Hobbies, Family, & Geekery from a Stay-at-Home Dad
Summer is in full swing and it’s vacation time! You know the deal. Every summer we try and do at least two vacays to bookend the kid’s time off from school – one where we actually go away somewhere, and a smaller one where we …Read More….
It’s been nearly a month and Avengers: Endgame has been taking the world by storm. The ultimate conclusion to an epic 10 year span of 22 movies and it was GLORIOUS! Yikes, I still have to review it, I need to get on that. …Read More….
It’s only fitting this is my first official LEGO set review. See, way back in 2016, I… whoa, whoa, whoa, seriously?! That was 3 years ago?!? Time don’t care about anything, does it! Ok, sorry. So way back in 2016, I wrote a love letter to Ghostbusters. Growing up in the 80’s-90’s in a retired Jewish community nestled between, but secluded enough away from the mean streets of The Bronx, it was almost guaranteed that I have a strong love for two things: the Ghostbusters, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
They were basically my superheroes and role models, and probably why I have the sense of humor that I have today. I was never into traditional comic book superheroes, I only recently in my adult life got addicted to all things Marvel, so back then, these two NYC native foursomes were it for me. I think fondly of the Turtles from time to time, but the Ghostbusters still have a strong presence in my life.
Queue 2014, when LEGO and their Ideas line put out the Ecto-1! It is set 21108, but unfortunately retired. It was purchased as a Father’s Day gift by my superstar wife and I was head over heels. But, I remember not wanting to rush through building it and being done, so I tried to let it age like a fine wine. I put together the minifigures, and then put the rest away (that’s why you see some pictures were taken in our old-old house and others in our newer old house, remember, all the pics are from years ago). I was waiting for a rainy day to sit and enjoy putting it together. At the time, the kids got a lot of LEGO sets to build and play with, but I never got too many of my own, so I wanted to savor it.
And I did… for a few years. Haha. I put the set together in 2016 when the latest Ghostbusters movie came out that everyone hated but I still stand by as being a good popcorn flick but this is not the post for that argument so I’ll just leave it at that! Speaking of which, I missed out on that Ecto-1 & 2 from the newer film. I really wanted to grab it but I never got the chance and it was off shelves by the time I got the urge again. Boo! Anyway, let’s get into the set!
Personally, I feel like minifigures are just as important to a set than the build itself. And these are just freaking adorable. The jumpsuits, proton packs, everything is so spot on and LEGO-ized, I love it.
The details on the roof of the car with the sirens and sensors was probably my favorite part of the build. As the vehicle the Ghostbusters use to ride around on, I always loved the look of it. And the roof was integral to that love because it just looked so awesome with all the gadgets and gizmos up there.
Tubing going around everywhere, lights, antennas, I’m sure somewhere somebody wrote up what everything does. Me, it just gives me warm fuzzies looking at it. And putting it together was the best, how all the studs and tubing fit to make it look perfect.
Lots of detail is to be enjoyed here and it was great to sit and put it all together piece by piece. Like I just talked about for an entire post, it’s a huge reason why I love LEGO sets and building them, especially with the kids.
The way it all comes together and you see it forming into this awesome build satisfies me in the simplest ways. And having it be something so near and dear to my heart like Ghostbusters, it’s just great. Looking back, it was the perfect Father’s Day gift.
And if there’s anything more iconic than Ecto-1, it’s the Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters! Myyyyyyyy goodness, this beast was one of those things I wish I had so bad but knew I never would. At $350, it was never going to happen at the time. I say that now, as I’m constantly trying to find out how I can scheme my way into getting the LEGO Hogwarts Castle. And that want for it comes not only from it being so amazing, but because of the Firehouse I never got and always regret when I see it in collections. So one day! Hopefully.
And if you’re sitting there in regret because you never picked it up yourself, or you missed out on it for whatever reason. Allow me to point you to BrickLink where there are a good amount of Ecto-1 sets in the $60+ range. Seriously, I cannot recommend it enough, especially at that price now in 2019. Maybe one day I’ll use BrickLink for my Firehouse.
Until then, I’ll be here with my Ecto-1, enjoying the awesomeness that is Ghostbusters in LEGO form.
