Yearly Look Back, 2021 Edition

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

I'm down 6 posts from last year, maintaining my "at least three posts per week" average for the ninth year running. I'm now estimating cracking 2,000 posts sometime around the second week of May of 2024.

The Central MA gaming group continued to meet this year. We managed five games together, after the COVID-19 lockdowns were ended.

I managed 111 reviews this year; 2 Mega Bloks, 3 non-building block, 7 Petit Blocks, 8 Make-It Bricks, 8 Zuru Max. 18 clone bricks, and 65 Lego. That comes out to an average of 9.25 per month. Which is a decrease of 0.5 review per month from 2020.

I did 9 Terrain Workshop posts, and 2 Cool Real World Locations posts, along with hosting 4 guest posts.  I did 5 War College posts this year.  I'd like to do more, I really enjoy talking about MFZ in that way.

I'm now over 990K views, which is roughly another 80K views since last year.  I will probably break1 million views in February 0f 2022.  Thank you to everyone for the continued readership. My Flickr stream is over 4.6 million views which I must thank everyone for as well.

I didn't attend any conventions this year.  No PAX East, No PAX Unplugged, no Armour Con, no meeting great MoF0s, no seeing old friends, or playing really fun games.  Not cool, but better safe than sorry.  I'd like to try and revisit the idea of the "Game Store Grand Tour" for 2022, maybe do some work on rebuilding relationships for the community.

Stay safe, see you next year. :-)

Review: Block Tech US24-2031 Galactic Rangers

I purchased this at 5 Below right before Christmas after being alerted about other items that were available there.

Box. I paid $4.99 for 254 pieces, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions

 

 Minifigs.  Those are some ugly faces.

Parts 1.  Transparent Round Plates, Round Plates, Half

Pins, Half Bushing, Bar Clips, and Levers & Bases.
 

Parts 2.  Transparent Cones, Plates, Tires, Octagonal Bar Plates, Wedge Plates, Brackets, Minifig Seat, Bricks, Macaroni Bricks, Angled Bar Plates, Slopes, Round Brick, Corrugated Round Bricks, and Inverted Slope w/Cutout.

Parts 3.  Axle Plates, Plates, Tiles, Double Sided Round Plate, Ball

Joint Plates, Transparent Tile, Technic Bricks, Bricks w/Studs on

Side, Technic Bricks w/Axle Hole, Tile w/Studs on Ends, Clip Claws,

Technic Connector, Axle w/Stop, Axle, Studless Slope, Double Slope

w/Invert, Transparent Curves w/Cutout, Bracket, Bar Plate, and Rims.

Parts 4.  Transparent Round Plates, Round Plates, Transparent Round

Tile, Round Tile, Inverted Tiles, Transparent Inverted Tile, Plates w/Angled Wings, Curved Slopes w/Wing End, Ball Joint Plates, Hinge Brick Top,

Double Slope, Large Cheese Slopes, Axle w/Stud on End, Double Jumpers, Round Bricks, New Headlight Bricks, Panels, and Hinge Brick Bottom.

Parts 5.  Plates, Inverted Studless Slopes, Tiles, Grille Tiles, Jumpers, 

Transparent Clip Plates, Transparent Inverted Tile, Transparent

Plates, Clip Plates, Lampholders, Round Tile, Padlocks, 

Cheese Slopes, 3L Pin, Lightsaber Hilts, Bars, and Barbs.

Build.  Two sets of two Frames (2Rd/1B/1G/1Y), two Stations, and one 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+). Looks like a good starter kit for two people.

Review: 30580 Santa Claus Polybag

This was a "Free with Purchase" item at the Lego Store for December.  Seeing as it's after Christmas, I think it's about time I reviewed it.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions

Parts.  Plates, Double Jumpers, Printed Round Tiles, Wedge Studless

Slopes, Round Plates, Brackets, Arches 1x3x2, Slope, Inverted Slopes,

Bricks, Studless Slopes, Curved Slope w/Cutout, Plates w/Pinhole,

Bar Plate, Clip Plate, Cheese Slopes, Half Pins, and 6L Bar w/Stop.

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras+d8).

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+).  A few useful parts but nothing in any quantity to get excited over.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 8 (DG20210621B)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Two Fridays ago I discovered that there is a code punched into the bottom of each egg that identifies each one.  I've added that code to each review title.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 71 pieces for a PpP of $0.04.

Instructions & Stickers

 

Parts 1.  Bricks, Inverted Slopes, Slope, Wedge Plates, and Studless Slopes.

Parts 2.  Tires, Windscreen, Axle Plates, Rims, Triple Curve Slope,

Grille Tile, Jumpers, Bar Plates, Clip Plates, Round Bricks, Apollo

Studs, Stadium Cheese Slopes, Cones, and a Lever & Base.

 

Parts 3.  Bricks, Corrugated Bricks, and Brackets.

Build.  2Rd+d8/1G.

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+).  Another decent set with the same failing as the others.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 7 (DG20210621E)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Two Fridays ago I discovered that there is a code punched into the bottom of each egg that identifies each one.  I've added that code to each review title.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 66 pieces for a PpP of $0.05.

