Lazuli Castle LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
Hear ye, hear ye, this project is a castle created by BartDaiz and called "Lazuli Castle" because of the blue Lazuli (lapus lazuli) rock used throughout the castle on the roofs. It is refreshing to see a well built traditional castle project like this on LEGO Ideas with the Nexo Knights castle theme that LEGO is currently producing. Although that theme does offer some nice pieces, the traditional castle theme has much more appeal to me. For more information you can visit this project page  on LEGO Ideas here.

Appeals of this Project
This is a beautiful castle with the nice blue roofs, stonework details (both stickers and brick built), well balanced mixture of grays and browns, and the inclusion of some greenery around the exterior of the castle. Aesthetically, I really like how the green baseplate and greenery around the castle create some closure with the blue lazuli roofs. From my perspective, this livens up the build, making it look like a welcoming place to visit. Another detail that I like is the use of some light tan bricks along with the light bluish gray used for most of this fortress. To me, this gives the appearance of a old fortress that has stood the test of time. I also appreciate how there is some reddish brown mixed in here and there, as this complements the light bluish gray well.

Not only is this a fantastic project aesthetically, but it also contains several entertaining play features. As seen in the cover image above, when the enemy knights come to attack the castle, they can explode one of the towers and access the interior of this mighty fortress. Another nice play feature is the hidden dungeon, which makes good use of the piece the BURP piece 6082 (not sure what this is? search "BURP LEGO piece" to find out). Other play features include the garden with a small stream, and the hiding place under the castle wall with some gold ore.

Inside the castle is packed with many additional details. There are living quarters in the tallest tower, a small kitchen along one wall where the king and queen's dinner is prepared, as well as a great hall, complete with throne, for feasting an hosting medieval parties. On the bottom level, there is a well so the castle inhabitants have water during the enemy siege (pictured on LEGO Ideas in update), while under one of the roofs, there is an armed skeleton. Perhaps it was an unfortunate enemy? Or maybe a valiant soldier who stood watch from there during a great battle at the castle in times past?

Areas for Improvement
Overall this is an amazing project from top to bottom, and a great tribute to the traditional castle theme. The inclusion of one light flesh toned minifigure (the queen) does bother me though. In my opinion, all of the minifigures should utilize the flesh toned head and hands (does not necessarily have to be light flesh, but they all need to have flesh tones), or none of them should use the flesh toned pieces and should all have the traditional yellow head and hands. There is nothing wrong with the dress or hair of the queen, but I would exchange the flesh head and hands for a yellow head and hands.

Conclusion
This is a beautiful castle and a very fine project. If all the minifigures have the same head/hands color, I believe this would make a fantastic set if this project reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can head over to LEGO Ideas by clicking here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.


Photos used and review completed with the permission of BartDaiz.