LEGO Pharaohs Quest 7327: Scorpion Pyramid

It's some time since I last attempted to construct anything significant from LEGO so when I was given this to build with my 4 year old I was slightly anxious. No need - it was very handily packaged in 7 separate bags (one per main item) and the 2 instruction booklets were extremely easy to follow (I didn't have to take anything apart and start again at any point).

The building process was very addictive - it didn't need constant 'encouragement' from my 4 year old to build the next bag! Be aware that the LEGO youngest age rating of 8 years old is accurate and for children under 7 or 8 years it will definitely need an adult to help out with the fiddly bits. Once built, however, it is suitable for younger children to play with so long as you are happy that the smaller parts don't pose a choke (or 'putting up the nose') hazard.

Once completed (and also during construction - a total of 3 hours for an adult) it has provided hours of fun with the trap doors, scorpions, goodies and baddies, and treasure. Also, amazingly, it is still all in one piece several weeks later. LEGO have significantly expanded their usual standard set of building blocks in this set, and this really helps to promote imagination and longevity of the product - another plus point that gives you more value for money from the Pharaohs Quest set.

Highly recommended.

It's quite apparent before you even open the box that this is a substantial Lego project. With almost 800 individual pieces, it will take even the most experienced modeller the best part of 2 hours to complete. However, the build experience is every bit as fun as the finished article. There are plenty of movable parts in this design, ranging from traps to tricks, creatures and a half-track car. Some of the features are very imaginative like the hinges stairs with creepy crawlies inside, the trapdoor which drops blocks of stone on the unwary adventurer and a sarcophagus which will suddenly appear from a walled-up tomb.

The only real disappointment is that the blow-moulded base already has a good part of the pyramid pre-formed in it, which effectively means that space for moving figures around inside the finished building isn't quite as extensive as it otherwise could have been, and the moulded base itself, whilst being up to the job, is a tad flimsier than I would have liked to see.

Other than that, this is a really super model and should provide hours of fun both in the construction and subsequent tomb-raiding adventures. It's perfect for two to play together - one being the adventurers and the other the mummy and monsters.

Super fun. Recommended.

My major experience of LEGO comes from the bucketful of the stuff that was passed down to me from my older siblings. LEGO was essentially building blocks for what ever was in my imagination. However, this does not have to be the case as LEGO aficionados will be well aware that there are plenty of kits you can get that are designed to be built into something that is actually recognisable. `Pharaoh's Quest' is one such pack and comes with a pyramid, jeep and giant scorpion. There are also several LEGO men to build including a bearded explorer and a mysterious Mummy.

The pack comes in more plastic bags than an anti-environmentalist would use when shopping at the supermarket. The instructions also come across several booklets and inform you instantly to the task ahead. There is a lot of building to be done and you are advised to build the specific elements one by one - a good suggestion as once you dismantle the building etc. you may never find all the pieces again to recreate it. I enjoy building with LEGO and the clear instructions make the task a daunting one, but easy to follow. Once everything was built I was able to pass it on to my Nephews who were very impressed with the quality toys.

One thing I did notice was the base that the pyramid came with. A pre built plastic mould is already there for you to work off. I think this is a great idea as it made the finished item lighter and quicker to build. Like with any LEGO, you have to enjoy the process of building as well as playing to get the most out of it. `Pharaoh's Quest' is a kit that contains tons of fun. The only misgiving I have is that if the pieces are mixed up with LEGO from a different set, you may find it hard to recreate your masterpiece as it is so different.

A big box of Lego like this one still makes a great present for a boy or girl above the age of five, but once the main building has been completed (following the included detailed instructions), the neatly packaged bricks will be all mixed up and then become anything from rocket ships to pirate ships.
What is also brilliant with this ancient Egyptian theme is there are more Lego sets available, so you can add more mummies, ancient monuments or archeologists to the story. There is online content from the Lego website, with building guides, background stories to the characters (alive or dead) and animations of the characters in action.
Will this toy keep children entertained? Definitely. Will it keep them quiet? Not a chance (scorpion beasts make a lot of noise!).