 

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts 1.  Bricks, Inverted Slopes, 2x3 Bricks w/Curved

End, Studless Slopes, and Wedge Plates.

Parts 2.  Wedge Bricks, Brick, Round Bricks, Brick

w/Studs on Side & Door Guide, and Brackets.

 

Parts 3.  Clip Plates, Bar Plates, Round Bricks, Transparent

Cones, Transparent Apollo Studs, Apollo Studs, Round Tiles,

Triple Curve Slopes, Antenna, and Levers & Bases.

Build.  An IO Close Escort Frigate (2Rpd+d8/1B).

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 just feels like a duplicate of the last set even though it has more parts.

Sales Alert

Target is running a 20% off on select Lego sets this week.  Considering I've seen a lot of empty shelves in the Lego department of my local Targets, you might want to jump on this if you see something you like.

Good hunting.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 6 (DG20210621H)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Last Friday I discovered that there is a code punched into the bottom of each egg that identifies each one.  I've added that code to each review title.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 52 pieces for a PpP of $0.06.

 

Instructions & Stickers

Parts 1.  Wedge Bricks, Brick, Round Bricks, Wedge Plates, and Brackets.

Parts 2.  Bricks, Wedge Plates, Studless Slopes,

Round Bricks, and Inverted Slope.

 

Parts 3.  Tail, Triple Curve/Inverted Slopes, Triple Curve Slopes,

Clip Plates, Antennas, Stadium Cheese Slopes (Cheese Slopes

with rounded front edges), Levers and Bases, and Cones.

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras+d8/1Y).

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+).  Once again, I like the set with the standard complaint.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 5 (DG20210621G)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Last Friday I discovered that there is a code punched into the bottom of each egg that identifies each one.  I've added that code to each review title.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 65 pieces for a PpP of $0.05.

 

Instructions & Stickers

Parts 1.  Bricks, Slope, Wedge Plates, Corrugated

Brick, Studless Slopes, and Brackets.

Parts 2.  Tires, Axle Plates, Rims, Bar Plate, Triple Curve/Inverted Slopes,

 Triple Curve Slopes, Stadium Cheese Slopes (Cheese Slopes with rounded

 front edges), Round Tiles, Transparent Apollo Studs, and Apollo Studs.

 

Build.  Since someone accused me of just building the set for the last

build, :-) , I went with an IO Frigate (2Ras+d8) this time around.

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+).  My complaint about the last two sets still holds but it's a decent set.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 4 (DG20210621A)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Last Friday I discovered that there is a code punched into the bottom of each egg that identifies each one.  I've added that code to each review title.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 71 pieces for a PpP of $0.04.

 

Instructions & Stickers

Parts 1.  Bricks, Corrugated Bricks, Slope, and Brackets.

Parts 2.  Wedge Plates, Bricks, and Studless Slopes.

 

Parts 3.  Tires, Axle Plates, Rims, Bar Plate, Clip Plate, Round

Bricks, Padlocks!, Rounded Clip Plates, Grille Tiles, Apollo

Studs, Stadium Cheese Slopes (Cheese Slopes with

rounded front edges), Windscreen, and Bases & Levers.

Build.  A Battlecart with four mounting points for Systems.

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+).  Once again, I feel like this set needs a few Plates to really be useful.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 3 (DG20210621D)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 65 pieces for a PpP of $0.05.

Instructions & Stickers

Parts 1.  Bricks, Inverted Slopes, Wedge

Plates, Brackets, and Corrugated Bricks.

Parts 2.  Tires, Axle Plates, Bar Plates, Grille Tiles, Rims,

Round Bricks, Transparent Apollo Studs, Round Tiles,

Apollo Studs, Levers & Bases, Antenna, and Windscreen.

Build.  Battle Cart with plenty of Attachment points.

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+).  Another top scoring set that doesn't feel like it has earned it.  A couple of Plates, 2x4 or 2x6, would go a long way to rounding out the usefulness of this set.

Review: Zuru Max Mystery Build 2 (DG20210621C)

I found these at Ocean State Job Lot two months ago while I was out shopping for junk food for a recent game.  The display box I found them in lists eight different builds so I rooted through what was there and found what looked to be seven different packages.

Egg.  I paid $2.99 for this.  MSRP is ????, for a $0.08 Price per Piece based on the parts count on the label.  Actual parts count is 61 pieces for a PpP of $0.05.

Instructions & Stickers

 

Parts 1.  Bricks, 2x3 Bricks w/Curved End, Slopes, Inverted

Slopes, Studless Slopes, Corrugated Bricks, and Brackets.

Parts 2.  Bar Plates, Double Clip Plate, Grille Tiles, Round Bricks, Jumpers,

Apollo Studs, Transparent Apollo Studs, Antenna (if you look closely, the

antenna is damaged and that limits its usefulness), and Transparent Cones.

 

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras/2Y),

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 don't feel like this deserves a top score.  It might have more parts than the last one but they're still mostly just basic bricks.