It's funny how I got into this . . .
I don't even play Minecraft.
Much as I encourage parents that their addicted little builders are enjoying a good thing, I don't partake in it myself because of how the graphics look. Just not my cup of tea, visually.
Enter Lego Minecraft. Did it appeal to me then because it was Lego? Nope.
I thought the sets looked underwhelmingly simple. It was just, like, "Why would I want that?" Maybe most Lego fans feel that way if they aren't already MC gamers? Not sure.
Then came a convo with two buddies. Somehow, we talked about Lego Minecraft because their nephew likes it. After that chat, I couldn't help but wonder over the appeal of it. Curious, I watched reviews of Lego MC sets by my favorite YouTuber, Jangbricks.
Ahhh. It was then that I understood the appeal. It helped, first, that a respectable middle-aged adult like Jang was talking about these sets in a respectful way and what made them good (or bad). Because I think highly of his opinion, I was persuaded to the belief that some of these simple sets are, well, worth $60. (That's what you call an influencer!)
The appeal, for me, is primarily the vibrant color schemes.
There are also neat play features obviously designed for children--and for that reason are pure fun.
The play features are inviting. I could theoretically play with my "adult" sets, but I don't. In contrast, I actually fiddle with the Minecraft sets--or at least show off play features to my husband and daughter. I don't have to exert my imagination much to enjoy these little devices.
I'm talking about features like this red lever, which pops a terrain shelf like it's exploded.
Push. Pop! Boom.
This set, by the way, is 21240 The Swamp Adventure. Tiny and accessibly priced at $10 but surprisingly packed with stuff even I find valuable.
I mean, you've got a crafting table (that brown block with a
cross-hatch top). The TNT. A nice little tree for your swamp. Even
flowers! Flowers of an unusual shade, I must add. And a lilypad for that
excellent frog.
Alex (orange head) with a silver axe and one Zombie (green head) provide creature-versus-creature action.
And there's my daughter's favorite piece: a transparent green slime. Satisfyingly cubic and glowy.
So that's The Swamp Adventure, my first foray into Lego Minecraft!