Vladek's Dark Fortress - Most Fun LEGO Castle Set EVER!

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:23 pm

You read that right, folks.

My dear, lovely wife bought me Vladek's Dark Fortress for my birthday this year, and after building it I have to say that this is the most fun LEGO Castle set ever produced.

I mean, this thing is loaded with some of the coolest gadgets, gizmos and siege engines ever included in one set. Both my nephews (8 and 6 years old) were over for my birthday party, and the had a ball playing with the set.

Set design wise, I'd say its the best LEGO Castle we've seen since the Black Knight's Castle. Better than Dragon Masters, Fright Knights, Ninja, KK1, and KK2.1. Built with old colors, I'd even say it approaches the level of the Black Monarch's Castle (as far as black castles go), though it does use too many 1x1x5 and 1x2x5 bricks.

Overall I give it a 7 out of 10, giving it an 8 or 8.5 if it were built with old colors. For playability alone (two kids, sitting on the floor with the set between them) I'd give it an 11 out of 10.

Why?

Well, lets start at the beginning. The set is BIG. 80 studs wide, and no shallower than 12 studs at any point.

The set comes with 8 figs - an equal number of bad guys to good guys. I'd say very few sets have ever done this.

The good guys get a horse mounted catapult (which is pretty fun, albeit silly), a horse drawn catapult (slammer), an oddly constructed but functional ballista, and a minifig held, brick built battering ram (which when combined with the castle's breakaway wall is very cool).

The bad guys get two flaming buzz saw catapults (which are really fun to fling), a working drawbridge with the neatest design, and a self loading, remotely pouring barrel of oil. The castle also comes with several nifty touches like a fireplace and a crystal ball, and walls with spears sticking out of them that reminded me a lot of something out of a trench warfare stock reel.

Now it does have a hefty price tag - $100 US, but it also comes with 300 more pieces than the previous KK2 castle for only $10 more (almost 1000 pieces total!).

And I will say this - For the first time in a very, very long time... I would be willing to pay the full price for this castle (if I were to want another one). The piece assortment (10 6x16 plates in dark tan, possibly the same number in dark red), the figs (chrome knights!), even the jelly bean knights look better in their new color schemes.

I happily put my stamp of approval on this set, and whole-heartedly recommend it. In my opinion, LEGO has finally begun to turn their design slump around.

--Anthony

Lord_Of_The_LEGO · Post by **Lord_Of_The_LEGO** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:26 pm

Thanks for the review, Tony! Man, I can't wait to get this set...

eNiGMa · Post by **eNiGMa** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:12 pm

Wow. I wanted this set before, but after reading your review, I have determined that it must take priority over all (fine, most) of my Lego purchases.

footsteps · Post by **footsteps** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:33 pm

An exceptionally detailed and positive review. And the sarcasm meter didn't even twitch as I read it!

Sounds like a winner of a set. Alas my funding is deficient.

But here's a thought. What chance is there that the instructions are available separately? I wouldn't mind trying to construct it (or at least a close proximity to it) using my existing collection and old colours.

Alan

PS Well hey! I'm a Gentleman now! Be sure to refer to me as "Mister Alan" from now on.

Jacob C. · Post by **Jacob C.** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:20 am

I wasn't contemplating on getting this set.
The set design is awesome but Im worried all those black pieces won't get any use after I take the set apart.

brian · Post by **brian** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:00 am

Great Review Anthony! I'm planning on getting the KK2 sets with some of my wedding money!! I am getting married this Saturday & I already told my future wife that some of our gift money is going to Lego and now I now which set to buy. Thanks!!

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:06 am

SHEESH!

I just managed to forget about the KK2 sets and the fact that I didn't have them all yet... and then you do that!!! Argh!!!

Must.... buy.... Fortress...

Jojo · Post by **Jojo** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:09 pm

Hey Anthony!

Cool review, thanks.
Now I'm sure I'll be getting this set despite any new colours in it.

Bye
Jojo

Post by **Robin Hood** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:20 am

I must say, that when I started reading this, I thought you were making a big joke. Reading through, it became aparent that you were not, though I began to feel slightly sick. Having finished reading it, I am uncertain on what to say. Your review and the fact that I haven't yet seen the set in real life make it sound good. But looking at pics, I just can't shake the feeling that it lacks a big something.

But I shall hold any further judgement until I get the set.

Dan

lil Jon · Post by **lil Jon** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:31 am

Great review. I sort of wanted it but reading your review makes me want it more. Too bad its kind of expensive.

Cyclonis · Post by **Cyclonis** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:39 am

...Maybe it's the new colours that is making you feel uncertain, Robin Hood?

Post by **Robin Hood** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:49 pm

Cyclonis wrote:...Maybe it's the new colours that is making you feel uncertain, Robin Hood?

No, not the colours, the design.

Dan

The Hordesman · Post by **The Hordesman** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:53 pm

Sava, thanks to you I felt that I must get it NOW, so I ordered it from the web (was afraid it wont ever be available here after my conversation with the TRU folks). will get it soon enough... whwahaha.

ottoatm · Post by **ottoatm** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:12 pm

I have to admit, I was a little suprised by such a grand review as well, but even if I don't agree with Sava's review after buying the set, I do think that this will prove to be one of the better castle sets in some time. I noticed the large amount of figs as well. Anyway, I think the design is an improvement over the latest KK1 & KK2 castles, no?

Post by **Formendacil** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:27 pm

An excellent review there, Tony. You should be one of LEGO's ambassadors, as you are doing such a good job of selling their products.

If there IS anything "missing" about this set, I would that it is the fact that the design, unlike the Classic sets, isn't highly reminiscent of a real-life Castle. Not all the Classic sets were that realistic, but they LOOKED like it. A bit of a pity, I suppose, but since pretty much any set I get is MOC-fodder, I don't see it as a problem at all.

Classic-Castle.com

Vladek's Dark Fortress - Most Fun LEGO Castle Set EVER!

Vladek's Dark Fortress - Most Fun LEGO Castle Set EVER!

Re: Vladek's Dark Fortress - Most Fun LEGO Castle Set EVER!