Earlier than this month, it had been years since Lego had made any units primarily based off the Lord of the Rings films. However the iconic brick maker got here to us on the flip of the tide with the newest grownup collectors set—a recreation of Rivendell from The Fellowship of the Ring as epic as an prolonged version trilogy marathon, and simply as satisfying.

Lego offered io9 with entry to a duplicate of the brand new set, and after a number of days of livid constructing—and cursing of 1×1 tile items—we’ve bought our intensive impressions of what it’s like constructing one of many greatest units the corporate has ever made.

How lengthy does it take to construct Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set?

Whether or not you’re an skilled builder or a Lord of the Rings fan leaping into Lego for the primary time in years, it’s going to take you some time to complete Rivendell. In case you’re used to the extra advanced adult-oriented builds Lego has put out lately, you may in all probability end in about 16 or so hours of constructing—should you’re not, anticipate to spend nearer to 24. Unfold over a number of days, it’s a herculean job both method. Placed on the prolonged editions within the background (you’ll even have time for The Hobbit trilogy, if you’d like!) and get cracking.

What number of minifigures are in Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set?

Rivendell comes with a hefty 15 minifigures—every member of the Fellowship (Gandalf the Gray, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragon, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli), three additional named characters (Elrond, Arwen, and an aged Bilbo), and three unnamed characters (two Elven attendants, one male and one feminine, and one unnamed dwarf, meant to characterize a number of the different dwarven representatives on the council of Elrond). Virtually each determine comes with equipment and alternate face prints for various expressions, and each Gandalf and Gimli even have alternate hairpieces to indicate them with or with out their headgear.

That complete doesn’t truly embody one other 5 and a half minifigures peppered all through the set—gray collectible figurines representing varied statues round Rivendell itself.

Is Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set tough to construct?

Like most of its current “adults solely” units, Lego recommends Rivendell to builders aged 18 and up. In case you’re not used to Lego’s grownup units, Rivendell options a lot of superior methods which have grow to be commonplace in its bigger units that might be tough to wrap your head round—and usually there are many steps that require a number of builds of the identical repeating aspect, or intelligent bits of positioning, to get good. The directions as ever are clear sufficient that nothing is just too laborious, however the quantity of small items and complex steps could make it intimidating, particularly in locations the place it’s tough to see what you’re truly constructing in the direction of till it’s lastly coming collectively. In case you’re in search of a difficult, satisfying construct, you’ll have one in Rivendell.

Is Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set higher for Lego followers or Lord of the Rings followers? 

Like I discussed earlier than, Rivendell is an intimidating set should you don’t have a whole lot of expertise with Lego’s fashionable collectors-focused units. However there’s a lot element and so many little Easter eggs all through the entire thing that even when it takes you some time to get by way of it, the tip product is one thing that looks like an absolute love letter to the Lord of the Rings movies, and that may get you thru the more difficult, delicate features of placing it collectively. In case you’re a Lego collector with no familiarity with the films, that is nonetheless an unbelievable constructing expertise, filled with good methods and items of design that may be appreciated even with out data of the supply materials. However contemplating the worth, it’s a lot more durable to advocate even on the energy of that have should you’re not already a dielaborious fan of the films. Talking of…

How a lot is Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set? Is it definitely worth the worth?

Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell prices a whopping $500—not the most costly set in current reminiscence, however nonetheless an enormous hit to your pockets (as soon as once more, for full disclosure, Lego offered io9 with a duplicate for evaluate). Lego fans’ fabled “worth per half” ratio makes it round eight cents per piece, however that’s probably not a great way of trying on the worth of a set that’s, whereas not within the majority, nonetheless crammed with a whole lot of very small items. In the long run, it’s a stunning show piece, and the period of time you’ll spend money on constructing it is sufficient that you simply’ll really feel the standard the set instructions. Even although the worth is on the form of excessive level that may give most informal followers pause, there’s sufficient love and care, and scale within the ultimate construct, that it principally feels price that tag.

In case you’re a diehard fan of the movies, it is a should have, and it’ll be round for lengthy sufficient you could probably wait some time for gross sales to knock a minimum of a number of the worth all the way down to take the sting off of the sticker shock. In case you can drop the cash for it now although, it’s completely the most effective Lego units you should buy on the minute.

Now, click on by way of to see a breakdown of constructing the set, and lots extra footage! Lego’s Lord of the Rings Rivendell set is obtainable to order direct from the corporate now.