Hidden Side is latest original theme from LEGO®, which launched earlier this year. As we head into 2020, six all-new sets have been released, which expand the adventures of Newbury’s premier gloom hunters. They also visit new areas of the once quiet coastal town, as well as introducing expanded AR functions. The Hidden Side has bit somewhat of a mystery, that is up until now. Welcome the the Hidden Side is the first set to venture into the unknown realm, where all those gloomed ghouls are arriving from, but does it result in a decent new set? Read on for the first of my reviews of the latest LEGO Hidden Side sets.
Product Description
Fans of virtual reality and video games will love the amazing LEGO® Hidden Side universe, where physical and digital worlds merge in an incredible, single or multiplayer augmented reality (AR) experience. This Welcome to The Hidden Side (70427) ghost-hunting toy combines the open creative play of LEGO building toys with an app – so interaction with the model triggers events in the digital world. Digitally interactive building toy for kids This Welcome to the Hidden Side model reveals a ghostly world when viewed through a smart device equipped with the free LEGO AR app. Kids then get to hunt ghosts, battle the boss ghost Lady E and explore and solve mysteries, either alone or online with friends. And with 4 minifigures, there’s also room for imaginative role-play fun! Welcome to the Hidden Side The LEGO Hidden Side universe is set in the fictional town of Newbury, where ghosts haunt people and buildings. The augmented reality play experience is constantly enhanced through new content, ghosts and special events.
- Set Name: Welcome to the Hidden Side
- Set Number: 70427
- Pieces: 189
- RRP: £17.99/$19.99/19.99€
- Measurements:measures over 17cm high, 22cm wide and 13cm deep
- Minifigures: Jack Davids, Axel Chops, Scrimper and Waylon
- Hidden Side Spook: Lady E
- Availability: LEGO Brand Store, LEGO.com & LEGO retailers
The Build
This is the first of the Hidden Side sets to give us a glimpse into this mysterious realm of ghosts and gloom. It would seem the Newbury Subway system acts as a portal into the Hidden Side, which is depicted in the Welcome to the Hidden Side set. The set features a spooky looking tree, which has enveloped the entrance to Newbury Subway. The tree is completely black with medium azur used for small sections of it and the base of the set. These contrasting colours work extremely well together and help set the locations apart from the other Hidden Side sets.
Although the sets delves into the Hidden Side, it still ties nicely with other sets, thanks to the spooky face built into the tree. I particularly like the use of a black skeleton torso to give the face an even spookier appearance. The face of the tree also has one of the sets main play functions. Inside the mouth is a hinged plate, this can be tipped at the rest to unleash a pair of spiders and a bat. Along the base of the set to the left is the AR colour wheel and on both sides of the tree are two root-like hands, which can be lifted to reveal two yellow 2×2 plates.
The Minifigures
The set features four Minifigures, these include a new version of Jack. He’s in the same hooded outfit from the first wave of sets but he’s dappled in a pale blue hue. So all elements of Jack are new and exclusive to this set. From his appearance I assume the Hidden Side works a little like the Upside Down in Stranger Things. So when you step into the ghostly realm, it has the appearance of the normal world just a little darker and colder. Because we are in the Hidden Side, the ghostly foe look very different to what we have seen so far. Instead of taking over the bodies of Newbury’s residents, the ghost appear in their normal form. All three ghost are unique, Axel Chops is the ghostly red lumberjack. His wood chopping credentials are enforced by his tatty lumberjack shirt, furry trapper hat and of course, an axe. He is joined by two yellow ghost, although these look the same, the both have different faces. All three ghosts use the ghost tail element, first introduced with the NINJAGO theme, in place of legs.
AR Functions
The new Hidden Side sets continue with the AR functions but also expand upon them. The set can be played with as you would with any LEGO set, but you can enhance play with the addition of the LEGO Hidden Side AR app. This brings the set to life by overlaying graphics and animated elements around the physical set. Once you scan the set, it comes to life with an animated background and moving elements. The six new sets, including this one, introduce multiplayer gameplay. Up to four people can join a game and battle around the set.
Overall
It’s one of the new waves smallest sets but because of its unique take on the Hidden Side story, offers something different from other Hidden Side sets. The actual scene is a little boring compared to some of the other Hidden Side sets, but the addition of the unique Minifigures, certainly make it worth picking up. It partly ties in with the Newbury Subway set, thanks to the black and medium azur elements. Unfortunately the two sets can’t be combined in any official way. Still it’s another fun Hidden Side set and a great way to expand the storyline of Newbury and it’s ghostly going-ons.
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