Set Review: #8057-1 Wreck RaiderName: Wreck Raider
Set Number: 8057-1
Theme: Atlantis
Year: 2010
Pieces: 64
Minifigs: 1
Price: USD 9.99
Brickshelf GalleryBefore we get started, I'd like to announce a few changes that I'll be making to the format of my reviews. From now on, I will provide a link to the Brickshelf gallery the images are hosted in, so that my reviews aren't overly saturated with images. I will also resize each image to 400px by 300px, so that they will load quicker on computers with slower Internet. As always, each image is linked to a high resolution version.
From the depths of the ocean, we’ll be taking a look one of the newly released vehicles in the Atlantis line – the Wreck Raider!
The Box
The box design for the entire Atlantis line is certainly very impressive. I really like the gold border that circles around the box – they add to the mystic nature of Atlantis and goes very well with the water in the background. It also has a rather unique and interesting design, especially on the Atlantis logo.
The scene depicted here shows the Wreck Raider engaging the Shark Warrior in combat. While the bubbles are a nice effect, it would make more sense if the propellers on the Wreck Raider were actually spinning. It would have looked more realistic if some sort of blur effect was added on the blades.
If you look closely, you can see a large temple located on the right hand side of the box, subtly blending in with the dimly lit water around it. This temple has prompted much speculation about it being a possible summer set in the Atlantis line.
Finally, there is an image of the blue Atlantis ring on the bottom left corner – providing an incentive for buyers to collect all the sets in the theme.
The back of the box shows off some of the features in the set, like the flick fire harpoons and the directional propellers. It also shows our protagonist, Captain Ace Speedman fleeing from an angry Shark Warrior with the Atlantis ring in his hand. Again, the temple seen on the front of the box is seen on the back as well, only this time we have a better view of the main façade. In the lower left hand corner you’ll find all of the collectable Atlantis rings pictured, with the blue ring included in this set enlarged.
The Pieces
Inside you’ll find two bags filled with awesome parts, a sticker sheet, and the instruction booklet.
As you can see, there are lots of interesting pieces in red, lime green and dark bley. The Atlantis ring is wrapped in its own bag, most likely to prevent abrasion and scratching.
Several new pieces are found in the set, like the underwater helmet, the trident, the ring, and the shark head. The shark head, ring, and trident all have a rubbery texture to them. The underwater helmet is pretty bulky for a minifig accessory, big enough that it actually has Technic pin holes on the side.
Also included are two propeller pieces, flippers (attached together on a sprig) as well as some red slopes and arches.
Last but not least…the Wreck Raider comes with a 1x3 tile, completely new to LEGO this year. LEGO has certainly blessed its fans with so many great pieces that were released this year, the 1x3 tile being one of many. It certainly is a very versatile and useful piece when it comes to MOCing, and will no doubt be used extensively by LEGO fans in years to come.
There are also a good amount of stickers for the set. The pieces they are applied to aren’t incredibly uncommon, but it’s always up to the builder to decide whether they want to apply the stickers or not. I myself applied the stickers to the set.
The Instructions
As with most LEGO sets, the instructions feature the box design without all the legalese.
It also has a serene watery background, with bubbles floating up along the corners. As far as I could tell, there were no misprints in the instructions.
The instructions also advertise the 3D glasses as well as the 3D features on the Atlantis website. For those of you wondering, the 3D glasses come with set #8060: Typhoon Turbo Sub, set #8061: Gateway of the Squid, set #8079: Shadow Snapper, and set #8075: Neptune Carrier. People who are subscribed to the LEGO Club Magazine or LEGO Brickmaster also received a pair in the January/February issue of both magazines.
The Build and Design
The set comes with Captain Ace Goodman as well as a Shark Warrior. Both feature intricate printing on their legs and torso.
A side profile of both minifigs. You can see the Technic pin holes I was talking about earlier in the Captain’s underwater helmet. The shark head also looks menacing from a side view.
The Shark Warrior has an interesting design printed on its head, reminiscent of the design of the gold border on the box. Captain Speedman also has detailed back printing…
…which you can see here, as well as his scared expression. The Shark Warrior doesn’t have any back printing.
The build is rather interesting, as it seems to revolve around this cylinder piece. It also allows for some SNOT to be used.
I thought it was pretty cool how the 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 arch piece actually fits under the 1 x 3 x 2 arch – it definitely would be an interesting technique to integrate in an MOC.
If you plan on applying the stickers, pay close attention to the direction of the sticker on the 4x1 red slope located in the middle. Make sure that the open side of the rectangle is facing towards the front of the vehicle, and not the back. It can be an easy thing to overlook, and removing the sticker without damaging it isn’t always easy.
Once all is said and done, you’ll end up with a very sleek looking Wreck Raider. All of the slope pieces help to give the vehicle its sleek appearance, and better yet, there are very few studs that are showing.
The propellers are attached with a Technic liftarm that actually has both a pin hole and an axle hole. Both liftarms are then attached to both Technic bricks with a size four axle. The Technic bricks are then attached using SNOT to the cylinder I was talking about earlier.
The dark bley fins are also a nice detail.
The completed set, in all of its underwater glory.
Someone’s angry about their missing Atlantis ring…
Luckily the Wreck Raider is equipped with flick fire harpoons, even though they work terribly.
Our Captain emerges victorious; however his permanently serious look prevents him from expressing any sort of happiness.
Final Grade:Design: 9/10 – The design of the set was interesting seeing as it mainly revolved around this one piece. The numerous slopes and arches as well as the studless texture also gave the Wreck Raider a sleek and clean look.
Parts: 8/10 – Lot of great new parts like the 1x3 Tile and the underwater helmet, as well as a bunch of other useful parts like the slopes and arches.
Minifigs: 10/10 – Excellent and extremely detailed.
Build: 8/10 – It was interesting to see the actual design of the set during the build.
Playability: 6/10 – Features like the rotating propellers and the flick fire harpoons (even though they don’t really work) provide a bit of playability. I would not advise letting your younger sibling use this as a bathroom toy – it would be tragic if they were to tear apart the set and watch all those pieces fall down the drain.
Price: 6/10 – USD 9.99 is a tad bit expensive for a set with 64 pieces…7 or 8 dollars may have been a better price.
Final Grade:47/60 or 7.8/10All in all, Atlantis is definitely a very promising line. Lot of great sets, great pieces, and great building techniques. I certainly am confident about the summer wave of Atlantis!
