It’s LEGO Ideas set #51! This one is #21343-1: Viking Village. It is the result of the LEGO X Target fan vote that took place in May 2022 between this design and two other designs that reached 10K votes, but were not selected during their original reviews. Thankfully, this set is not exclusive to Target as you can buy it from LEGO as well. The set was released on 1 September 2023. It contains 2,103 pieces and retails for $129.99 in the US. This works out to $0.062 per piece which is quite good.
The box is black with the 18+ greebling and the Ideas logo. The front of the box shows the front of the set while the back shows another view and some of the play features of the set.
The set contains 15 numbered parts bags and two plastic rope strands for the rope bridge. The instruction booklet is in a cardboard envelope for protection. The instructions include details about Vikings, the fan designer, and LEGO designers .
The first bag builds a base to what will be a blacksmith’s hut. Like many of the recent sets, this one does not have a base plate, but instead puts plates together to create the base. The plates are light blue to capture that this village is near the water. Bag one includes a female minifigure. She has a paint brush and a hammer which has printing on it.
The second bag adds some details to the base and then builds up the structure of the blacksmith hut area. It comes with some extra gear stored on the wall and in a barrel nearby. Additionally, there is a simple Technic built function that lets you shoot the flames up as the metal worker is working. I like the use of the decorative, curved piece colored in white as chimney smoke.
The third bag finishes up the shop area and tops it off with a roof. The roof is removable in one piece so you can get inside as you need to. There are also a number of trees and plants on the outside added in. Most have white pieces on top for snow.
The fourth bag builds a base for what appears to be a main chamber type building. It includes a small fire pit in the middle of the base. This bag comes with a male minifigure equipped with a bow and arrow and a quiver of more arrows.
The fifth bag adds in some details to include a back wall with a throne in front and then the start of a front entry way. There are a number of printed tiles in this build and thankfully no stickers. Yay!
Bag six adds more details to include the side walls, turning the fire pit into a cooking area, and adding in some cooking gear, weapons, a cup, and a small lantern. This bag also adds in a male minifigure who appears to be the lead Viking. I failed to take a picture of it, but you’ll see it later in the review.
The seventh bag adds in some banners on the walls as tiles inside, front doors that pivot open and closed, and then the pitch section to create the angled roof.
The eighth bag completes the roof. The roof is held on by gravity and includes a roof/chimney section in the center. I like the details and coloring. It’s pretty simple, but achieves the desired effect. Plus there are gold colored hot dog pieces.
Bag nine starts the base to the next section of the build.
Bag 10 adds in some pieces assembled which end up as rock stairs and then some drying fish on a pole.
Bag 11 builds more base which attaches to the base from bag nine.
Bag 12 connects the two bases and adds in a lookout tower, some kegs of a beverage, and adds a female minifigure holding a shield and ax.
Bag 13 adds a small room on top of the small hill-like structure with the steps leading up to it. There is a door to get in and a ladder to climb up. Inside are a few food items and a small shelf. The windows have an interesting design for a window awning. I like how they used rod connecter pieces of different sizes to make it work.
Bag 14 adds the rope bridge. It uses the two rope pieces included in the set and then you add each of the bridge steps. It’s a little challenging to attach it all, but I managed.
The 15th and last bag adds walls and a roof on top of the room on top of the hilly area. The roof is built in a similar style as the throne room building.
The set comes with four Viking minifigures. I used my own plates to get them to stand up. You don’t get the plates in the set (sorry). Each comes with their own weapons/gear. I like the styles and I’m glad they have fun facial expressions. While I’d always like to see more minifigures, I think four is a decent amount for this set. If you are looking for more Viking minifigures, check out the Bricks for Bricks Bricklink store to grab some more.
Here’s the final build front and back. From a price standpoint, it’s not too bad, but there are a lot of smaller pieces so that could be part of the reason for the low price per piece ratio. It is a pretty sizeable set though. When you connect the different sections it adds up to 18 inches long. The set has good playability and could easily be added to a larger Viking MOC if you wanted to. It was a fun build and has some good pieces. Not a lot of varying colors, but that’s to be expected considering the theme. Getting the four minifigures is a win too. Overall, I recommend the set. It’s a great build with a lot of potential. Maybe if you wait a year or two, it’ll even go on sale…
What are your thoughts?
Happy building!
