Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Overall Building: Overall, the set is very nice. It's just over a thousand pieces (1,007) and has some complex aspects to what it does, yet the construction is relatively simple, so even young children can build it. I worked on the set with a precocious six-year-old (I can say that, because he's not my son), and he didn't have any problems with any sections of the set, including the moving sections. And it's the moving sections that make this set so great. The snake-like mouth that makes the entry gate has some neat articulation, so that when you lift the top jaw up, the two lower jaws pull apart, opening up the gate. And the portal at the top, when you twist a jeweled key, makes the interior portal sections open and close. The moving parts aren't overly complicated, but they have a pretty big impact on the model, especially the opening jaws, which everyone "ohs" and "ahs" over when they see it. I think it's a really good introduction to building more complicated behaviors for younger kids.
The architecture of the snake-jaws-gate and the portal are moderately complicated, while the left- and right-wings of the structure are more simplistic, so if you were working with different-age children, the older one could build the central structure and the younger one could work on the sides. The colors are nice - deeper reds matched with dark greys and blacks, and the jewel-colors of the portal and some of the small accessories highlighting the overall model.
I personally love the more detailed sets (like the Green Grocer and Fire Brigade), but that's as an adult (and those sets are recommended for 16+). I'd give it 4.5 stars for myself, but for the recommended age group, I definitely think it's 5 stars.
Minifigures: The set comes with seven minifigures - three divers, one Shark Warrior, one Squid Warrior, one Portal Emperor, and a skeleton. The Squid Warrior, in particular, is a really neat and unique figure, one that I'm looking forward to using in future horror and fantasy sets that I put together. The Shark Warrior and Portal Emperor are also interesting, and I don't think the Portal Emperor is available anywhere else. The divers are nice models, with double-sided heads so that you can vary their expressions.
Usefulness of Pieces for My-Own-Constructions (MOCs): If you've got a basic collection that you're working with, I think this could be a good model to add to your collection of pieces. First, there are a lot of unique pieces - the portal sections, the nice gold gates, lots of minifigures, and pretty unusual accessories (tridents, spearguns, etc.). Second, the deep-red-colored and gold bricks are unusual; I really like their shades and look forward to using them in future creations. This isn't necessarily the best "first purchase" if you're wanting to start doing crazy creations, but if you've got a good basic set and you want to add some unique colors and flair to your collection, this set is definitely worth picking up.
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LEGO? Portal of Atlantis 8078Pieces: 1007
The portal to the lost city of Atlantis has been discovered!Getting through it will be the diver?s greatest challenge yet! The divers must get past hidden traps, shark guardian statues that come alive, Squid and Shark Warriors, and the Portal Emperor before unlocking the portal with the five Atlantis treasure keys
Includes 7 minifigures: 3 divers, 1 Portal Emperor, 1 Squid Warrior, 1 Shark Warrior, 1 skeletonFeatures all 5 Atlantis treasure keys -- green, blue, yellow, red and orange
Divers must beware of the hidden traps!
Turn a treasure key into the keystone to open the portal to Atlantis!
Shark castle measures 18 (46cm) wide and over 12? (32cm) tall
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