LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire - Epic Quest Begins

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth have a new treat to look forward to with the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set. Scheduled for release on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public, this set marks the third installment in the LEGO Lord of the Rings series over the last three years, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the towering 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

Out April 5### LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

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The new 2,017-piece set captures the warmth and charm of The Shire beautifully. Every wall is rounded or curved, and the surfaces are adorned with a plethora of accessories, creating a detailed and immersive environment. LEGO provided IGN with an early copy of The Shire for a test build. While the set is charming and fitting for its subject, it's worth noting that it is also disproportionately expensive for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 brings to life Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole, as depicted during his “eleventy-first” birthday celebration. This set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The hobbit-hole is ingeniously designed with a cutaway back, allowing viewers to explore three distinct rooms: the welcoming foyer with its iconic round door, a cozy study to the left, and a comfortable dining and sitting area to the right.

These rooms are constructed separately and connected with clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a continuous living space within. The designers have paid meticulous attention to detail, filling Bilbo's home with elements that enhance its cozy atmosphere. Patterned rugs cover the floors, letters from well-wishers are scattered about, and food items are tucked away in every nook and cranny, from a wedge of cheese above the fireplace to a loaf of bread and libations on the windowsill.

The set also features artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures. A large chest by the door contains the Mithril Coat, a gift from Bilbo to Frodo before his journey to Mordor. A well-worn map, pivotal in Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain, sits near a teapot on a table. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol, adding to the eclectic charm of the hobbit-hole.

A single mechanical element, utilizing LEGO Technic, adds an interactive feature. By turning a knob, you can switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, recreating the iconic scene from The Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf reveals the Ring's markings to Frodo.

The rooms are wider than they are tall, reflecting the canonical design of hobbit-holes and creating a sense of open space. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires more attention to detail to achieve the flowing, natural curves of the hillside. Building The Shire evokes the tactile pleasure of running one's hand over an Earth globe, as the set uses multiple curved green pieces to mimic the natural terrain of the Shire, with varying slopes and erosion patterns.

This design choice underscores the theme of hobbits being in harmony with their environment, reluctant to leave or disrupt its natural order. The set is crowned with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop, enhancing the naturalistic feel.

Additional elements outside the core set include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with multi-colored lanterns, a patterned tent, and a red dragon firework mounted on a clear attachment to simulate flight. There's also Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, with the option to switch Frodo and Gandalf's legs between standing and sitting positions for staging scenes. Finally, a group of barrels with interlocking gears allows for a playful reenactment of Bilbo's dramatic disappearance at his party.

Overall, LEGO The Shire is a simpler set compared to the grandiosity of Rivendell and Barad-dûr, reflecting the simple, unpretentious lives of hobbits. While simpler, it maintains a high level of detail and charm. However, the set's price of $270 for 2,017 pieces is notably high, 34% above the standard metric of 10 cents per brick. This pricing feels disproportionate, especially when compared to other sets like the LEGO Star Wars sets, which, despite their "Disney tax," still offer better value.

Despite its higher cost, The Shire remains the most budget-friendly option for Lord of the Rings fans who found Rivendell and Barad-dûr out of their price range. Yet, on a per-brick basis, those larger sets offer better value. The question remains whether LEGO's goodwill and the beloved nature of the Lord of the Rings franchise can justify this pricing.

For those eager to see more, check out the LEGO mini-movie featuring this set:

LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and consists of 2,017 pieces. It is available at the LEGO Store starting on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public.

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