LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga, rejoice! The much-anticipated LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is set to launch on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public. This marks the third Lord of the Rings set released within the last three years, following the monumental 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the impressive 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.
Out April 5
LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest
3See it at LEGO Store
The new 2,017-piece Shire set brings the warmth and charm of the Hobbiton to life with intricate detailing. Each wall is rounded or curved, and every surface is adorned with accessories, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. IGN had the privilege of testing this set, and while it captures the essence of the Shire beautifully, it's worth noting that its price seems disproportionately high compared to its piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
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Set #10354 meticulously recreates Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole as seen 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 home, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, is designed with a cutaway at the back, revealing three distinct rooms: the main foyer accessible through the round door, a study to the left, and a combined dining and sitting area to the right.
These rooms are constructed separately and then connected with clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a cohesive interior living space. The set emphasizes the snug and homely feel of Bilbo's residence, with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers scattered around, and food tucked into every nook and cranny. Notable details include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread, and libations on the windowsill.
The set is also filled with artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures. A large chest by the door houses the Mithril Coat, later gifted to Frodo. A well-worn map on the table near the teapot harks back to Thorin and Company's journey to the Lonely Mountain. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol, adding to the home's eclectic charm.
A single mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, a clever reference to a key scene from The Fellowship of the Ring.
The rooms' design, wider than they are tall, reflects the canonical architecture of hobbit dwellings, creating a sense of spaciousness. While the interiors are straightforward to assemble, the exterior's flowing curves require more attention to detail to achieve accuracy.
Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure reminiscent of running one's hand over a relief map. The set uses multiple curved green pieces to create a natural, undulating hillside, embodying the hobbits' harmonious relationship with their environment. A tree crowns Bag End, its branches adding to the set's scenic beauty.
Additional freestanding elements, while not essential to the core set, enhance the storytelling potential. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a flying red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a set of barrels that can make Bilbo "disappear" with a turn of a dial, reminiscent of his party's dramatic end.
Overall, the LEGO Shire set is a simpler build compared to the elaborate Rivendell and Barad-dûr sets, which aligns well with the humble nature of hobbit life. However, the set's price of $270, significantly above the typical 10 cents per brick metric, raises questions about its value. For context, the 5,147-piece Barad-dûr costs $460, and the 6,167-piece Rivendell is priced at $500, both offering better value per piece. Even LEGO Star Wars sets, often subject to a "Disney tax," like the 3,943-piece Jabba's Sail Barge at $500, are not as disproportionately priced.
Ironically, despite its higher price per piece, The Shire remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans who found Rivendell and Barad-dûr out of reach. The pricing strategy raises questions about whether LEGO's goodwill and the Lord of the Rings' enduring popularity can sustain such pricing. Nevertheless, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.
For a glimpse into the set's charm, don't miss the LEGO mini-movie:
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and comprises 2,017 pieces. It will be available at the LEGO Store starting April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public.
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