[Review] 7977 Seabed Strider (Atlantis)

[Luciant]

Indexed

7977 Seabed Strider

7977-1.jpg

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Set Details:
(Atlantis) Released 2011
105 Pieces with 2 Minifigs
Retail Price: $9.99 USD
Price Per Piece: $0.10
Brickset Description:
Defeat the evil Hammerhead Guardian to claim the treasure!

Walking through the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis on his powerful Seabed Strider, valiant diver Axel Storm discovers the precious golden shield. He transforms his craft into a sleek submarine to return the treasure to the surface, but can he first defeat the trident-carrying Hammerhead Guardian? Includes 2 minifigures: Hammerhead Guardian and diver with swim fins, scuba helmet and tank 2 in 1 build: Seabed Strider transforms into sleek submarine! Sieze the treasure with the Seabed Strider's grabbers! Features sea snake, harpoon, trident, treasure and rare gold elements Spin the turbines! Grab treasure with Seabed Strider claws! Seabed Strider measures 3' (7cm) tall

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Background
So after falling in love with this theme, I decided to pick this set up as well. I couldn't resist all the sales that were going on during Christmas, and after. If I can get 25% off or more, I usually buy it to lock in that great price.

Box Top.jpg

Box Bot.jpg

Box Open.jpg

Box isn't anything special. Nice graphics, at least they kept it nice and small with the relative size of the set. They do include directions on how to rotate this set, since it can 'transform'.

Minifigs

Minifig2.jpg

As you can see they've changed the colors for the Atlantis side from green to yellow. I liked the green better myself, but oh well. I do like the new hammerhead looking baddie. He comes with his usual trident.

Instruction

Inst 01.jpg

This set comes with one small booklet. It is very quick and simple to run through for this set.

Parts/Stickers

Stickers.jpg

Unfortunately this theme seems to be sticker happy, and almost every set I've seen has stickers in them :o At least they do keep them to a minimum (on most sets), so I can forgive for that. There is a small column, so at least we'll get some 'Greco' style column pieces.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Construction

01 Begin.jpg

No numbered bags, so we just have to open them all, and dig in. Only 100 or so pieces though.

02 Ped.jpg

Here is the Greco columns I was talking about. Random for this set, but I'll take it!

03 Sled.jpg

04 Sled.jpg

05 Base.jpg

Here is the base of Strider. I would hate to drive these things, no seat just handle-bars.

06 Props.jpg

07 Props.jpg

Attaching the propellers and the 'hip joints' of the semi-robot.

08 Legs.jpg

09 Legs.jpg

10 Legs.jpg

11 Legs.jpg

Here are some shots of what the legs of the strider look like. Front and back, before and after we attached them.

12 Gems.jpg

Now we add the front 'arms' that will hold the gems that we find at the bottom of the ocean.

Complete.jpg

Complete2.jpg

Complete3.jpg

Now we have the set totally complete. I also showed pictures of what it looks like in different forms of it's transformation from robot to glide mode.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Summary

Building: 4 / 5
Appearance: 5 / 5
Pieces: 4 / 5
Value: 5 / 5
Playability: 5 / 5
Overall: 4.6 / 5

Building:
This set is very fun and easy to build. Lego incorporates a nice way to have multiple ways of playing with this set or using it for other ways.

Appearance:
This is a great looking set. While I'm usually against stickers, this sets bring out the Strider even more. I love the Greco columns (I've mentioned them enough right?), the new look of the shark-men, and the strider.

Pieces:
The pieces in this set are very cleverly used. It has some great pieces that I would use for MOCs. In my opinion it even gives 'extra' pieces in that some pieces weren't really needed.

Value:
This set really has a PPP of $.095, so if you get it on any discount, the PPP becomes in the "excellent" range. While you know that I always say to buy a set with a discount unless it's about to be discontinued, I think I would be willing to pay full MSRP for this set and be happy about it. This set has great value by itself or with the rest of the Atlantis collection.

Playability:
This set comes with a good guy, a bad guy, and an AWESOME vehicle. How could you go wrong? This set works well with the rest of the Atlantis collection, or by itself. The fact it can transform adds hours of playability and options.

Overall:
This set is awesome. It brings the Atlantis set out swinging for 2011, and is an excellent, recommended purchase! For only $10 bucks, you can't go wrong. You can't go wrong.