Purity: Petit Blocks 63 Insect Review

Day three of the second Petit Blocks week.  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per

Piece.  (101 pieces)  Oh, did I mention the bags are resealable?

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Inverted Slopes, Tiles, Translucent Tiles, Slopes

w/Cutout, Ball Joint Plates, and Translucent Plates.

Build and spare parts.  We could go with 1G for the extra legs.

 

Size Comparisons.

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 my favorite build so far.

Purity: Petit Blocks 62 Tank Review

Moving on to day two of the second Petit Blocks week.  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per

Piece.  (101 pieces)  Oh, did I mention the bags are resealable?

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Tiles, Transparent Tiles, Inverted Slopes, Slopes

 w/Cutout, Ball Joint Plates and, Transparent Plates.

Build and spare parts.  I see 2Rd+d8 for the arm guns, 2Ra for the tank gun,

 and 1G for the transformation.  So we have our first fully loaded build. 

Build 2.  Tank mode.

Size Comparisons.

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 the design, I don't like the build techniques.  This could have been tightened up.

Purity: Petit Blocks 64 Snipe Review

Let's start in on the Red packaged sets.  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per

Piece.  (101 pieces)  Oh, did I mention the bags are resealable?

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Translucent Tiles, Tiles, Inverted Slopes, Slope w/Cutout,

Ball Joint Plates, Slopes, Round Plates, and Translucent Plates.

Build and spare parts.  Gun and Shield make for (2Rd/1B) add a couple

more of those Round Bricks to the antenna stub on the head and you'll

have (1Y).  Now we just have to figure out a Movement Attachment.

Size Comparisons.

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 very close to a "Soldier" build straight out of the bag.

Purity: Petit Blocks 65 Fighter Review

Let's finish out the week with the last of the Blue packaged sets that I have.  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per

Piece.  (101 pieces)  Oh, did I mention the bags are resealable?

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Transparent Tiles, Tiles, Inverted Slopes,

Slopes w/Cutout, Slopes, Ball Joint Plates, Transparent 1x4 

Slopes w/Cutout, Transparent Plates, and Inverted Slopes.

Build and spare parts.  "Look at the size of that whammer!"  2Rh+d8

for the fists.  Maybe add the jet pack from the 61 Jet set for 2G?

Size Comparisons.

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 only problem I have with this one is that it's a little unstable lugging around those giant fists.

Purity: Petit Block 61 Jet Review

Moving on to number two.  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per

Piece.  (101 pieces)  Oh, did I mention the bags are resealable?

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Tiles, Slopes, Slopes w/Cutout, Transparent Tiles,

Inverted Slopes, Ball Joint Plates, and Transparent Plates.

Build and spare parts.  I can see the jet "backpack" section acting as 1G

or 2G depending on if you want to break it into pieces for damage.

Build 2.  Jet Mode

Size Comparisons.

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 like this one as much as the Knight but, it's still viable as a Frame-in-a-Bag.

Purity: Petit Blocks 60 Knight Review

Let's start with number one, shall we?  Unlike normal reviews I'm going to be assembling according to the instructions to determine if they're really a Frame-in-a-Bag.  As I've mentioned before I purchased these through the Paper Asylum.

Bag.  MSRP was $7.99 -- after shipping -- for a $0.08 Price per Piece.  (101 pieces)

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Tiles, Translucent Tiles, Translucent Plates, Slopes

w/Cutout, Ball Joint Plates, Inverted Slopes, and Translucent

Inverted Slopes.  Not a lot of different categories of pieces.

Build and spare parts.  I'd call it 2Rh+d8.  You should be able

to assemble the remaining pieces into a shield for (1B).

Size Comparisons.

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+).  People who like fiddly builds should like this one.  If you're tired or have fumble fingers you'll want to be careful assembling it.

Petit Block Review Preview

This is a Japanese-made block system similar to Nano Blocks.  I was made aware of these back in February by The Mugbearer, I had the Paper Asylum order them for me.

Now, they're not compatible with Lego but they could function as decent starter sets like regular Lego polybags.  Also, shipping time from Japan is roughly three months.  So the next two weeks or so will be filled with reviews of these sets.

Review: 70902 Catwoman Catcycle Chase

Once again, I'm digging into my vast backlog because I need parts from a particular set.

Box.  MSRP was $19.99 for a $0.14 Price per Piece.

I picked this up for $13.98 for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

(I also tracked it down for $9.98 and $9.00)

Instructions and stickers.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Loose in box. 

Parts 2.  Tires, Plates, Brackets, Rims, 2x2x0.6 Plate w/Studs on

Side, Plate w/Arm Up, Hinge Plate, Hinge Tile, Axles, Plate w/Pinhole,

Technic Tube Connector, Axle w/Axle Hole Connector, Technic Straight

Connector, Technic Angled Connectors, Pin/Axle Connector, and Bar Tiles.

