Yearly Look Back, 2024 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 again played nine games together, which is one up from 2023.  We debuted a new table setting, brought an old one back from retirement, and accomplished a full size playtest of a new rule set.  We also managed to play most of a game of Intercept Orbit.  Which is the first time in six years since we've tried that rule set.

I'm up 4 posts from last year but, still maintaining my "at least three posts per week" average for the twelfth year running.  I made my 2,000 post in the middle of June this year.  I'm estimating 3K posts to be roughly six years away.  March of 2024 was my 12th anniversary of starting this blog.

I managed 122 reviews this year; 1 Zuru Max, 1 Mega Bloks, 3 Lazer Blocks, 4 Miniso, 4 Gundam Converge, 5 non-building block, 6 Brickcraft, 20 Clone, 17 Make-It Bricks, 5 non-building, 30 Lego, and 31 Block Tech.  That comes out to an average of 10.2 per month.  Which is the most reviews I've ever done in a year.  It's also the first time I've reviewed more sets of a company other than Lego.  I feel like Block Tech came storming out of the gates this year.  I acknowledge that a fair amount of the sets I reviewed from them were back log ones but there were a ton of other sets they debuted.  I also haven't touched any of the upscaled (upgraded?) Make-It Block sets that debuted late this year.

I did 3 War College and 12 Terrain Workshop posts this year.  Which is a decrease in both. I wanted to pivot to more Terrain Workshop and War College posts this year but more interesting sets were released this year than last and maybe next year will be the year that we start talking about tactics and terrain in earnest.

I'm now at 1.47M views, which is roughly another 200K views since last year. I still have no idea when I'll break 2 million. Thank you to everyone for the continued readership. My Flickr stream is over 6 million views which I must thank everyone for as well.

I managed to attend PAX East this year, if only for a couple of hours.  I want to try and organize a bigger con presence for 2025, make more of an effort to "show the flag".

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

Review: Block Tech US101-0793 Build Your Own Ornament Christmas Tree

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, Plates, Wedge Plates, Inverted Slope w/Cutout, Dish,

Pin Connector Plate, Round Brick, Brackets, and Round Tiles.

Build.  IO Frigate.

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-).  Like the Reindeer set, you can actually build something more than terrain.

Review: Block Tech US101-0825 Build Your Own Ornament Snowman

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, 1x6 Bricks, 1x4 Bricks, 1x3 Bricks, 1x2 Bricks, 1x1 Bricks,

Brick w/Pinhole, 1x4 Plates, 1x3 Plates, 1x2 Plates, and 1x1 Plates.

Build.  Three 1 Hit pieces of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Cover.  (0)
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: +5 (A).  Yeah, I'm not too thrilled with this set either.

Review: Block Tech US101-0826 Build Your Own Ornament Santa Claus

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, 1x8 Brick, 1x4 Brick, 1x3 Bricks, 1x6 Brick, 1x2 Bricks,

1x1 Bricks, 1x2 Brick w/Pinhole, 1x3 Plate, and 1x2 Plate.

Build.  Two 1 Hit pieces of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Cover.  (0)
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: +5 (A).  Very brick-y.  I'm sure a better builder than me could wring something more interesting from this set.  I'm just not sure how.

Review: Block Tech US101-0934 Build Your Own Ornament Reindeer

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, Wedge Plates, Pentagonal Tiles, Plates, Curved Slope w/Studs, Round Tiles, Quarter Circle Tiles, Bracket, and Pin Connector Plate.

Build.  IO Frigate.

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-).  I like the parts.  How often do you see a Pin Connector Plate in a small set?

Review: Block Tech US101-0797 Build Your Own Ornaments Gingerbread Man

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, Round Plates, Plates, Inverted Tiles, Round

Tiles, Lampholder, Quarter Circle Tiles, Brackets, Corner

Plates, Corner Tile,  and Large Triple Cheese Slopes.

Build.  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?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  A bit better than the Snowflake set in terms of useful parts but still not great.

Review: Block Tech US101-0792 Build Your Own Ornament Snowflake

These sets are similar to the "Gizmo Blocks" line from earlier this year but Christmas themed.  These are all small impulse buy sets that can be found at 5 Below.  They can be found either in the Toy section with the rest of the building block sets, or on a rack by the entrance, or in the aisle to the checkout with other sub $5 items.  There doesn't seem to be a page on the website and, my receipt lists them as "Micro Blocks".

Box.  MSRP is $1.00, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  String, 4x5 Leaves, Tiles, Round Plates,

Wedge Plates, Lampholder, and Round Tiles.

Build.  2 Hit piece of Cover.
 

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Cover.  (0)
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: +5 (A).  Yeah, there's not a lot here.  Buy it if you want the parts, I guess?

Review: Brickcraft 70295BFS Bricktanicals Amaryllis

After being informed of the existence of Christmas Bricktanicals by Hysterical_Cub on the MFZ subReddit, I went out and bought them all.  So let's start a run of Brickcraft Bricktanicals reviews.

Box.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Vehicle Steering Wheels (note the square center), Octagonal Bar

Plate, Transparent Hinge Plates w/Angle Side Extensions, Transparent 3L

Axle Connectors, Transparent Axle Connectors w/Pinhole, Axles, Studless

Triple Curve Wedges, Wedge Plates, Inverted Studless Slopes, Barrel Hinges

w/Pin, Plates, Inverted Round Tiles, Tiles, Barrel Hinges, Clip Plates, Wedge

Studless Slopes, Pin connectors w/Pin, Brackets, Curved Cheese Slopes, Half

Pin, Pin  Connector w/Axle, Bar Ball Joints, Bar w/Stop, and Lightsaber Hilts.

