One of the more stylized Lego lines that I’ve ever encountered is Lego: Legends of Chima, set in a universe full of anthropomorphic animals fighting to control a natural resource. When I first heard that description, I thought it sounded pretty high-concept for Legos, which I only knew as those building-block toys good for constructing just about anything. But if one can look past the mythology—or embrace it, if you’re a kid—the play experience of any Lego: Legends of Chima building toy isn’t all that alien—even if the Legos themselves can seem that way. One still has to build the final product up from its component parts, and there’s still that satisfying feeling from snapping the bricks together.
My Legends of Chima toy was the Ring of Fire featuring Razar, a raven creature with attachable wings and a Speedor motorcycle. The latter was quite possibly the most un-Lego-like of Lego toys I’ve laid hands upon to date, what with the impressive heft of the vehicle’s tire, which feels like it’s made of solid metal. Once completed, using to a plastic rip cord, I was able to send Razar and his ride up a ramp and through a circle of flame, which was composed of translucent orange and red Lego pieces.
The set includes 83 pieces and is suitable for ages 6 to 12. It took me roughly 30 minutes to assemble the set; kids younger than 6 could probably do it, but the minimum age is likely due to an abundance of very small pieces, including a bunch of tiny fire cones. Also, Razar and his Speedor can go zipping along pretty fast! Overall, the Ring of Fire is a pretty fun set, but please, drive responsibly.