I’m a man of many interests. I’m like an onion, ya know? Layers upon layers that you have to peel away in order to get to know me. Well here’s another layer for you: I like to play with LEGO. It really shouldn’t be a …Read More….
This blog is all over the place, I know. As of right now I am getting an influx of visitors for all of my Game of Thrones content, which btw, FINAL SEASON, OMG! (Edit: this was written after episode 2 but before episode 3 and …Read More….
Before I get into reviewing Tom Clancy’s The Division: Broken Dawn by Alex Irvine, I wanted to take the time to both thank and apologize the good people at Berkley in Penguin Random House. A huge thank you for not only answering my pestering emails for a review copy of the book, but for actually sending it. With my love for gaming, excitement for The Division 2 which recently released, and appreciation for novels based on game worlds, I was VERY excited to get into Broken Dawn. And about a week before the book released, I got a hot of the press copy in the mail. It may not sound like much but even though I’ve been blogging and reviewing stuff for nearly ten years (!) I never get the time of day from anyone I request something from. But figures, I immediately follow up my thanks with a deep apology. I finally get my chance and it turns out to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad few weeks that left me on the receiving end of a few one-two punches that really took a toll. Somehow getting bronchitis, and following it up with something personal that I’m still wondering if I want to get into it or not here, it was just a bad few weeks to attempt any type of productivity. BUT here I am! Getting back up on that grind, brushing the dust off my scars, and staring down the days as they come at me. And with that, here’s what I thought of the book.
If you’re reading this, there’s a chance you know all about the world of The Division. But if you don’t, let’s try and sum this up: Tom Clancy’s The Division is a video game published by Ubisoft and developed by Massive Entertainment which was released in 2016. The first game took place in New York City, where a devastating outbreak began on Black Friday. The Division 2 takes place in Washington D.C., seven months after the events of the first game. A weaponized strain of smallpox caused an epidemic that quickly spread around the country, forcing the island of Manhattan to be quarantined. The disease was called “The Dollar Flu” and “Green Poison”, among other names, because it was spread using currency, which is why Black Friday was chosen as the day to begin the attack. The Division are the people who come in to help when chaos ensues. Strategic Homeland Division, or “The Division”, is a group of highly trained agents appointed by the President to save what remains. They are everyday people – commonly with backgrounds in the military, law enforcement, rescue services, etc. – but once activated in times of crisis, they are the protectors of the public when all other means of protection are gone.
Ok, seriously this time. Now that you’re all caught up, on with the book.
When it comes to video games, I have always been a sucker for an interesting story. Tom Clancy’s The Division doesn’t disappoint in that regard, giving you a living, breathing world that you feel for. And with the way the world we live in is today, it’s not far fetched that such tragedies can actually happen. One reason I love gaming is because I get to dive really deep into a universe that other mediums leave to the imagination. Reading about the events that take place in The Division paint a picture in your mind and work your imagination to let you see what’s going on. Games lay it out for you to see and explore, to interact and play with. Your senses are bombarded and you’re overloaded with actual visuals of destroyed monuments and places you’ve actually seen and touched. That said, with so much to experience and little left to the imagination, games can’t always fulfil everything you desire to know about the world. That’s where this book shines.
With every chapter that finished, I couldn’t wait to see the progression of the character and what was happening to them next.
Broken Dawn takes the world the game created, and opens it up even more, giving you details that the game doesn’t fill in.
Another aspect I loved was how it shows Division agents in another light. In the games, you play as a Division agent. But your character is silent, so there’s not too much room for attachment like other games. It’s fine, it works, letting you create your own narrative in the games, playing how you want, making your character more you. But in Broken Dawn, you are following the paths of Division agents, as well as having characters interact with various other agents. You’re shown exactly how human these superhero soldiers really are. The games portray them as highly trained, honorable protectors of the peace, but they don’t really shine a light on them as people. The book goes deep into certain agents, their thought processes, past lives, families they’re trying to get back to. It’s an eye opening look into the character type and something that gives so much more depth to the games after seeing exactly how human Division agents can be.
It took a story and world that I am intrigued in and breathed a life into it that I couldn’t imagine. If you’re a fan of the games and you’re looking for something to get into when you can’t play, you won’t be disappointed with Broken Dawn.
