Review: LEGO Ideas The X-Files

The LEGO Model is out there!

It has been quite some time since LEGO ran the 90’s nostalgia challenge, but for those who don’t remember, this was the submission that came out on top. Amidst a slew of various IPs and properties, that LEGO seem to be reaching for nostalgia a lot more. The X-Files is a series loved by many, and was even the first steps toward many taking interest in space. But how does the LEGO Ideas The X-Files set hold up? Read on!

Forest Level

The exterior, or top side of the model gives us a fantastic display piece – an alien saucer flying over a forest and first contact. The saucer is brilliantly crafted, and holds in place surprisingly well despite being attached by a 2×2 round shape. I love the working of all the angles and the use of the rubberised points to ensure the aesthetic. It’s surprisingly complex but easy to follow along. The designer should be proud.

The terrain is made up of plenty of plate work, but also mixes in some technic for the trees too. The tree designs are nothing we haven’t seen from the last few years, but LEGO provides us with sufficient enough to make it feel like a forest. I’m glad the trees are large, as it really helps frame the action in the forest when the figures are placed here. There also some sneaky frogs here too!

Office Level

Heading inside from outside, our interior is stacked with a huge amount of detail. Much like Fox Mulder’s office being overcrowded, LEGO do well to convey that here in LEGO form.

We get various NASA/Space themed items around the room, including an Astronaut, planets, diagrams and even the iconic ‘I want to believe’ poster. LEGO have also added sticker details of newspaper clippings and crop circles to the backdrop. Most of the room is made up of various 1×1 printed tiles in cabinets to fill the space, including coins, clocks, panels and compasses.

The model also allows the desk and chairs central to the room to be easily removed, allowing for easy interchanging of the display. The removeable section also makes sure to leave studs for characters to stand, and even adds a black sludge to the ground – referencing the ‘Purity’ from the show. This section also displays the show’s tagline; The Truth Is Out There.

Although the detail is barely discernible, I also like LEGO’s design of the back wall with the window across the top. It’s a simple add that elevated the build experience.

Minifigures

This set comes with 8 figure – Dana Scully, Fox Mulder, a Grey Alien (Colonist), The Flukeman, Alex Krycek, Carl Bursch (The Cigarette Man), Walter Skinner and Mr X.

All of our figures have no leg or arm printing, but come with various new torsos and face prints. Dana Scully does come with a new hairpiece that is exclusive to her, as well as the Grey Alien having a new head mould too.

Each of the figures here have dual sided heads, excluding our monsters and Walter Skinner, but it should also be noted that Fox Mulder’s head isn’t unique. The Fluke man is certainly one of the more interesting characters for the line up here, but it is strange how little detail printing it gets.

Overall, the figures here are very ‘on theme’ with their various outfits. The clear standouts are Dana and Fox, due to their colour difference from the rest of the line-up. This only makes sense as they are the focus characters, but it’s otherwise lots of grey grey grey.

Verdict

This is a LEGO Ideas set that really rings true to the original submission. The layout is fantastic and there are plenty of references to keep fans hooked.

I am not an X-Files person, and I never grew up with the show. But from what I can discern, LEGO have managed to squish references into the model where they can. The figures, being predominately always in suits, gives little leeway for the figures to improved beyond what they are. I do think the Flukeman could have gotten a bit more love, but otherwise can’t really fault it.

It’s a really cool display piece that will display fantastically. I’m personally not sure how the product will perform on shelves, but as I said, I’m not an X-Files person. Best to leave that to the target audience.