2022 marks LEGO's 90th anniversary. If there's one heavyweight new product this year, the "10305 Lion Knights' Castle" that our Toy People editorial department is about to play with is absolutely deserving of that title! It not only allows new fans to experience the charm and grandeur of LEGO castles but also brings many touching moments and surprises to veteran fans during play. Today, let's join us in enjoying the rich and fascinating aspects of this magnificent medieval castle!
▼ The front of the packaging box features the main content and all the minifigures. The top left shows the retro-style set name and number, the top right has the LEGO logo and the piece count of 4514, and the bottom right features the 90th-anniversary commemorative LOGO, with the '0' designed to resemble a helmeted figure in line with the castle theme. This time, the editor specifically invited the King Leo minifigure to serve as a scale reference!
▼ Turning it over reveals the back of the castle when unfolded, along with a display of its play features.
▼ Once assembled, the height reaches 38 cm. The width when closed is 44.5 cm, and when unfolded, the width extends to approximately 68 cm.
▼ The top features a print of the entire minifigure lineup. Just looking at it is incredibly exciting!
▼ After opening from the side, you'll find LEGO has written an introduction to the "Lion Knights' Castle" and its three factions – The Lion Knights, The Black Falcons, and Forest Guardians – in five languages.
▼ Upon opening, there's an overview of the Lion Knights' shield designs. The three shields in the upper row feature patterns from the shields held by soldiers in set number "375 Castle". They reappear after a long journey through time since 1978 – truly touching!
▼ The parts bags are numbered up to 26. Including 33+1 (un-numbered baseplate parts), there are a total of 34 bags.
▼ There are two instruction manuals, allowing two people to each build half of the castle simultaneously. Toy enthusiasts who enjoy sharing fun should quickly find a partner or friend to build together. However, the editor won't give up the joy of the building process to anyone else (a true 'worker's fate').
▼ Upon opening, there's an introduction to castle sets from previous years. Full of memories! So good to see~
▼ Here are introductions to model designers Mike Psiaki, Milan Madge, and graphic designer Ashwin Visser. Also, the evolution of the Lion Knights' crest from 1984 to 2022.
▼ So, let's start assembling! Because some great details become less obvious once the entire castle is completed, we'll introduce them all to you toy enthusiasts here.
▼ The 1/4 round curved brick, often used for base detailing, was originally used in "21322 Pirates of Barracuda Bay" to represent a sandy beach in tan. This time, with a change of color, it creates the visual effect of a woodland environment.
▼ Due to the distribution of the architectural structure, units that previously would have been assembled from two 1x1 bricks now directly use new parts in this set. This set also features extensive use of such parts.
▼ This set has many perfectly fitting angles or gaps. It's truly satisfying to place the sloped bricks into them! The curvature for setting up the water wheel is also just right.
▼ The new long Technic bricks here are not just for chimneys; they also enhance the overall stability, preventing the stacked bricks from falling apart due to force when opening and closing.
▼ The moat's stone cave features excellent rock wall building techniques for reference! Recommended for toy enthusiasts who enjoy creating their own MOCs.
▼ The method of inverting and securing curved pieces to outline the castle wall's curved lines is truly ingenious and something I never would have thought of!
▼ The building technique for the castle wall windows realistically outlines the structures and lines found in a real castle.
▼ A look at the fabric elements included in this set: the Queen's cape, and two flags, one large and one small.
Now it's time to admire the castle itself! This "Lion Knights' Castle" not only achieves its overall design in a way that better aligns with modern aesthetics, but it also condenses the design essence of classic castle sets, truly earning its title as the ultimate castle!
▼ From every angle, you'll see flowers and trees decorating the exterior walls, while structures like the thatched roof, chimney, and water wheel further enrich the overall visual effect.
▼ It looks magnificent from any perspective.
▼ The trees constructed from black cylindrical Technic bricks are remarkably sturdy.
▼ The slender "arrow slits" outlined with dark gray plate pieces, while not actually allowing LEGO weapon elements to protrude and fire, the inclusion of this feature makes the set appear even more realistic.
▼ The ramp connecting the ground to the castle gate features multiple beautiful arched designs. Upon seeing it, the editor immediately thought of the scene at the end of the Battle of Helm's Deep in "The Two Towers," where King Théoden leads his cavalry charging out of the castle gates.
▼ The small tunnel beneath the castle gate feels like the perfect adventure spot for children!
▼ Next, let's take a closer look at the details everywhere~ Starting with the right half of the castle, this section includes the castle gate, dungeon, wizard's hut, and armory, making it the more militarily-themed part; although it's only half a castle, it also features an opening mechanism.
▼ The armory on the second floor is filled with an abundance of longswords, flails, bows and arrows, shields, and helmets. It also serves as the storage location for the chains that operate the castle gate and portcullis.
▼ Operating the portcullis mechanism, turning the gears produces a realistic clicking sound. Once raised to the top, pressing the piece on the left causes the gate to drop instantly with a satisfying thud!
▼ After entering through the castle gate, horses can be parked in the small space on the left, which has a sliding door. However, it's quite narrow, so it must be tough for the horses.
▼ This is the dungeon on the first basement level. After designing the prison cells, it's essential to include skeletons. It's worth noting that if enemy forces attack, closing the castle gate can directly drop the falling enemies into the dungeon, not inside the prison cells, but they will slide into the central area.