Build.  Frame (2Rd+d8), 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 one, it has a nice selection of parts.

Review: Brickcraft 70298BFS Bricktanicals Poinsettia

 After being informed of the existence of Christmas Bricktanicals by Hysterical_Cub on the MFZ subReddit, I went out and bought them all.  So let's start a run of Brickcraft Bricktanicals reviews.

Box.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Octagonal Bar Plates, Transparent Hexagonal Windscreens,

Axles, Pentagonal Tiles, Half Gear, Transparent Axle Connectors w/Pinhole,

Plates, Inverted Round Tiles, Round Large Jumper, Round Tile w/Pinhole,

Round Plates Wedge Tiles, Clip Plates, Wedge Studless Slopes, Bar w/Stop,

Transparent 3L Axle Connectors, Transparent Axle w/Pinhole Connector,

Transparent Barrel Hinges, Half Pin, Full Gear, and Pin Minifig Arms.

Build. Frame [Armored Swarmer (2Rh{club} 2B{wings} 1Y{scanner}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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Four Octagonal Bar Plates in one set is a nice start.  I feel like the Transparent Barrel Hinges and 3L Axle Connectors are going to make interesting legs for something.

Review: Brickcraft 70296BFS Bricktanicals Mistletoe

 After being informed of the existence of Christmas Bricktanicals by Hysterical_Cub on the MFZ subReddit, I went out and bought them all.  So let's start a run of Brickcraft Bricktanicals reviews.

Box.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Bag Tag Ring, Transparent Cut Back Wedges w/Cutout, Technic Balls

(I think these may be Glow in the Dark), Wedge Plates, Quarter Circle Plates,

Tiles, Tiles w/Studs, Plates, Round Tile, Transparent Rounded Tiles w/Pinhole,

Transparent Rounded Plates, Transparent Clip Plates, Transparent Round

Flower Plate, Half Pin, Macaroni Tiles, Double Inverted Slope w/Cutout, Brick

w/Pinhole, Transparent Bars, Transparent Bar Bar Holders, Transparent Clip

Bar Holders, Transparent Candle Sticks, Plates, w/Pinhole, Flower Sprues,

Quarter Circle Tiles, Transparent Plant Stems, and Transparent Palm Tree Top.

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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  There's a lot of useful parts here but I feel like you'd need two copies of this to make something really solid.  All the Transparent Light Green parts should come in handy for project I'm still working on though.

Review: Brickcraft 72097BFS Bricktanicals Holly

After being informed of the existence of Christmas Bricktanicals by Hysterical_Cub on the MFZ subReddit, I went out and bought them all.  So let's start a run of Brickcraft Bricktanicals reviews.

Box.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Axle.

Parts 2.  Translucent Wedge Plates, Technic Balls, Palm Tree Top,

 Translucent Wedge Tiles, Translucent Bar Plates, Translucent

Ball Joint Plates, Translucent Wedge Studless Slopes, Half Pin,

3L Axle Connectors, 2L Axle Connector, Bar Bar Holders, Clip

Bar Holders, Bar w/Stop, Axle, Bar, Skeleton Arm, Flower

Sprues, Exo-Force Arms, Minifig Fez, Triple Ball Joint

Connector, Plant Stems w/Bar Holders, and Plant Stem.

 

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?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  I like all the Translucent Green parts but this definitely needs something more to be a really good set.  I wish this had Translucent Green Male Ball Joint Plates to match the Female ones.

Review: Brickcraft 72099BFS Bricktanicals 3 in 1 Vase

After being informed of the existence of Christmas Bricktanicals by Hysterical_Cub on the MFZ subReddit, I went out and bought them all.  So let's start a run of Brickcraft Bricktanicals reviews.

Box.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Octagonal Plate w/Cutout.

Parts 2.  Vehicle Steering Wheels (note the square center), Round Brick w/Pinholes,

Octagonal Bar Plate, Round Brick, Axle, Quarter Circle Plates, Bar Plates,

Padlocks, Double Sided Studless Slopes, Corner Curved Slopes, Round Plates,

Macaroni Bricks, Rounded Plates, Macaroni tiles, Brackets, and Tiles.

Parts 3.  Translucent Balloon Panels.

Build.  Frame (2W), Station, and 4 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+).  I'm loving all the Dark Green parts.  I'm also a sucker for Balloon Panels.

Review: 30670 Santa's Sleigh Ride Polybag

Let's dive back into the Christmas items.  This is the 23rd of 26 polybags released in 2024 that I've reviewed this year.  Not too shabby.  I haven't seen this anywhere else than where I bought it and Brickset lists this as a "Lego Exclusive" so I'm not sure how available this is going to be.

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

$9.99 at Stop & Shop which is a $0.14 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Plates, Bars w/Stop, Large Jumpers, Curved Slopes w/Studs,

Brackets, Bricks, Inverted Slopes, Curved Slopes w/Cutout, Slopes,

Log Bricks, Wedge Studless Slope, Jumper, Rounded Plates,

Stadium  Tiles, Printed Round Tiles, Round Plates, Clip Plates, Tooth 

Plates, Panels, Bricks w/Studs on Side, Twigs, and Technic Balls.

Build.  Station, Frame (2Rh+d8), 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+).  This has some nice pieces but I feel like it's too scattershot to be anything other than a parts pack.