In the first part of my review of the new LEGO® The Legend of Zelda set, I choose to build the version of the Great Deku Tree as seen in the Nintendo 64 classic, Ocarina of Time. But the set also allows you to visit a more recent version of the stoic tree. In true Nintendo style, The Legend of Zelda game series has always experimented with different play and art styles. For the Link’s first outing on Switch, this was taken to the extreme in the Breath of the Wild, by offering a completely explorable open world. Anything you could see could be explored, in the most detailed version of Hyrule yet. One of the most endearing aspects of Breath of the Wild is the lack of direction, discovering things for yourself often leads to great adventures. One such quest you stumbled upon, tasked you with navigating a mysterious foggy forest. If you managed to get to the Korok Forest, you’d come face to face with an old friend – the Great Deku Tree. The Breath of the Wild version of the Great Deku Tree is the focus of this review.
Product Details
Set Name: Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 | Set Number: 77092 | Pieces: 2500 | Theme: The Legend of Zelda
Number of Bags: Bags x 23 (plastic) + Loose elements | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Ocarina of Time – Link & Young Link + Breath of the Wild – Link & Princess Zelda plus Hestu, Navi & Koroks
RRP: £259.99/$299.99/299.99€/449.99AUD/389.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online, LEGO Retailers & Nintendo Store
If you aren’t that clued up on the complex history of the Legend of Zelda games, the basic story often features a hero, a princess and some form of evil doer. These often share the same name, with most games also taking place in Hyrule, but that doesn’t mean each game is simply the same with different graphics. The Great Deku Tree has a similar appearance in both the Ocarina of Time and the Breath of the Wild. Thanks to better tech and improved graphics, the Breath of the Wild version is far more detailed. It’s also home to a group of forest folk called Koroks. This makes the location much different to the one featured in the N64 outing.
As mentioned in the first part of my review, the build begins by building Link’s House from the Ocarina of Time and the Master Sword Glade from Breath of the Wild. Then you build the base of the Great Deku Tree, and up to a certain point, this becomes the base for either version of the Great Deku Tree. Building either version requires the use of different elements with some pieces used in both versions of the set. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to move from one version to the other. This is partly due to some steps requiring three numbered bags to be used for one step. If you are careful you can strip back the pieces to base build. This does make the build experience a little frustrating.
The Breath of the Wild version of the Great Deku Tree shares some similar features to his N64 counterpart but it’s more of an area which can be revisited unlike in the Ocarina of Time. So there’s a gap within the trunk of the tree leading to a cooking spot, a Korok shop and a place to rest. Similar to what’s found there in the games. Another Korok can be found perching on the top of the tree with a third outside in the forest. These little creatures are hidden throughout the most recent Zelda games and provide seeds which can be taken to fellow Korok, Hestu. Each Korok features a unique print element and despite their size, they are quite awesome.
Although there is a gap in the tree in the same place as the mouth from the Ocarina of Time version, this is merely an entrance to the interior. The BOTW Great Deku Tree has different facial features. These are also connected to a simple mechanism which allows the Tree’s long eyebrows and mounts to move when a lever is pressed. It’s not as fun as the Skulltula function from the other version of the set but it’s still nice to have it included.
This version of the Great Deku Tree is in bloom with pink blossom-tipped branches replacing the leafy canopy of the Ocarina of Time version. But those new leaf elements are redundant as they become the branches for four smaller trees. These are dotted around the Great Deku Tree including the previously built Master Sword Glade. These add even more detail to the surrounding area of the Great Deku Tree making it feel a little more like it does in the game.
One thing I love about this set are the small details which fans of the game will adore. The plants and other details dotted about the set may just seem like simple flourishes but they all have some relevance to moments from the game such as various plants like the Iron Shrooms and Razorshrooms. Plus Bird Eggs and Acorns, are all items which can be foraged in the game and used in recipes. The side panels of the Great Deku Tree also hide a couple of extra Easter Eggs including a couple of Zoni devices and a pedestal for the Sheikah Slate, although the instructions seem to suggest Princess Zelda should be placed in there.
It’s hard to say which version of the Great Deku Tree I prefer. The Breath of the Wild version certainly requires a little more building to capture the extra detail. But there is a nostalgic allure of the Ocarina of Time version. Both are interesting to build, although the process of building one and then the other could have been tackled a little better. Simply keeping each numbered bag as a single build step would have helped with this. However, I’m glad I built both. As mentioned in the first part of this review, it’s a costly set but if you’re a fan of the games, it’s an almost perfect celebration of The Legend of Zelda series. Plus it’s much better than I expected, the official images don’t convey it’s scale as well as seeing the set in person. Plus beyond either version of the tree, the set also includes two additional builds. So you do get a lot for the price. I hope it leads to further sets inspired by The Legend of Zelda or games in general. What with this set, the LEGO Super Mario range, LEGO Animal Crossing sets and the upcoming LEGO Mario Kart line, it’s a great time to be a LEGO-loving gamer.
Get a closer look at the minifigures and the Ocarina of Time version of the Great Deku Tree in the first part of my review of this impressive new Nintendo set. The LEGO Legend of Zelda: Great Delu Tree 2-in-1 set will be available from September 1st and can be pre-ordered now.
Pre-order: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
This set was provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for this review. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Nintendo. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