▼ On the other side, the first basement level houses the wizard's hut, containing a treasure chest and a magic wand.
▼ This room on the second floor, with its excellent view, is the perfect place to address people's physiological needs! From the U-shaped piece, the small hole, and the item resembling toilet paper nearby, one can guess that this is indeed a medieval latrine.
▼ Corresponding to the latrine's opening on the castle wall, there's a dark brown frog piece here. However, this is likely not a frog but rather intended to represent excrement, which is incredibly amusing.
▼ This is the castle's back gate, equipped with a retractable black-striped portcullis. It appears to be the last resort to block pursuing enemy forces after the royal family has evacuated.
▼ Flipping open the rock piece reveals the Forest Guardian's base, super cool! This is a secret room with no connections to any other part, and its only entrance is behind this rock, making it extremely hidden!
▼ Surprisingly, there's another clever detail hidden nearby! Sliding the rock piece horizontally reveals a passage leading to the back of the prison cells, a very interesting design.
▼ The flags fluttering atop the battlements enhance the overall grandeur!
▼ This entrance features not only beautifully stacked plants but also a remarkably elegant archway!
▼ From every angle, it exudes the robust and sturdy visual effect of a "fortified stronghold."
▼ Next is the other half of the castle architecture, which incorporates more of a common folk's everyday life feel.
▼ The exterior walls feature balconies adorned with flowers and plants, and the waterwheel is also a truly captivating mechanism.
▼ Because this castle boasts expand and merge functions, coupled with the elevation differences created by the staircases, exploring the flow of movement becomes a truly fascinating endeavor.
▼ The thatched roof, meticulously crafted by layering claw pieces, is undoubtedly a major highlight of this set.
▼ The colors inside the second-floor bedroom are remarkably vibrant.
▼ Next to the bedroom, a highly concealed space has been set up, housing a golden frog. Not only can it only be seen through a gap when the castle walls are merged, but a staircase also blocks it once assembly is complete. This frog is definitely a formidable character!
▼ The first-floor dining hall is furnished with impressive tables and chairs, and three shields featuring classic set designs are also displayed here.
▼ Harnessing water power to mill rice! Turning the waterwheel reveals the gears on the millstone engaging in synchronous movement.
▼ The game room contains a mini model paying homage to "375 Castle," and a push-in wooden door is installed on the right.
▼ This room houses a harpsichord, and the floor, like the dining hall, features a harmonious combination of sand and light brown tones.
▼ The kitchen is rich in detail, including pots, pans, a kiln, hanging pretzels, and a sink at the back of the central area, though it becomes less visible once assembly is complete.
▼ Parts typically used as attack effects on minifigures are utilized here as flowing water, creating an incredibly realistic effect!
▼ A secret entrance leading to a small room is located beneath the market stall.
▼ After climbing down the ladder, you'll discover a target, various weapons, a dining table, a map, and more.
Having explored the architecture, let's now delve into the minifigure lineup! They can broadly be categorized into "Lion Knights and Queen," "Forest Guardians," "Black Falcons," as well as common citizens, a wizard, and a skeleton in the dungeon. With 22 minifigures, you can immediately play out countless vivid scenes!
▼ First up are 9 members of the Lion Knights and the Queen, totaling 10 figures. This includes archers, knights, and swordsmen. Beyond their exquisite printing, the diverse helmet and chest armor designs make these soldiers even more engaging and versatile to play with.
▼ The Queen features a helmet visor and shield print in a different color from the soldiers, and the lion emblem in the center of her attire also boasts a more metallic-lustrous finish.
▼ The fabric cape is absolutely stunning!
▼ Next, we see the Forest Guardians, comprising three figures: two adults and one child. Their striking red and green color scheme and the red feather on their hats are truly nostalgic.
▼ Following them are the visiting Black Falcons, also three figures. Notably, the knight in the middle wears a helmet with black printing, differing from the silver helmets of the soldiers in the previous "21325 Medieval Blacksmith" set.
▼ The Black Falcon soldier minifigure's backpack piece has a 2x2 stud configuration for expansion.
▼ Finally for the minifigures, we have the wizard and the citizens.
▼ There is one warhorse each for the Lion Knights and the Black Falcons. Both feature articulated mechanisms in their necks and hind legs, and with their magnificent attire, they truly look majestic.
▼ Lastly, there's the ox and cart combination.
【10305 ICONS Series Lion Knights' Castle】Unboxing Summary:
The colossal castle we've just experienced is, as the designer stated, the ultimate castle. From its majestic exterior, colorful embellishments, and ingenious mechanisms, to the richly detailed, beautifully printed minifigures, it's brimming with fun! In terms of overall design, this castle boasts an impressive size, a high degree of completeness, and expandable/combinable features that enhance playability. Regarding the assembly process, beyond experiencing the construction of the castle walls and the combination of space with various sloped parts, the surprises brought by the interlocking mechanisms are in no way inferior to the exquisite interior details.
This Lion Knights' Castle, with over four thousand pieces, while utilizing new building techniques and new parts to define its contours, still retains the classic elements essential to vintage LEGO castles. If you're a long-time fan of the LEGO Castle series, this set is an absolute must-buy, no matter what. And if you're a newcomer to the Castle series, congratulations, your first castle for your collection has just been decided!
LEGO 10305 Lion Knights' Castle
Suggested Retail Price: NT$ 11,999, Total Pieces: 4,514, Currently Available