Parts 3.  Printed Studless Slope, Hinge Plate, Plate, Tile,

Boat Slider, Inverted Studless Slope, Round Tiles, Lightsaber

Hilt Round Plate, Half Pins, Flick Missiles, Pin/Axles.

 

Parts 4.  Plate, Frame, Transparent Door, Bricks, Tiles, 1x2x5 Bricks, Brick

Bricks, Panel, Inverted Slopes, Container, Bracket, Hinge Plate, Brick

w/Studs on Side, Bar Plate, Clip Plate, Hinge Tile, Plate, Bar w/Plate & Stud.

Parts 5.  Cheese Graters, Jumpers, Plates, Studless Slope, Cheese

 Slopes, Round Plate, Bar Clips, Apollo Studs, and Jems.

Build.  Battle Bike and 2 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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I think with a little more effort -- and not building so late at night -- I could make something better but, this is still a decent set if you can find it.

Review: 71732 Ninjago Epic Battle Set - Jay vs. Serpentine

I'll admit it, I bought this because I needed one piece to finish a squad.  But the Terrain looked cool enough to steal to use as a Station for that squad so I'm using that too.

Box.  MSRP was $19.99 for a $0.22 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Translucent Ninja Weapons.
 

Parts 2.  Quarter Circle Plates, Plates, Studless Wedge Slopes, Clip

Plate, Inverted Slopes,  Round Bricks, Slope, Technic Brick w/Pinhole,

Brick w/Studs on Side, Tire, Barbs, Round Plate w/Rotation Stem, Axle

w/Rotation Clip, Flame Piece, Lightsaber Hilt, and Large Cheese Slopes.

Parts 3.  Rounded Plate, Jumper, Ingots, Plate w/Pinhole, Slopes w/Cutout,

Bar Tile, Leaves, Padlock, Technic Connector, Axle, Pins, Minifig Sword

Hilt, Round Tiles, Clip Plates, Minifig Bandanas, Claws, and Round Plates.

Build.  A 2 Hit piece 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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  It's not great but it does have useful parts and a Station right out of the box.

Community Alert!

The developer of a new video game, Robodunk (YouTube reveal trailer) (Steam page), has used Frame designs from the MFZ and Lego communities without permission.  A list is below, so please reach out to these designers and let them know about this if you know them.  I've posted links to all the ones I could find to help with comparison purposes.

MittenNinja (Hellion Red Devil)

A. YATES (RAT)

Aardvark17 (Budgie Igneous)

KungFujiApple (Glorificus Nuncius)

the sylince (Shrike Frame Stalker Loadout)

Omniscient Frog (ZK-09 "Rideigu")

chubbybots (Cubots and a WIP unnamed model)

Jay Biquadrate (VLS D051z 'Guishan' and Post-Apocalyptic Scavenger Bot)

There are also builds from Alexial1 and myself that haven't been revealed yet.

The developer has reached out to people to secure permissions.  A couple people have said yes but I've refused.

Review: 75268 Star Wars Snowspeeder

And right after I basically swear off "4+" sets I find another one on Clearance and decide to review it.  Doesn't hurt that the limited parts count makes it easier to actually review.

Box.  MSRP was $19.99 for a $0.22 Price per Piece.
I picked this up for $11.00 for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Loose in box. 

Parts 2.  Hinged Windscreen, 2x2x3 Bricks, Printed Slope, Bricks,

 Slopes, Handle Tile, Translucent Brick, Brick 1x2x1.6 w/Studs on Side,

Bars w/Brick, Tiles, Plates, 1x2 Studless Slopes, and Gear Racks.

Parts 3.  Round Jumper, Grille Tiles, Panels, Studless Slopes

w/Cutout, Hinge Plates, Studless Slopes, Rims, Printed Large

Cheese Slope, Minifig Space Torch, and Friction Pins. 

Parts 4.  Translucent Rock Panel, Dish, Webbed Dish, Plates, Mudguard Plate,

Mod. Plate w/Vents, 3x2-2x2 Inverted Bracket, Slopes, Round Tiles, Triangles

w/Clip, 2x3 Slope w/Wing End, Claw Plate, Bricks, Tile w/Studs, Minifig Blaster,

Handle Brick, Printed Large Cheese Slope, Launcher Brick, Brick w/Studs on

Side, Bars w/Stop, Minifig Telescope, Cone, Downward Tooth Plate, and Jumper.

Build.  Frame (2Ra+d8/1G) 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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I managed a build without the Large Wedge Piece but it still remains the "elephant in the room".  Plenty of leftover pieces though.