Set Review: Dino 5882 Ambush Attack
Saturday, October 6th, 2012 at 2:25pm by Benjamin, BZPower Reporter
Not seen since 2010, dinosaurs once again roam the earth. Though in actuality those sets have not been seen since 2005, now it is 2012 and there is no date on the set's box--the giant lizards are attacking again! Today we take a look at the little Ambush Attack, which packs quite a punch. Read on to find out just how nasty the Coelophysis really is.
This set was snagged at BrickFair using a combination of discounts and redeeming points for a total of $2, its actual price being $12. With only 80 pieces, that might seem a little steep, but the dinosaur is cool and the little buggy is pretty solid. The set holds a few more surprises too....
Presentation
From the design of the box to the instruction manual, these are the first things you see before building the set.
Standard sized box, standard presentation of everything: Theme logo, piece count, set name and number, and age “suggestion.” And a cool action scene with the showdown between human and dinosaur. The yellow buggy catches the eye, but so does the Coelophysis. This set also comes with some plant life.
The back shows the action features of the set: Scary dinosaur, flick-fire missiles, and tranquilizer gun. The usual for a small set like this.
The inside contents are a few polybags of parts, the instructions, and an offer for a free LEGO magazine subscription. I have not seen one of those in a while. Quickly opening the bags to get straight to the Coelophysis was a top priority.
Building
Half the fun is had building the set. How fun is it to build and how easy or challenging is it?
With only 80 pieces, building can be expected to be pretty easy. That being said, there is a nice variety of pieces that come with the set, like the plant leaves and the yellow for the buggy.
The buggy has a nice, solid design, even if it is simple. Some basic SNOT pieces are used to form rear lights and side armor, not to mention the armored spikes on the front. It has a Firefly Mule feel to is. This buggy can be sure to take a hit or two in its search for dinosaurs.
Set Design
Now that the set is complete, we can critique how it looks from every angle. New or interesting pieces can also be examined here.
There are only a few pieces here that are exciting, including some trans-orange skid-plates and the syringe in lime green. But the coolest piece is the new gun with the clip on top. Similar to the longer gun seen in Star Wars sets, this one has a clip to allow for tools to be attached, like the tranqualizer syringe. I suspect this piece will be utilized very well very soon. It would be nice to see it in a variety of colors. And of course, the Coelophysis is awesome and ferocious.
The minifig is a standard dinosaur hunter tough guy. Well, unless you turn his head around to show him scared senseless while being hunted down by a Coelophysis. But judging by that strap of equipment slung across his chest, he is pretty prepared.
The buggy has a pretty solid design, which only reinforces that notion that our hero is prepared for anything that comes while he explores the wild in hunt of ravage beasts. Notable is how the front striped slope is printed on instead of being a sticker. Bonus points for LEGO there!
Playability
The other half of the fun is in playing with the set. How well does the set function and is it enjoyable to play with.
Being a small set, playability is limited. The flick-fire missiles are useless as usual, but between the buggy, our hero's tranquilizer gun, and the viscous Coelophysis (honestly I really just want to call him a raptor), there is still fun to be found. Especially when combined with other sets.
Final Thoughts
Once it's all said and done, how does the set stack up? Should I get it?
Pros
What's to like?
- Coelophysis
- Cool buggy
- Gun with clip
- Some nice pieces
Cons
What's not to like?
- Slightly overpriced for an 80-piece set.
- Playability is weak
Overall, the set is pretty solid. The only downside is the price of $12 for 80 pieces. But you do get a Coelophysis, cool minifig, and new clip gun. Take that as you will.
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