There’s not much more I can get into without touching on spoilers. The plot of Broken Dawn has enough excitement to keep you invested, and plenty of loose ends to tie when you get to the end. Sure, there’s some that are not tied that leave you wondering what happens next for those characters, but it’s nothing that will leave you disappointed. I’m hoping the game’s story has some sort of continuation to the book, filling in those few missing pieces. But overall I can’t complain about the ride Broken Dawn took me on. You feel deeply for certain characters, but feel even more for the country and the state it’s in. At the same time though, you also feel a sense of relief that through so much bad and death that world is going through, that people are still finding ways to survive. It took a story that I am intrigued in and fascinated by and breathed a life into it that I couldn’t imagine. It also gave me more of The Division and its world when I couldn’t get on my Xbox to play it. If you’re a fan of the games and you’re looking for something to get into when you can’t play, you won’t be disappointed with Broken Dawn.
Heads up to gamers if you’re interested in the book: There is an exclusive weapon skin you can get if you buy Broken Dawn! Just FYI in case you love that sort of thing like I do.
If you’re curious about Tom Clancy’s The Division, and would like to support my blog, be sure to check out these various affiliate links where I’ll get a small percentage of whatever you buy:
Tom Clancy’s The Division: Broken Dawn by Alex Irvine – New York Collapse by Alex Irvine – Tom Clancy’s The Division: Extremis Malis (Graphic Novel) by Christofer Emgard – The World of Tom Clancy’s The Division (lore and art book) by Dark Horse Books (I need to get my hands on this! There’s also a gorgeous Limited Edition available) – Tom Clancy’s The Division on PS4, Xbox One, and PC – Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 on PS4, and Xbox One
IT’S HERE! The Division 2 is finally out and I must say, my excite-0-meter is so high it looks like it was glued to the red. I went back and forth on picking it up a few times. Mainly because I was trying to …Read More….
It’s been a looooooooong time since I got me a new pair of headphones. I remember when I was a wee lad, writing for EZ-Mode Unlocked like I was running out of time. There, I reviewed the Sony Pulse Elite headset, which looked like …Read More….
Guys. I unboxed Kingdom Hearts III. Let that sink in. I know, I know, it’s been out for nearly a month. It’s not my fault I’ve been busy and haven’t been able to post this. But that’s not the point! The point is, KH3 is real and it’s here and it’s awesome! (so I hear)
Of course, I had to go Deluxe. I would’ve gone crazy deluxe with the Limited Edition PS4 Pro, but Gamestop made sure I kept my money in my pocket for that one. But this edition is juuuuuuuust fine. I love editions like this. Small, easy to manage. Not $200+ and still having you buy the game separate because it’s not included. No, this is a pretty sweet deal if I do say so myself.
You get the game, duh. And it comes with the retail packaging which is a great thing to have if you’re a fool like me. It’s rare you get the retail version along with the steelbook in the same package. And I’m glad they did it here because I really like the cover art for the game.
Speaking of art, there’s also an art book. Full of sketches of the various characters, keyblades, and whatnot.
It has a nice letter from the series’ director, Tetsuya Nomura, as well as plenty of cool things to admire like the detail in the keyblade designs.
There’s also a pin, which many outside of the Disney scene may not understand.
Pin trading is HUGE here in theme park land. Disney has a number of pin trading events in any given month and they bring all sorts of collectors together to trade pins with each other. This pin is a Disney pin and even has the Mickey ears backing on it. I’ve been wearing it on my hat and have gotten quite a few people randomly talking to me about Kingdom Hearts, it’s great. I like to point out to my wife that I’m not the only nerd out there!
Then there’s the steelbook. The glorious, sexy af steelbook. My goodness, it’s so sleek. The design is subtle and bold and perfect.
The only thing I can’t say that I’m a fan of is the clarity of the game’s symbol. It’s so hard to read. But maybe that’s just me. Either way, the steelbook is definitely worth the extra $20 it cost for the Deluxe Edition. Everything else was just a bonus.
And that’s the KH3 Deluxe Edition! Again, I would love if every game did Deluxe Editions like this. Well, not every game, but you know what I mean. Everyone is getting way out of control with the crazy Collector’s Editions and they need to reel it back in a bit. This is a refreshing change that I’m glad I picked up.