain, Bar Ball Joints, Quarter Circle Tiles,

Small Steering Wheels, Figure Ears w/Bar, and Shaped Tiles.

Parts 4.  Quarter Circle Plates, Door Frame, Printed Half Dome,

Bricks w/Studs on Side, Bricks, Half Dome, Inverted Slope, Printed

Tiles, Window, Curved Slope w/Hole & Plate, Plates, Tail, Double

Jumper, Tile, Clip Plate, Padlock, Double Brackets, 1x1x2/3 Brick

w/Studs on Side, Double Curved Slope w/Cutout, Squish Holder

Panel, Modified Tile w/Inverted Slope, Printed Figure Ears w/Bar.

Parts 5. Printed Panel, Quarter Oval Plates, Corner Wall w/o

Bottom Indentations, Plates, Curved Slope w/Plate, and Bricks.

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras+d8[guns] 1B

[armor]).  Systems are Pearl Gold.

 

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  This box was packed tight with pieces.  I'm going to have fun incorporating some of these parts into the Owen's Crossing table-setting.  All those pieces in Pearl Gold are nice.  As much as I like all the parts and colors I think this is a parts set rather than a build one.

Review: Lele Brother 9106-1 Parasaurolophus

Unlike the first Lele Brother set review, the rest of the ones I've purchased from Miniso are small, like this one.  I got the set name from my receipt.  Which is also on the sticker on the bottom of the box, which I didn't notice until I was breaking down the box.  There are nine other sets in this series.  They can all be combined into a giant build.

Box.  MSRP is $1.99, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.

The instructions were in

the bag with the parts.

Parts.  Studless Slopes, Clip Plates, Padlock, Bar Plate, Printed

Round Tiles, Plates, Jumpers, Inverted Studless Slope, Cheese

Slopes, Tile, Brackets, and Bricks w/Studs on Opposite Sides.

Build.  Frame (2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  This has some good colors but the parts count holds it back.

Review: Block Tech Block Bouquet Black Rose

After finding last Monday's review, I "raided" a few more Marshalls stores to see what else was available.  I found this set at the third store.  It's different from this year's and last year's, which makes me wonder if RMS is making different sets for different distribution channels.  Again, according to the date of manufacture on the bottom of the box, this was made earlier this year.  There's also no individual set number.  Let's give it a review.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Axles, Notched Round Plate, Octagonal Bar Plates,

Inverted Tiles, Double Studless Slopes, Plates, Studless

Slopes, Angled Axle/Pin Connector, and Ball Joint Plates.

Parts 2. Quarter Circle Studless Slopes, Double Curved Wedges

 (Right), Double Curved Wedges (Left), Tiles, Large Cheese

Slopes w/Studs, Axle, Curved Slopes w/Wing End, Axle/

Pin Connectors, Travis Brick, Round Plates, and Clip Claws.

 

Parts 3.  Unlike the prior two versions, this has a third parts bag.

Rounded Clip Plates, Ball Joint Pins, Axle Connectors, Bushings, Brackets, Axle, Half Pins, Tooth Plates, Studless Slopes, Wedge Studless Slopes, Inverted Studless Slopes, Gear, Horn, and Round Large Jumper.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), and Station.
 

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)

Score: +20 (A+).  It's a good starter kit but, like last Monday's review, I'm not sure how available these sets will be.

Review: Make-It Blocks Flower 2.5

Earlier this year I reviewed a group of Make-It Blocks flower sets.  I'd seen mention of other sets in this release on Reddit but hadn't actually seen any in stores.  I was shopping for other items in Dollar Tree the other night and I stumbled across this.  It has the same parts count but there are a lot of differences from the last time I reviewed the set.

Box. MSRP is $1.75, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  8x3 Palm Leaves, Flower Petals w/Clip, Octagonal Bar Plate,

Steering Wheel, Round Palate w/4 Petals, Round Large Jumper, Dish,

Plates, Ball Joint Plates, Round Plates, and Bricks w/Stud on Side.

Parts 2.  Tiles, Inkwell, Wedge Studless Slopes, Plates, Cheese

Slopes, Brackets, Flower w/Bar, Round Plates, Ball Joint Plates,

Bars, Clip Claws, Axle & Pin Connector, and Round Bricks.

Build.  Frame (2W), Station,

and 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away? Yes. (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? Below. (+5) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
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? Yes. (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? Yes. (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  The Flower Petals w/Clips are similar to ones in a Block Tech set I reviewed a little while ago.  It also looks like they've gone back to 1x2 Female Ball Joint Plates.  Which is kinda disappointing.  You can build the same amount of things with this version of the set but I think there are less interesting parts.